Sat.Aug 09, 2014 - Fri.Aug 15, 2014

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3 Tips to a Successful High-End Restaurant Construction Project

HardHatChat

'Recently, Englewood completed the 23,000-square-foot Harry Carays 7th Inning Stretch and Chicago Sports Museum at Chicagos famed Water Tower Place. Theres no question about it, commercial construction is back in a big way in the Chicago area, as Crains Chicago Business recently reported in a story featuring Englewood Construction , activity of is up 16 percent when compared to the same time period last year for all commercial construction.

Chicago 278
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By the Numbers: The Real Benefits of Telematics

Construction Business Owner

'Telematics and fleet management technologies can save contractors time and money. The following data shows the bottom-line benefits of fleet optimization in on-road vehicles. Source: FleetBeat Report Volume 1 by Fleetmatics. For more information, visit [link].

Roads 184
professionals

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Bluebeam Tip: Autosequencing for RFI Text Box Markups

Carol Hagen

'Many construction firms hyperlink RFIs on their plans. They cloud the area pertaining to the RFI, add a text box and type in “RFI-100″ then add the hyperlink. This tip shows you how to make the text box auto fill with the next available number on your document. You’ll want to add this to your custom tool today! Create a text box with no text in it.

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Attend Greenbuild: The Best Way To Grow Your Business

Green Building Law Update

'I was delivering a lunchtime speech to a group of real estate professionals yesterday and the first question I received was “ how can I expand my green building business? ” I retell that because it is a variation of the question I receive most often these days about green building. My answer is simple. Attend the U.S. Green Building Council’s annual Greenbuild Conference and Expo.

Green 120
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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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Digital Dryshack #69: Japan, Lean, Six Sigma

Cassell Construction Estimating

'I spent the second week of July in Japan, providing US Cost Success Estimator training to NAVFAC engineers at the Yokosuka Naval Base. Located on the south end of Tokyo Bay, the base is the headquarters for the US Pacific Fleet in Asia. I had the pleasure to work with Derek and Mark, talented civilian American expatriates currently assigned to the Navy’s IT and Management operations in Yokosuka, (pronounced “Yo-kus-ka”).

More Trending

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First look: Calatrava's futuristic Main Building opens at Florida Polytechnic University

BD+C

'The new Florida Polytechnic University whose 170-acre campus and iconic Main Building (pictured) were designed by architect Santiago Calatravawill formally mark its opening on August 16 with a ceremony at the campus in Lakeland, Fla. The university is Floridas 12th and newest member of the State University System and will welcome its first students later in August.

Florida 101
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Promote the plumbing trade: recruiting high school students

Contractor Magazine

'A handful of the most recent issues in the industry, affecting all contractors, are education and training, residential fire sprinklers, green building, and lead free piping. All these issues warrant further investigation (we have done intensive articles on all these topics throughout the years). However, the one topic that intrigues me going forward is recruiting.

Education 108
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Wind Load Simulation in Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional Whitepaper

BIM & Beam

'I am happy to share with you another whitepaper. This time it is a document on Wind Load Simulation in Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis. This whitepape is also available on the iBooks Store.This book is available for download with iBooks on your Mac or iPad, and with iTunes on your computer. .

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Then and Now: 2004 to 2014

Construction Business Owner

'2004. 2014. Price of gasoline per gallon. Annual value of construction put in place. $988.5 billion. $956.1 billion. Movie ticket price.

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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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Museum of Mayan Culture draws inspiration from temple design [slideshow]

BD+C

'The Museo Maya de América in Guatemala City will be the world’s largest museum of Mayan history and culture, at 60,000 sf. Designed by Swiss firm Harry Gugger Studio, Boston-based interdisciplinary design firm over,under, and Seis Arquitectos, the museum will be located on the northern edge of L’Aurora Park and feature artifacts, artworks, and textiles.

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The Five Best Ways to Reduce Fleet Fuel Costs

Contractor Magazine

'Fuel prices are expected to hold steady in 2014, but the need for businesses to stay competitive while keeping operating costs down remains strong. Since fuel is the largest fleet operating expense, efficient fuel utilization is essential. read more.

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Listen to Me Share Proposal Wisdom And Make A Fool Of Myself

Help Everybody Everyday

'I’ve been experimenting with podcasting lately. I recently appeared as a guest on two construction-related podcasts. I thought I’d share these with you because I drop some proposal wisdom and I clear up any misconception about what I do for a living (spoiler alert: I have a job just like you). Construction Industry Podcast. In this first one ( which you can hear here ) I speak with Cesar Abeid about proposals.

US 65
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Top 10 CBO Covers: Staff Picks

Construction Business Owner

'August 2004 (premier issue). January 2005. February 2011. August 2012. February 2014. March 2014.

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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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Periscope structure gives public toilet an unobstructed sea view

BD+C

'Planned on a site with stunning views of the Baltic Sea, it would’ve been a pity to sacrifice great scenery for the sake of privacy when designing a public toilet structure in Gdynia, Poland. But Polish architect Adam Wiercinski came up with a solution: periscopes. This allows the user to observe the sea from a mirror instead of the traditional window, placed conveniently above the sinks.

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Is There A Future For Drone Use in Construction?

Construction Dive

'By Paul Levin Survey ResultsAerial photography is the obvious first reaction when you ask a contractor about the use of drones in construction. This is born out from the results of a short survey we conducted last week (more on that later). Technology advances, ready access and low entry cost have made the photography aspect a practical reality; and the industry is finding other creative uses as well.

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Ribbon Panel Titles are Missing

Revit OpEd

'The ribbon User Interface will let us turn off the ribbon''s panel titles. I''ve never bothered to do this and today I was asked why a user''s ribbon was missing them. I blanked.uh, um, graphics driver issue? While I was trying to make my brain work, he decided to right-click and saw this. Add another troubleshooting saying to add to our collection, "When in doubt right click"!

US 66
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Stolen Tires Recovered With Fleet Tracking

Construction Equipment

'Transtar Transportation Inc. recovered $120,000 worth of stolen assets with the NexTraq GPS Fleet Tracking solution. Transtar Transportation, which delivers Hankook tires throughout the western U.S., implemented a fleet tracking solution to help monitor delivery progress, but soon realized unforeseen benefits when NexTraq was able to help them track down 1,112 stolen tires.

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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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Vietnam's 'dragonfly in the sky' will be covered in trees, vegetation

BD+C

'FPT University in Hanoi, Vietnam, has released plans for a new administrative building that will snake across 10 acres of land. Designed by Vietnamese design firm Vo Trong Nghia Architects, the building will be made up of stacked concrete blocks placed slightly askew to create a soft, organic form that the architects say is reminiscent of a dragonfly in the sky.

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The Age-Old Question: Who Should be Involved in BD?

PSMJ Resources

'The answer, according to PSMJs salary survey, is almost everyone! From the Chairman of the Board to a junior project manager, your people need to be involved. And who better to sell your firm and services than those who know it best. Heres the breakdown of average percent time spent on BD activities by personnel category, as reported in the 2013 PSMJ A/E Management Compensation Benchmark Report : Position Time Allocated to BD Activities (%) Chairman of the Board 30 Chief Executive Officer

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The Problem with Disguised Sole-Source Specifications

Construction Dive

'By Bruce Jervis Sole-source or proprietary specifications are generally prohibited on public construction contracts. Private project owners are free to stipulate the precise product they want incorporated into their property. Public project owners are supposed to maintain open competition, specifying functional characteristics, not brand name or source of supply.

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Johnstone Supply launches national mercury thermostat recycling campaign

Contractor Magazine

'The leading cooperative HVACR wholesale distributor with more than 375 independently owned store locations partners with Thermostat Recycling Corporation. Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) applauds Johnstone Supplys huge effort to enhance its thermostat recycling at more than 380 locations nationwide. read more.

Green 70
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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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Shading prototype could allow new levels of environmental control for skyscraper occupants

BD+C

'Anyone who works in an office knows that there are coworkers who are always complaining about how hot it is, and others who always seem bundled up from head to toe. Body Image: read more.

Office 77
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Donaldson to Acquire Northern Technical

Construction Equipment

'Donaldson Company Inc.’s wholly owned subsidiary, Donaldson Europe BVBA – UAE Branch, has entered into an agreement to acquire Northern Technical LLC, a manufacturer of gas turbine inlet air filtration systems and replacement filters. The acquisition is expected to close in September, subject to normal closing conditions. Other terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

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AIA???s Updated Design-Build Documents Highlight Some Best Practices

Best Practices Construction Law

'The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently released seven updated documents in its design-build family. According to AIA, the 2014 Design-Build documents enhance the early interaction between the Owner and the Design-Builder, calling for clearly defined and mandated Owners Criteria for the Project and requiring submission of a Preliminary Design by the Design-Builder.

AIA 54
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Are You Ready to Retire?

Green Industry Professionals

'Tips to help landscape contractors begin tucking some money away for when they finally trade in their string trimmers for golf clubs.

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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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First look: RMJM’s 'jumping fish' tower design for the Chinese Riviera

BD+C

'A step closer to getting up to par with its architecturally glitzy neighbors, Macau, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen, the city of Zhuhai, China, has selected a design by Scottish architecture firm RMJM as the winner of a competition for the newest addition to the city''s skyline: the Doumen Observation Tower. Body Image: read more.

Design 75
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Briggs & Stratton to Acquire Allmand Bros.

Construction Equipment

'Briggs & Stratton Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire U.S.-based Allmand Bros. Inc. Founded in 1938 and based in Holdrege, Neb., Allmand is a designer and manufacturer of towable light towers, industrial heaters, and solar LED arrow boards. Allmand has sales of approximately $80 million annually. Briggs & Stratton will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Allmand for approximately $62 million in cash, subject to customary due diligence and working capital adjust

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Choosing QuickBooks Version For Your Contracting Company

Contractor Bookkeeping

'Which QuickBooks Is Best For Your Construction Company? QuickBooks Pro - Is great for contractors acting as Sole Proprietor with annual sales under $100,000 who simply need a way to keep track of basic income and expenses. You can set it up really basic and simple to do most everything in the check register. When you spend money record it in the check register as an expense and when you receive money record it as income.