The start of 2018 delivered a surprise for the housing market that caught many economists off guard. Total U.S. housing starts more than doubled some January forecasts, jumping 9.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.33 million units according to the joint data release from the Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of […]
Reading the housing starts data from the first quarter of 2018 reveals a construction market with strong upward momentum, even if the monthly numbers appear mixed at first glance. According to U.S. Department of Commerce figures, overall housing starts rose 1.9 percent in March, supported by a 14.4 percent jump in multifamily construction that offset
The construction industry has undergone a significant shift in how companies source heavy equipment and machinery. Gone are the days when equipment procurement relied solely on local dealership visits, auction attendance, and word-of-mouth referrals. Today, digital platforms have transformed the landscape, giving contractors and fleet managers access to a global inventory of used equipment with
Construction workers face serious health risks when temperatures rise, and the numbers tell a troubling story. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration received reports of more than 200 workers hospitalized with heat illness in a single summer, and experts believe the actual count is significantly higher. With warmer-than-average temperatures becoming the norm across much of
Corporate social responsibility has become a defining priority for construction firms that want to operate with purpose beyond profit. The concept challenges businesses to consider their broader impact on society, the environment, and the people they employ. For construction companies, CSR initiatives can strengthen community relationships, attract skilled workers, and improve operational efficiency all at
The construction and asphalt production industry faces a critical regulatory deadline as OSHA’s Silica Rule general industry standard takes effect for asphalt mix production facilities. Under this rule, all facilities must identify and document respirable crystalline silica exposure levels for workers engaged in dust-generating activities or working in dusty environments. This regulation represents one of
Construction is far more than assembling beams, pouring concrete, and erecting walls. Behind every lasting structure lies a deep understanding of building materials and the engineering principles that govern how they behave under load, weather, and time. Whether you are a seasoned contractor or someone new to the trades, knowing the essential knowledge about construction
In an era defined by soaring skylines and ever-taller towers, one major U.S. city has held firm against the vertical trend for more than a century. Washington D.C. operates under a unique building height restriction that limits commercial structures to roughly 130 feet or about 11 stories. This regulation, rooted in the Height of Buildings
Construction projects grow more complex every year. Multiple subcontractors, overlapping schedules, material deliveries, and client reporting demands create a web of moving parts that can overwhelm even experienced project managers. Without a centralized system to track tasks, timelines, and communications, critical details slip through the cracks. This is where cloud-based project management software has transformed
Running a construction business means juggling project deadlines, crew management, material procurement, and client relationships all at once. In the rush to complete builds on time and under budget, personal touches like handwritten thank-you notes and client appreciation cards often fall by the wayside. Yet these small gestures carry significant weight in an industry built
