Just as a physician checks your weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure to assess your physical health, construction business owners can use key financial metrics to assess the health of their companies. In her article “Business Forum: Diagnosing Your Business” published in the Journal of Light Construction, business consultant Judith Miller drew a powerful analogy between […]
Levels for construction have come a long way from the early days of the weighted string and the two bits of wood that were popular with the builders of the pyramids. Today’s construction professionals demand accuracy, durability, and efficiency on every job site, and modern level technology delivers all three. Whether you are framing walls,
The Foundations of Efficient Production Building Production building has evolved far beyond the traditional stick-framing approach, incorporating advanced materials, streamlined workflows, and integrated design strategies that boost both speed and quality. Whether constructing single-family subdivisions, multifamily developments, or light commercial projects, builders who adopt modern production methods consistently achieve better cost control, shorter schedules, and
The quest for better building envelopes has led many builders to explore Insulating Concrete Forms, or ICFs. These hollow foam blocks, when stacked, reinforced, and filled with concrete, create a wall system that promises exceptional thermal performance, structural resilience, and sound dampening. As featured in the Journal of Light Construction’s “For What It’s Worth” column,
For builders and contractors across New England, the source of the lumber framing a house or the hardwood finishing a floor carries increasing weight in purchasing decisions. The region’s deep history of woodland stewardship, dating back to the stone walls that once divided early farm parcels, informs how modern construction professionals think about material sourcing.
A cordless drill is one of the most frequently used tools on any construction jobsite. Selecting the right model directly affects productivity, fastener quality, and crew efficiency. Evaluating cordless drill performance requires a systematic approach that goes beyond manufacturer specifications. Whether you are comparing two models side by side or building a complete toolkit, understanding
Twenty years ago, kitchen cabinetmakers and builders operated with a handful of simple design rules for appliances: provide openings of 33 inches for a refrigerator, 30 inches for a freestanding kitchen range, and 24 inches for a dishwasher. Those days are long gone. The modern trend is toward sophisticated built-in appliances that demand far tighter
Modern kitchen design has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades. Gone are the days when builders could simply leave a 30-inch opening for a range and a 33-inch gap for a refrigerator and call it done. Today’s built-in appliances come with increasingly tight tolerances, complex installation requirements, and frustrating inconsistencies between what
Every builder knows that the right tool or material can make the difference between a job that drags on and one that flows smoothly. For What It’s Worth, JLC’s regular roundup of curious, interesting, and useful products, has been highlighting game-changing innovations for years. From bendable wallboard that solves tricky curved walls to abrasives that
The construction industry in New England has long been shaped by the region’s harsh winters, historic building stock, and evolving regulatory landscape. Today’s builders face two pressing challenges: constructing homes that meet modern energy performance standards while managing rising insurance and operational costs. The lessons emerging from projects across Maine, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire
