Sat.Jul 06, 2013 - Fri.Jul 12, 2013

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Six Ways to Control Rising Commercial Construction Costs

HardHatChat

'The summer construction season often brings rising costs. Englewood recently began work on Season’s 52 in Chicago. Construction season is upon us, and you know what that means…rising commercial construction costs. The summer always brings more commercial construction activity, more bids, and, as a result, higher pricing. Many general contractors decide to lower their risk and start commercial construction projects in the warmer months, paying a premium for nice weather, but assuring timel

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The Importance of Online Reviews For Construction Brands

Construction Marketing

'The local search war for construction and construction-related brands is heating up and rankings in search engine results pages (SERPs) are increasingly important. One element of your local search-ranking factor is the number and quality of reviews your business receives. And for construction service brands this is even more critical, as outside recommendations carry more weight in the consumer’s mind.

professionals

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Hopping off the Treadmill

Viewpoint Construction Technology

'I was asked recently where I get ideas for my blog. A number come from things I encounter during the course of the day, but many times my topics occur to me when I go for a run. Which is usually outdoors, even in the Seattle drizzle. But on days when the drizzle turns more substantial, I hop on the treadmill.

Seattle 189
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FMI Releases Q2 2013 Construction Outlook Report

Construction Business Owner

'RALEIGH, N.C. (July 8, 2013) – FMI, a provider of management consulting and investment banking to the engineering and construction industry, has released its Q2 2013 Construction Outlook. The strength of individual markets is shifting, reducing annual construction-put-in-place predictions to $913 billion, a 7% growth from 2012. This is down nearly $6 billion from the $918,897 million, 8% growth estimated in the Q1’s Outlook.

Raleigh 169
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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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Emerging issues in safety: Risk assessment, sustainability

FDR Safety

'At the recent ASSE Professional Development Conference in Las Vegas there were two emerging issues that seemed to be moving to the front burner. The first is risk assessment. In the mid-‘90s, when I was part of the National Safety Council’s Institute for Safety through Design (now “sunset”), risk assessment was more of a concept and vision than a reality for most organizations in the U.S.

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World's best new skyscrapers [slideshow]

BD+C

'A jury of high-rise design and construction professionals has selected four regional winners in the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat''s 2013 Best Tall Building Awards , which honor the world''s best new skyscrapers each year. Body Image: read more.

Materials 110
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Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation's Q3 Outlook

Construction Business Owner

'WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 10, 2013) – Investment in equipment and software is expected to grow 4.8 percent in 2013, according to the Q3 update to the 2013 Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook released today by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation. The Foundation decreased its 2013 forecast from the 5.6 percent growth predicted in its Q2 Outlook, due to slightly slower than expected growth in investment in the first and second quarters.

Leases 142
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Big Box Landscaping. Careful What You Wish For

Green Industry Professionals

'It might look like the industry''s giants are sitting atop the world. But Big Box Landscaping isn''t all it''s cracked up to be. Here are nine reasons why.

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Made in America

Contractor Magazine

'American manufacturing is back, stronger than ever. We’re celebrating the Made in America movement by U.S. manufacturers. Products that might have been made abroad a decade ago are now being manufactured here. In a feature entitled “Made In The USA,” Time magazine stated, “the U.S. has seen its manufacturing growth outpace that of other advanced nations, with some 500,000 jobs created in the last three years.

America 100
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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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12 award-winning healthcare projects [slideshow]

BD+C

'The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) has selected the recipients of the AIA National Healthcare Design Awards program. The AIA Healthcare Awards program showcases the best of healthcare building design and healthcare design-oriented research. Body Image: read more.

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American Subcontractors Association Names Richard Bright Chief Operating Officer

Construction Business Owner

'ALEXANDRIA, Va. (July 9, 2013) — Richard Bright, founder and president of the sales and marketing consulting firm Bright Concepts Inc., Elkridge, Md., has been named chief operating officer of the American Subcontractors Association, effective July 1, 2013. As chief operating officer, Bright will manage all non-advocacy-related aspects of ASA, including membership development, chapter relations, communications, and operations/administration.

Office 130
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Case equipment lends a helping hand

Digger Blog

'During June, bridges, roads, homes and forest trails in many urban areas were affected by the heavy rain that led to flooding throughout the entire Aran Valley (Lleida), in the North of Spain and the overflowing of the Garona river on its way through the town of Vielha. The emergency situation was dealt with quickly and the water had barely begun to receed when the first Case equipment turned up onsite, in an attempt to help the thousands of affected inhabitants return to normal.

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Five Minutes Working with Rotated Views

Revit OpEd

'A common question from people with experience using AutoCAD is, "Does Revit have a UCS too?". There isn''t a literal equal tool in Revit, no UCS button. In Revit we manipulate views to make it easier to work with different orientations. This means making some extra views. We can move back and forth between any number of views, as often as necessary.

Revit 73
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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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TED talk: Architect Michael Green on why we should build tomorrow's skyscrapers out of wood

BD+C

'In a newly posted TED talk, wood skyscraper expert Michael Green makes the case for building the next-generation of mid- and high-rise buildings out of wood. His mission: Solve architecture’s biggest challenge -- meeting worldwide housing demand without increasing carbon emissions -- by building with carbon-sequestering wood instead of concrete and steel.

Green 106
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Construction Unemployment Falls to 9.8 Percent

Construction Business Owner

'(July 5, 2013) - The unemployment rate for construction workers fell below double digits in June for the first time since 2008 as every segment of the industry added employees, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the relatively positive jobs report for the sector highlights the need to address potential shortages of skilled and entry-level workers.

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The all-American retrofit

Contractor Magazine

'Buy fresh, buy local. WESTWOOD, MASS. — All along the East Coast, oil-fired hydronic heat has been the choice for many decades. In numbers not seen before, homeowners are making the switch to natural gas. Lower fuel cost, higher efficiencies and a preference for “home turf fuel” have all played a role. Some homes are beyond the reach of gas utility lines, so switching simply isn’t an option.

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New Jersey Developer Sues NFL Teams

Construction Equipment

'Triple Five, developers on the American Dream Meadowlands project in the Meadowlands, N.J., sued the New York Giants and Jets, claiming the teams have interfered with construction and breached a 2006 contract, according to northjersey.com. The National Football League teams filed a lawsuit to prohibit the construction of indoor water and amusement parks at the site, located across the street from the MetLife Stadium.

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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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5 innovations in high-rise building design

BD+C

'The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has named two winners and three finalists of its 2013 Innovation Award. Body Image: read more.

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Sonnhalter Partners with Habitat for Humanity for the Fourth Annual Sonnhalter Tool Drive

Construction Business Owner

'BEREA, OHIO (July 2013) – Sonnhalter, a communications firm marketing to the professional tradesman in the construction, industrial and MRO markets, is partnering with Habitat for Humanity again for the fourth annual Sonnhalter Tool Drive, during the month of August. .

Ohio 120
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Apps to streamline your workday

Contractor Magazine

'ServiceMax, www.servicemax.com , is a cloud-based, subscription based suite of modular applications for field service management of any size field service operation. The solution can be accessed via a web browser on iPhones, smartphones and tablets, as well as by laptops and desktops. read more.

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Volvo ECR88 Plus tempts AJC Civils

Digger Blog

'That's him above, on the left, taking delivery from Volvo’s regional business manager Charlie Flaws. Based in Campbeltown in Argyllshire, Jamie has had five good years operating his previous ECR88 Plus. “Bearing in mind our location it’s vitally important we operate reliable equipment and to be honest I cannot fault the ECR88,” he says.

Roads 63
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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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DOE releases stricter energy efficiency standards for new federal buildings taking effect in 2014

BD+C

'The Energy Department released stricter energy efficiency standards this month for new federal buildings. The standards, which will take effect next July, are expected to result in source energy savings 18.2% above the current requirement for existing buildings. The DOE says that this translates to a cost savings of roughly "$1.74 billion over 30 years.

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Ritchie Bros. Announces Retirement of President

Construction Business Owner

'VANCOUVER, BC (July 5, 2013) – Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world’s largest industrial auctioneer, announced the retirement of Rob Mackay, its President, effective October 31, 2013. After 28 years of service in many different capacities, all based in the Ritchie Bros. head office in Vancouver, British Columbia, Mr. Mackay will transition from day-to-day duties and then retire as an employee on October 31, 2013.

Office 120
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Crockett Facilities Services’ President Receives Baltimore 2013 SmartCEO Brava! Award

Contractor Magazine

'Cynthia Crockett among 25 women business leaders honored for their achievements. Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. (CFSI) , a leading provider of building operations and maintenance, mechanical contracting and HVAC services to government and commercial clients, today announces that president Cynthia Crockett was named a 2013 SmartCEO Brava! Award winner.

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Big Box Landscaping. Careful What You Wish For

Green Industry Professionals

'It might look like the industry''s giants are sitting atop the world. But Big Box Landscaping isn''t all it''s cracked up to be. Here are nine reasons why.

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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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Lawsuit challenges modular apartment project in New York City

BD+C

'A plan to build pre-fab apartment buildings at Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn, N.Y., has been challenged by a lawsuit filed by the Plumbing Foundation in Manhattan Supreme Court. The suit alleges that the project, using modular units with more than 60% of the construction of the residential portion of the project surrounding the Barclays Center to be completed off-site, ignores key building safety rules. read more.

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Recent Files and Worksharing

Revit OpEd

'Just don''t do it. Don''t use the Recent Files page/list if you are actively working on projects that use worksets (worksharing). Why? All too often I find people click on the links that are offered there instead of clicking Open to browse to the location of the Central File to create a new local file. The Recent Files page that opens (if you let it) will offer you the last few files you worked on.

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Steam to hot water conversion

Contractor Magazine

'Customers with steam heating systems often ask about the possibility of converting to hot water and it’s been my experience that this request is driven by three basic needs: No. 1 is reducing the annual operating costs; No. 2 is uneven distribution of heating; and No. 3 is safety due to small children or elderly being burned (1-PSI steam delivers 215°F radiator surface temperature). read more.

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