Mon.Oct 09, 2017

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3 Reasons Your Contract Surety Bonds Are Denied

Construction Business Owner

One of the most frustrating parts of being a contract surety bond underwriter is having to decline bonding capacity to a contractor that appears to possess the prerequisite experience, expertise, character and financial stability to accomplish his/her project. The review or prequalification process is the most important moment for a contractor to demonstrate his/her reputation and the ability to meet all current and future contract obligations.

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Job-ready learning: The newest K-12 schools nudge students toward careers

BD+C

Next fall, a $74 million, 335,000-sf addition to Shakopee (Minn.) High School should be completed, doubling the school’s size to accommodate a growing population and the relocation of ninth graders from a former junior high.

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professionals

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What Matters Most in Employee Engagement

Construction Business Owner

Simply put, an employee’s direct manager or supervisor has the greatest impact on an individual’s engagement in the workplace. While organizational culture, competitive pay practices, inspiring mission statements and top leadership all have an influence, it is the daily interaction and the relationship with his/her manager or supervisor that drives employee engagement.

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AEC website design trends in 2017 – Planning for 2018

BD+C

Many AEC industry leaders are working with websites that are 4–5 years old. What was once cutting edge and trendy (for the architects among us at least) may now be out of date. Hinge’s research has shown that over 80% of professional service buyers check out a firm’s website during the business development process. And more than 20% of buyers referred to a firm rule out that firm based on an unimpressive website.

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Optimize Operational Processes With an Industry-Specific ERP

As the use of Enterprise Resource Planning systems in the construction industry is critical to optimizing operations, it's critical that decision makers conduct a thorough software evaluation to find the one that best aligns to their needs.

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Trimble Begins Construction on Colorado Campus Expansion

Construction Equipment

Trimble announced last week it has begun construction on a second building in Westminster, Colorado. With the capacity to accommodate over 1,100 workers, the Westminster campus will be Trimble's largest employment center and will continue to serve as a central business hub for several of Trimble's core market segments including agriculture, construction and geospatial.

More Trending

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Update: Dakota Access Pipeline Review Delayed

Construction Equipment

Last June, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled the Army Corps of Engineers environmental impact review for the Dakota Access pipeline “did not adequately consider the impacts of an oil spill on fishing rights, hunting rights, or environmental justice, or the degree to which the pipeline’s effects are likely to be highly controversial.

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New Arizona State University building will reach triple net-zero performance

BD+C

The new Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Building, or ISTB-7, on the Arizona State University campus will produce enough carbon, energy, water, and waste to achieve triple net-zero performance. The Studio Ma-designed building will become ASU’s newest science and research complex and include a large atrium biome filled with plants and water.

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Company Ideals Blossom into Success

Green Industry Professionals

JC Grounds Management's core values help the commercial landscaping and snow removal management company remain successful for more than 20 years.

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New app calculates maximum allowable heights for building occupancy types, classes of construction

BD+C

The American Wood Council (AWC) and WoodWorks released a public beta version of an updated app that calculates maximum allowable heights and areas for buildings of various occupancy classifications and types of construction. The Heights & Areas Calculator uses provisions in the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) and earlier editions of the code.

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The Ultimate Procurement Software Buyer’s Guide

Choosing the right procurement software is a crucial step in ensuring third-party risk management, process governance, and bidding efficiency. With so many procurement solutions to choose from, it can be overwhelming without a frame of reference and a solid starting point. This free buyer’s guide will cover: Benefits of Procurement Software –– Why do you need it?

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Dodge Momentum Index Falls 8.4% in September

Construction Equipment

The Dodge Momentum Index fell in September, moving 8.4 percent lower to 116.4 from the revised August reading of 127.1. The Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. Both components of the Momentum Index declined in September.

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How to cross the chasm to achieve construction marketing growth

Construction Marketing Ideas

There’s a classic book relating to marketing high-tech products and services that has a message even for the lowest-technology architectural, engineering and construction business. Geoffrey Moore’s Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling High-Tech Products to Mainstream Customers addresses the challenge that there are customers willing to risk and try new things, and others who simply won’t […].

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Nelson Mechanical rescues malfunctioning geo system

Contractor Magazine

Martha’s Vineyard has a reputation as the summertime playground of presidents and the east coast elite. It is also a tight-knit community with a set of shared values that come – at least in part -- from living on an island barely 20 miles long.

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Construction Industry Adds 8K Jobs in September, 184K Throughout Year

Construction Superintendent Magazine

Construction employment increased by 8,000 jobs in September to the highest level since October 2008, amid a tight labor market that may be keeping contractors from hiring as many workers as they need, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said construction employment gains would have been higher if more high school students were exposed to construction as a possible career option. “Construction firms added e

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Stop Making These Mistakes and Start Scaling Your Specialty Contractor Business

Anything that is built on a poor foundation will soon crumble from the ground up. This is literally the case in the construction stage of projects and it applies just the same during the pre-construction stage. This free eBook is your ultimate guide to scaling your business with customizable software as early as during the bidding stage.

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UNDERSTANDING EXPERIENCE MODIFICATION RATES

Safety Services Company

A business’ Experience Modification Rate (EMR) can play an important role in their bottom line and long-term strategies. Unfortunately, many businesses are entirely unaware that an EMR even exists, let alone what their number is. Let’s examine what an EMR is, how it’s calculated, why it’s important, and how you can lower it. What Is An EMR? Your EMR is the number insurance carriers look at when determining what you’ll pay for a Workers’ Compensation premium.

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Just Starting Out? Here Are Six Simple Steps to Grow Your Business

Green Industry Professionals

Here are six simple steps to help you get your lawn care business off the ground and plant the seeds for success.

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Dual-purpose paneling redefines the building envelope for transportation solutions leader

BD+C

Innovations in Transportation Inc. (INIT) was faced with a pair of challenges when constructing its Chesapeake, Va., headquarters. The world leader in developing and supplying integrated ITS (intelligent transportation systems) and ticketing systems for public transportation not only sought metal panels that would support both a dual office and warehouse manufacturing environment, but also paneling that would emulate the modern look and feel of the company’s world headquarters in Karlsruhe, Germ

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What Makes a Good Dealer-Landscape Contractor Relationship?

Green Industry Professionals

Meeting landscape contractors on the job and establishing good relationships is one part of a successful equipment dealership model.

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The Specialty Contractor's Guide to Job Cost Accounting

Supply chain challenges and rising material costs are forcing specialty contractors to pay more for what they need to complete each job. Following a simple set of principles, this easy-to-follow guide can help you manage job costs, ease the pains of accounting, and run a more profitable businesses. If you are a Specialty Contractor or Self-performing GC, you do not want to miss out on this essential guide!

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Contractors respond to devastating Hurricanes

Contractor Magazine

On August 25th Hurricane Harvey made landfall near Rockport, Texas as a Category 4 storm. Before it finally dissipated on September 3rd it would have 77 confirmed deaths with property damage estimates climbing past $100 billion.

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One Yard at a Time

Green Industry Professionals

Raising Men Lawn Care Service aims to not only improve the community landscape by teaching children the value of hard yardwork, but also the lives of the elderly and disabled, single mothers and veterans.

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Telecom Cable Company Expanding For Third Time In South Carolina

Business Facilities

Prysmian Group, a world leader in the telecom cables and systems industry, will expand its North American headquarters in Lexington County, SC. The expansion will exceed $15 million of capital investment and is projected to create 30 jobs over the next five years. Photo: Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitor Center. “Over the years, the manufacturing industry has grown dramatically throughout the State of South Carolina, creating a unique ecosystem in our region that attracts top-tier talent,

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Don't Be Too Neat in the Garden

Green Industry Professionals

Allow roots to remain in the ground to rot and leave behind nutrient-rich organic matter for next year.

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Report: Optimism for Construction Growth in the Next Year Remains High

Research reveals 96% of respondents are very or fairly optimistic about their organization’s growth prospects for the next year. The InEight Global Capital Projects Outlook also finds over half see digital technology as the greatest growth opportunity. But these are only some of the findings. Don't be kept in the dark when it comes to the future. Read the report today!

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A. O. Smith breaks ground on corporate research center in Miwaukee

Contractor Magazine

The 42,700-sq.-ft. facility will include water heater and boiler performance test labs, water treatment labs, an air test lab, as well as a number of specialized development labs.

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Nine Technologies that Could Help Boost Your Landscaping Business

Green Industry Professionals

From mobile credit card readers to route optimizers, what technologies is your business lacking that could help take you to the next level?

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Location Spotlight: Northwest Ohio – Shovel Ready Sites

Business Facilities

Northwest Ohio is home to five certified sites tailored to the food/beverage industry. Discover the major assets of these shovel-ready sites and learn how your company can capitalize on the strategic advantages of doing business in Northwest Ohio. - Read: Location Spotlight: Northwest Ohio – Shovel Ready Sites at BusinessFacilities.com.

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STIHL Inc. to Steal the Show?

Green Industry Professionals

With the Green Industry & Equipment Expo set in motion, STIHL Inc. dishes on its new products and plans for the future.

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Discover 7 Ways to Cut Construction Inefficiencies

Construction sites are often just-barely-controlled chaos. Without clear coordination, you risk everything from clashes to delays, cancellations, and missed deadlines. Get the free eBook & learn how to solve the biggest challenges in construction!

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Specification of M50 concrete mix design

Construction Cost Estimating

Concrete mix design belongs to the method of determining the ratios of concrete mix in terms of proportions of cement, sand and coarse aggregates. As for instance a concrete mix of proportions 1:2:4 signifies that cement, fine and coarse aggregate are in the ratio 1:2:4 or the mix comprises of one part of cement, two parts of fine aggregate and four parts of coarse aggregate.

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A Puppy-Safe Backyard Playground

Green Industry Professionals

Are your clients concerned about the health of their beloved creatures and backyard animals? How do you ease those concerns and create a pet-friendly, but perfectly manicured lawn?

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6 new products for the multifamily construction market

BD+C

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