Sat.May 07, 2016 - Fri.May 13, 2016

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More Money, Fewer Problems

Construction Business Owner

Profit margin shrinkage starts when the estimator prepares a bid based on the cost of completion he thinks a job might require versus the cost history of similar, completed jobs. He then reviews this estimate with the owner, who looks at the plans quickly, studies the proposed inclusions and exclusions, adjusts and lowers the crew production rates and then gives the final approval to submit.

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Periodic inspection and maintenance for brick masonry walls

BD+C

If properly designed and constructed, brick masonry can be highly durable and tends to demand little in the way of routine repairs. However, it is still important to conduct regular inspection of the building façade to identify emerging problems and to plan for replacement of materials approaching the end of their lifespan.

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Parked Tesla Goes Rogue, Crashes into Trailer

Construction Equipment

KSL-TV reports a parked Tesla Model S, owned by a Utah man, started up on its own around April 29 and drove under a parked trailer. Jared Overton, the car's owner, parked his car in Lindon, Utah. A bystander stopped by to talk with Overton about his nifty car then walked with Overton to a nearby business. Five minutes later, Overton left the business to find his Tesla had driven and parked itself under a parked trailer, suffering a broken windshield.

Utah 65
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Public Owner Recovers Liquidated Damages Even After Terminating Contractor for Convenience

Best Practices Construction Law

You can’t have your cake and eat it too. That’s no fun! Why even get the cake if you are not allowed to eat it? Recently, a court held that a public owner could have both a termination for convenience, as well as liquidated damages. In Old Colony Construction, LLC v. Southington , 316 Conn. 202 (2015), the Connecticut Supreme Court concluded that a contractor was liable for liquidated damages for project delays after being terminated for convenience, even where the project owner w

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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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10 Steps to More Money, Fewer Problems

Construction Business Owner

Profit margin shrinkage starts when the estimator prepares a bid based on the cost of completion he thinks a job might require versus the cost history of similar, completed jobs. He then reviews this estimate with the owner, who looks at the plans quickly, studies the proposed inclusions and exclusions, adjusts and lowers the crew production rates and then gives the final approval to submit.

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Record 1,500 tradeswomen attend Women Build Nations Conference in Chicago

Contractor Magazine

Over 1,500 skilled tradeswomen from 40 U.S. states, Canada, Nigeria and the Philippines attended the Women Build Nations Conference held in Chicago. read more.

Chicago 64
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Last Chance

Buisness Facilities Contributed Content

Last month, on Earth Day, the United Nations staged a touchy-feely signing ceremony for the Paris climate accord, an agreement reached by 175 nations in December that aims to curb the relentless rise of man-made carbon emissions and keep average global temperatures from increasing more than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, the consensus tipping point for irreversible global warming.

Banking 59
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Maximize Purchasing Power on Your Next Equipment Acquisition

Construction Business Owner

The construction industry is heating up, and contractors and fleet owners are busier than ever. That means firms are buying and selling equipment at a rapid pace.

Equipment 171
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3 things to consider for computation in the business of design

BD+C

Design Intelligence’s 2015 Technology Trends and Innovation report cited that firms anticipated a number of computation-centric concepts to have significant impacts on business in the coming year. Among the concepts listed were “pervasive computing”, and “design by algorithm”. There can be little doubt that these processes are taking hold in a significant way for architecture and engineering companies.

Design 63
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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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Toro Launches Music Station

Green Industry Professionals

Toro Yard Tunes on Pandora features outdoorsy-themed music so consumers can get in the mood when working and relaxing in their yards; download proceeds go to GreenCare for Troops.

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Are First Impressions Really That Important?

Help Everybody Everyday

It’s an accepted fact, right? First impressions are critical in the business world. They are especially important if you’re trying to sell services. In seven seconds a potential client will determine whether they’ll buy from you or your firm. If your shoes aren’t shined, a hair is out of place, or you stumble on your words…you’ll blow it.

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Is Rental Right for You?

Construction Business Owner

Renting equipment is a growing trend in the construction industry. According to Research and Markets, the amount of money the construction industry spends on equipment rentals will reach $84.6 billion by 2022. Why? Many contractors find ownership expensive and time consuming.

Equipment 156
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Micro apartment complex planned for artsy Austin district

BD+C

For younger adults that want a place to live in a bustling area of Austin, Texas, a new apartment complex could be an option if they don’t mind tighter spaces. This week, Transwestern Development announced plans to develop a micro-unit community, Indie Apartments, in the East Sixth district just east of downtown Austin. The 55,814-sf property will have 139 units, with 350-sf, one-bedroom units and 520-sf, two-bedroom options.

Austin 63
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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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OSHA Makes $4.6 Million Safety Training Grants Available

Construction Equipment

. . . These grants will fund the creation of in-person, hands-on training and educational programs and the development of materials for workers and employers in small businesses; industries with high injury, illness and fatality rates; and vulnerable workers who are underserved, have limited English proficiency or are temporary workers. The program intends to help workers and employers identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards.

Safety 54
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Revit Oped Podcast - Test One Two

Revit OpEd

Bill Debevc just celebrated his first anniversary of BIM Thoughts. We talked about doing a separate podcast together tied to what I do with this blog in some way. He made sure we actually started it by sending me a meeting invitation. He's doing the heavy lifting of preparing it for me. I get to show up, chat with him for a bit and wander off again.

Revit 54
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One Company, One Brand

Construction Business Owner

Developing and representing your brand effectively on social media is one of the most important tasks to consider before jumping into social media marketing. By doing so, you bring brand awareness and cohesiveness to your audience, which builds familiarity and trust.

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Underwater restaurant to open in the Maldives

BD+C

In August, Champalar Holdings Pvt Ltd. will open a five-star luxury resort on Huravalhi Island in the Maldives. The venue will include an underwater restaurant, the second of its kind in the world. Both were designed by M.J. Murphy Ltd., Auckland, New Zealand. General contractor Fitzroy Engineering spent 10 months building and outfitting the restaurant, which was submerged onto piles near a coral reef in the Indian Ocean in March (bottom photo).

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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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Cat Ready and Waiting

Construction Equipment

. . Caterpillar is standing by, ready to get started in the Cuban construction market for the first time in 50 years. CEO Doug Oberhelman, along with Caterpillar executives and representatives from RIMCO, the Cat dealer serving Cuba, met with Cuban ministers Wednesday.

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How To Effectively Use Sales Promotions

Green Industry Professionals

In a competitive lawn care market? Follow these tips to help grow market share and gain new customers who have a penchant for loyalty.

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Simplifying Lien Waivers

Construction Business Owner

The mechanics lien is a powerful tool, but in everyday practice, the true value of a mechanics lien may be in waiving the right to claim one. Unlike the mechanics lien itself, waiving the right to claim a lien can work to the benefit of all parties and can be a true collaborative, relationship-building moment. Both parties get what they want in a fair exchange, and the project can continue without any hiccups.

Lien 144
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City planners find value in data from Strava, a cyclist tracking app

BD+C

City planners have found a wealth of information that they didn't even need to cobble together themselves. Strava is an app that uses GPS to record cyclists’ routes, speeds, and riding tendencies, and it also stores the ages, genders, and other attributes of riders. Rider can use the app to see how far and fast they go and compare their marks with others.

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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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Treasury Tells Teamsters Pension Fund 'No Deal'

Construction Equipment

The Wall Street Journal writes today that the US Treasury Department has rejected a proposal to cut retirement payouts for thousands of construction workers, truck drivers and other members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Central States Pension Fund.

Deals 52
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Four Unique Reasons Small Contractors Succeed Financially & Personally

Contractor Bookkeeping

Starting And Building A Construction Contracting Company Is Brutal Not Just Hard! There are a great number of "Threads Of Success Weaved Into The Fabric Of All Successful High-Profit Construction Contracting Companies" and I am going to share four of them with you.

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Why You Need A Unified Brand Across Social Media

Construction Business Owner

Developing and representing your brand effectively on social media is one of the most important tasks to consider before jumping into social media marketing. By doing so, you bring brand awareness and cohesiveness to your audience, which builds familiarity and trust.

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Why corporate bathrooms stink and how good design can fix this

BD+C

When I started my career, I never thought I would spend so much time talking about corporate bathrooms. But the truth is people feel passionately about them. They might be the most underappreciated and most necessary spaces in the workplace. Everyone has to go there (no giggles please), and the experience usually falls somewhere between bland and horrifying.

Design 62
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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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Chubb Advisory Warns Construction Industry Of Increased Risk Of Cyber Threats

Construction Equipment

Chubb has issued an advisory entitled New Business Models, Technology Raise Professional Liability Risks for Contractors , outlining the risk of cyber threats associated with new technology used in the construction industry. Even if all the technology your company uses is email and texting, this advisory is important to you.

Risk 51
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Inside the Seattle Viaduct Tunnel Project by Drone

Construction Dive

With Big Bertha back in action, this video captures the progress to-date of the interior finishing operations, with subtext to explain how the roadway walls and deck are constructed. The drone then proceeds to go in the tunneling machine complex itself, right up to the cutter head. Read more.

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What is your brand, and how important is it for marketing?

Construction Marketing Ideas

A graphic exploring some of the concepts behind effective branding. Ultimately, client experience should be the priority. Scott Butcher , one of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) leaders, has published a worthy article about AEC branding for the Engineering News-Record’s Marketropolis blog. The branding concept, amazingly, eluded me for many years, even after I started, established, and expanded a publishing business for the AEC community.