Construction Business Owner

AUGUST 27, 2023

3 Major Benefits of Preconstruction Planning ccapoccia Sun, 08/27/2023 - 12:31 The preconstruction process is a vital phase in the construction industry, laying the foundation for a seamless and efficient project. If a builder gets preconstruction right, they pave the way for a smoother building process.

Plans 295

Plans Foundation Industrial Construction 295

Construction Business Owner

AUGUST 27, 2023

Replace Spreadsheets for Faster, More Accurate Estimating ccapoccia Sun, 08/27/2023 - 12:36 “Slow” and “clunky” are adjectives Jeff Sparkowich used to describe estimating with spreadsheets. The estimator at New Hampshire dismantling and sitework contractor S.J. Cantwell says switching to specialized software cut his estimating time in half and increased estimating accuracy by 30%.

Estimating 156

Estimating New Hampshire Software Software 156

Construction Business Owner

AUGUST 27, 2023

6 Benefits of Maintaining a Clean Machine ccapoccia Sun, 08/27/2023 - 12:46 Construction sites are often bustling with a variety of equipment, such as crawler excavators, dozers and wheel loaders. These hardworking machines are exposed to the harshest environments, accumulating layers of dirt, mud and debris day after day. The nature of the environment they work in means you can’t always keep your machines looking new, but you can keep them clean.

Environment 156

Environment Equipment Site Construction 156

Construction Business Owner

AUGUST 27, 2023

Fall Protection Strategies That Work ccapoccia Sun, 08/27/2023 - 12:58 Fall protection is a highly important topic, yet it is often ignored. Falling from elevated work locations has been a leading cause of injuries and deaths in the construction industry. Falls can hurt an employee both physically and emotionally. During construction, developing and implementing safety programs can help prevent accidents.

Accidents 287

Accidents Injury Safety Industrial 287

Construction Business Owner

AUGUST 27, 2023

The 3 P’s of Project Management ccapoccia Sun, 08/27/2023 - 13:08 Project management is an essential function of any organization offering services in the skilled trades. Project managers feel they are overutilized and underappreciated by owners, managers, subcontractors and customers. Meanwhile, owners and managers wonder why their teams cannot consistently produce profitable projects with happy customers.

Project Management 296

Project Management Management Profitability Organization 296

Construction Business Owner

AUGUST 27, 2023

Should You Rent or Buy? ccapoccia Sun, 08/27/2023 - 13:16 You have a good problem on your hands: You have several lucrative jobs running and won a bid for another that would last five to six months. While assessing your equipment needs, you realize the new job requires a mini excavator — but your unit is already in use. To complete the job, you must make a critical business decision: rent or buy?

Bidding 156

Bidding Equipment 156

Construction Business Owner

AUGUST 27, 2023

How Tech Can Improve Safety & Project Performance ccapoccia Sun, 08/27/2023 - 13:27 Some of today’s toughest challenges for construction owners and general contractors (GCs) involve keeping workers safe on the job and ensuring the overall health of their projects. Balancing safety and productivity are critical to any construction business’s ongoing success.

Safety 293

Safety Sewer OSHA Commercial 293

Construction Business Owner

AUGUST 27, 2023

June 2023 Construction Industry Stats ccapoccia Sun, 08/27/2023 - 13:33 The Construction Business Owner team compiles statistics each month from several sources, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the United States Census Bureau, to give you a better understanding of the current state of affairs for the construction industry. The statistics featured in each month's print issue are for 3 months prior to the publication of the magazine, based on the data available.

Industrial 295

Industrial Statistics United States AIA 295

Construction Business Owner

APRIL 20, 2023

Promote to rotator No Rotator Image Status of webinar Featured Why it matters, what to watch for, & the impact it can have on your business Thu, 05/18/2023 - 12:00 1 p.m. CDT A growing consensus of contractors believes labor utilization can be greatly improved with the right software. Adopting software doesn’t mean you have to change processes or workflows — it’s about enhancing them with automation, reporting, historical record keeping and bulk actions that improve your business performance and

Software 177

Software Software Contractors Electrical 177

Construction Business Owner

APRIL 25, 2023

4 Types of Construction Estimates You Need Learn about different estimating practices & why accurate cost data is essential mhodges Tue, 04/25/2023 - 14:35 Common Types of Construction Estimates Throughout all phases of a construction project, it is important that project owners have a good sense of what the total cost will be. In most cases, cost is the most important factor in determining whether or not a project is even viable.

Estimating 296

Estimating Construction Life Cycle Materials 296

Construction Business Owner

MARCH 23, 2023

Industry Statistics Show Benefits & Resistance to Lean Construction ccapoccia Thu, 03/23/2023 - 08:35 By now, most contractors have heard of “lean” construction; it has clearly gained a foothold in the practices of many contractors. However, according to a recent study conducted by Dodge Construction Network for the Lean Construction Institute (LCI), most contractors are still only lightly engaged with lean, even though increased engagement leads to meeting budget and schedule and improved safet

Statistics 334

Statistics Industrial Construction Budgeting 334

Construction Business Owner

MARCH 23, 2023

How to Expect, Demand & Achieve Excellence ccapoccia Thu, 03/23/2023 - 09:07 In baseball, achieving excellence means hitting over.300. In golf, it means shooting par. In the construction business, it means winning more than 33% of your bids and making a minimum of 5% to 10% net profit. Are you achieving excellence in your business? To achieve excellence in the construction business, companies need a written business plan that focuses on hitting goals and implementing strategies to continually im

Bidding 156

Bidding Profitability Innovation Plans 156

Construction Business Owner

MARCH 23, 2023

The Foundations of Operational Excellence (Part 1 of 3) ccapoccia Thu, 03/23/2023 - 09:19 Many engineering and construction (E&C) firms measure success strictly by looking at the bottom line. If net profits are good, companies often think they’re effectively managing their money, processes and talent. In a great economy, profitability can provide firms with a false sense of security.

Foundation 317

Foundation Profitability Security Management 317

Construction Business Owner

MARCH 23, 2023

Pandemic Problems & Possibilities Facing Contractors ccapoccia Thu, 03/23/2023 - 09:33 The COVID-19 pandemic brought about one of the most challenging periods in the history of the construction industry. Lockdowns, supply chain breakdowns and financial struggles wreaked havoc, causing existing projects to be delayed and new projects to be restructured.

Cash Flow 357

Cash Flow Contractors Plans Management 357

Construction Business Owner

MARCH 23, 2023

The Intersection of Tech & Culture ccapoccia Thu, 03/23/2023 - 09:41 With 2023 well underway, millions of Americans are still pursuing their New Year’s resolutions by hitting the gym, counting calories and otherwise pursuing the promise of transformation. These goal-setters might even include a few construction executives who want to ramp up company performance in 2023.

Contract 156

Contract Construction 156

Construction Business Owner

MARCH 23, 2023

Identify, Manage & Reduce Jobsite Hazards & Threats ccapoccia Thu, 03/23/2023 - 09:57 All construction projects carry some level of risk that needs to be identified, assessed and managed so construction projects are not negatively impacted. There are four main types of risk in construction: financial, safety, scheduling and legal. Effective risk management helps construction companies grow profits by ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget and without incident.

Management 245

Management Risk Legal Profitability 245

Construction Business Owner

MARCH 23, 2023

Moving Forward in a Volatile Era ccapoccia Thu, 03/23/2023 - 10:19 Construction contractors have become well practiced at triaging an array of pain points from continued inflation, backlogs, supply chain challenges and a labor shortage. Years of fielding geopolitical and economic curveballs have accelerated the digital transformation of an industry famously reticent to abandon traditional processes.

Contractors 156

Contractors Industrial Construction 156

Construction Business Owner

MARCH 23, 2023

Top Questions Students Ask About Construction (Part 2 of 2) ccapoccia Thu, 03/23/2023 - 10:37 At Virginia Tech, preparing for a career in the construction industry doesn’t begin senior year. Students’ first few months in the class also involve site visits, guest lectures from industry professionals and career fairs with opportunities to network with hundreds of company representatives.

Virginia 156

Virginia Construction Industrial Site 156

Construction Business Owner

DECEMBER 27, 2022

Nominate Now: CBO's Sustainability VIP Is Back. Recognizing the leaders of sustainable practices & programs. Kathy Wells. Tue, 12/27/2022 - 17:49. Construction Business Owner (CBO) Magazine’s Sustainability VIP recognizes the efforts and ingenuity of those building a better future. Qualifying nominees for Sustainability VIP 2022 include all construction industry professionals — general contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, suppliers, etc. — who have developed programs or launched initiativ

Sustainability 296

Sustainability Green Education Employment 296

Construction Business Owner

AUGUST 29, 2022

Get Uncomfortable in Command. ccapoccia. Mon, 08/29/2022 - 13:46. As a mentor and business coach, I’ve noticed an unspoken barrier or roadblock to change and improvement — it is what I call the “uncomfortable zone.” With the demands of running a construction company come additional stresses, strains and responsibilities.

Zoning 156

Zoning Construction 156

Construction Business Owner

SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

Managing Supply Chain Disruptions in the Construction Industry. Strategies for overcoming snags & coming out on top. Greg Ragsdale. Fri, 09/09/2022 - 10:34. Seemingly relentless volatility and disruption — driven by so many unexpected circumstances (COVID-19, labor shortages, geopolitical conflicts, war) — have caused significant hardships for supply chains.

Management 296

Management Industrial Construction Materials 296

Construction Business Owner

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

Promote to rotator No. Rotator Image. Status of webinar Upcoming. Join this webinar to learn best practices for companies looking to ditch pen, paper and excel sheets for more streamlined communication. Thu, 10/20/2022 - 12:00. 1:00 p.m. CDT. Outdated processes can cost you in more ways than one. Every minute field crews and supervisors spend on paperwork or manual workflows is a minute that could be spent elsewhere.

Profitability 287

Profitability Documentation Products Safety 287

Construction Business Owner

AUGUST 2, 2022

What’s More Stressful Than a Pandemic? What Comes Next. Kathy Wells. Tue, 08/02/2022 - 05:00. For two long years, COVID-19 wreaked havoc on every part of our lives. Now, with the more visible impacts of the global pandemic largely in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take a deep breath and consider what happened, what was learned and how to be better prepared.

Management 294

Management Construction 294

Construction Business Owner

JUNE 17, 2022

4 Tips for Improving Employee Morale & Keeping Workers Engaged. hirvin. Fri, 06/17/2022 - 15:24. Motivating construction workers is something that concerns many project managers, especially when the lack of motivation can lead to missed deadlines. While some delays are normal, many project managers have wondered if other delays are because their workers are not motivated enough to get the job done.

Project Management 296

Project Management Management Site Construction 296

Construction Business Owner

JUNE 16, 2022

Why Effective Project Information Management Is Key to Success. hirvin. Thu, 06/16/2022 - 14:40. The ongoing evolution of technology and the business landscape combined with continuing economic and cultural disruption have amplified the challenge of managing project information for architecture, engineering, construction and operations (AECO) firms.

Management 317

Management Architecture Engineering Industrial 317

Construction Business Owner

APRIL 27, 2022

The Best Time to Change Accounting Software. When changing accounting software, certain times make it easier on your business to implement successfully. mhodges. Wed, 04/27/2022 - 15:19. Let’s say you’ve decided to change accounting software for your construction business. Do you have to do it at year-end? Is it ever OK to change midyear? If getting new construction accounting software is the right move for your business, there’s no single right answer about when — but certain times can make it

Accounting 317

Accounting Software Software Virgin Islands 317

Construction Business Owner

APRIL 25, 2022

How to Set, Improve & Exceed Project Productivity Expectations. hirvin. Mon, 04/25/2022 - 09:38. T he biggest variable in construction is labor. Too many contractors finish their projects over budget on labor when crews work more hours than estimated in the bid. If your construction company self-performs work with your own crews, the key to success is making sure you bring in those labor costs on budget.

Products 156

Products Budgeting Budget Bidding 156

Construction Business Owner

APRIL 25, 2022

3 Ways Contractors Can Mitigate the Risks Tied to Price Increases. hirvin. Mon, 04/25/2022 - 10:11. “ Escalation, escalation, escalation,” is all I hear from clients and colleagues as they leave their Zoom screens and return to conferences and conventions. In summer 2020, the world saw how COVID-19-related disruptions affected global production and the supply chain.

Risk 379

Risk Contractors Conference Products 379

Construction Business Owner

APRIL 25, 2022

How Project Managers Can Promote Principled Approaches & Better Project Results. hirvin. Mon, 04/25/2022 - 11:04. B usiness ethics and corporate social responsibility are not new, but with ever-increasing public scrutiny of business practices and their impact on social and environmental welfare, these concepts have taken on profound importance in the modern business environment.

Project Management 334

Project Management Life Cycle Management Organization 334

Construction Business Owner

APRIL 25, 2022

6 Insurance Issues to Monitor as Conflict Unfolds in Ukraine. hirvin. Mon, 04/25/2022 - 11:10. R ussia’s invasion of Ukraine has produced a long tail of consequences stretching beyond the devastating toll of human misery. Just as COVID-19 has generated a long list of unexpected consequences, this act of aggression has produced myriad business challenges.

Insurance 293

Insurance 293

Construction Business Owner

APRIL 25, 2022

5 Common Incorrect Theories That Permeate & Poison the Industry. hirvin. Mon, 04/25/2022 - 13:31. “ Luke, I am your father.” Surely, even without the added effect of the box fan modulating the intonation, we’ve all heard this phrase uttered by the insidious Darth Vader. Or have we? If you ask even the best Star Wars fan, you might hear this famous movie quotation misquoted.

Industrial 317

Industrial 317

Construction Business Owner

APRIL 25, 2022

How to Know Whether Training Is Worth the Cost or a Waste of Resources. hirvin. Mon, 04/25/2022 - 13:37. I s training really a waste of time and money? Many are quick to respond “yes” or “no,” but it is wise to consider a few items before answering the question. Before you even begin to respond, you must understand what training truly is. When discussing the subject, it may be easy to confuse training with formal post-secondary education.

Resource 296

Resource Education 296

Construction Business Owner

APRIL 25, 2022

4 Tips to Ensure You Have the Right Parts Exactly When You Need Them. hirvin. Mon, 04/25/2022 - 16:23. A s supply chain issues continue to impact the inventory of construction equipment and the availability of machine parts in 2022, now it is more important than ever to have a parts strategy in place. Contractors who have a parts stockpile or a way to access critical parts can minimize and often even prevent machine downtime.

Inventory 177

Inventory Equipment Contractors Construction 177

Construction Business Owner

APRIL 25, 2022

6 Construction Business Must-Haves if You Plan to Get an SBA Loan Soon. hirvin. Mon, 04/25/2022 - 16:33. M any businesses would wait until they need financing before checking whether they’re qualified to receive a business loan. But with the construction scene looking stronger than ever, it’s wise to use this time to prepare your requirements if you’re planning to expand anytime soon.

Plans 294

Plans Finance Construction 294

Construction Business Owner

APRIL 25, 2022

How to Assess Your Company’s Financial Health & Simplify Expense Tracking. hirvin. Mon, 04/25/2022 - 16:45. B uilding the average 1,200-square-foot house requires tens of thousands of nails, thousands of board-feet of lumber and well more than a thousand feet of wiring. Every component needs to be specified, purchased, delivered, warehoused and constructed with the aid of workers, tools and heavy equipment.

Inventory 296

Inventory Equipment Housing Management 296

Construction Business Owner

JANUARY 28, 2022

5 Favorites From World of Concrete 2022. Kathy Wells. Fri, 01/28/2022 - 16:10. World of Concrete (WOC) has served the global construction and masonry industries for 47 years — and, every year, its exhibitors bring increasingly impressive tools, equipment and technologies to the thousands of industry players in attendance. The 2022 installment of the trade show was held Jan. 17-20, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, and hosted nearly 37,000 registered professionals at

Las Vegas 296

Las Vegas Concrete Nevada Education 296

Construction Business Owner

JANUARY 28, 2022

Infrastructure Study Finds Inefficiencies & Opportunities for Design-Build. Alex Headley. Fri, 01/28/2022 - 08:30. Travelers, the second-largest writer of United States commercial property casualty insurance and the largest writer of surety bonds in North America, has released the findings of a new infrastructure study that followed 224 heavy civil construction projects from 2004 to 2020.

Infrastructure 374

Infrastructure Design United States Insurance 374