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Housing industry looks past December to the year ahead

Michael J. Berens Construction & Building Materials

Housing activity across the board slumped in December as the industry continued its pattern of waxing and waning growth. Despite the decline, final estimates show the industry came out ahead for the year.

Cleveland Clinic setting the bar for green facilities

Scott E. Rupp Facilities & Grounds

For more than a decade, the famed Cleveland Clinic has undertaken a systemwide sustainability drive to make the health system green and reduce its carbon footprint. Health Facilities Management magazine points out that the effort includes energy- and water-reducing strategies, energy-efficient facility design, environmentally-friendly purchasing and an aggressive recycling effort.

Mudslides devastate Montecito, California

Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & Environmental

After a deluge of rain was forecasted following containment of the Thomas Fire — the largest fire in California history — the prediction of mudslides was a bit much for Santa Barbara County residents. Now, the affluent town of Montecito, population 10,000, has reported 20 dead, with the death count expected to rise as recovery workers wade slowly and cautiously through new mud terrain.

Uncertainty dampens homebuyer confidence

Michael J. Berens Construction & Building Materials

Despite signs of a strengthening economy, low unemployment and a promise of lower taxes, consumer confidence fell in December, having crept up to a 17-year high in November. Weighing on consumers' minds were their prospects for employment and financial security in the coming year. Those concerns spilled over into their plans to purchase a home as well, with fewer consumers feeling that now is a good time to buy.

Cannabis habitats: Hemp as a building aid comes of age

Bill Becken Construction & Building Materials

Despite the recent Justice Department ruling, the forward march continues toward pervasive legalization of the plant cannabis sativa. A survey of U.S. state marijuana laws shows that, as of 2018, a decisive majority of states have legalized medicinal use of marijuana — and some even its recreational use (in seven states and the District of Columbia). Not surprisingly, legal cannabis businesses are expanding and multiplying across America.

How SBA’s latest changes affect small contractors

James D. Burbank Construction & Building Materials

On Sept. 20, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) put into effect two major changes to their Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) Program, which were first announced in August. The primary goal of these changes is to increase the chances of winning government contracts for small-scale contractors.

Building America

Marc Cheves Construction & Building Materials

During a downturn in the early 1990s, I had to lay off an excellent career instrument man. He was one of many who were shown the door in that dark time. But what made it even worse for this particular individual was the fact that it was the second time the company had laid him off. The first was after another earlier downturn.

Housing market in 2018 likely to be more of the same

Michael J. Berens Construction & Building Materials

Early forecasts of next year's housing market exhibit trends that will look familiar to builders and realtors. Although they vary somewhat in the details, the forecasts predict yet another year of tight inventories, rising prices and low rates of home ownership. These trends will be ameliorated somewhat, but experts anticipate it will not be until late 2019 or 2020 before the market evens out.

Filing a mechanics lien is great protection — but only if it’s…

Nate Budde Construction & Building Materials

The ability to file a mechanics lien is a powerful tool for construction industry participants to guard against nonpayment. Possessing a valid, enforceable mechanics lien can virtually guarantee that a construction company will get paid for the work performed or materials furnished.

Scope it out: How to design and build what’s needed

Curtis Skolnick Healthcare Administration

Planners are often asked to test a facilities concept, define how much space it will take and determine how much it will cost to complete. These questions are useful in the early-concept phase of a project, but the basis for planning is missing: What am I solving for, and how does this potential "bricks and mortar" solution meet a defined service, market or strategic need of the organization?

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