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Lien laws can change drastically — Make sure your procedures change with…

Nate Budde Construction & Building Materials

Mechanics lien rules and requirements are complex and demand strict compliance. With the high stakes associated with providing proper notice and protecting lien rights, it would be nice to be able to assume the laws remain relatively constant. Unfortunately, however, lien laws are not static. While most changes are relatively minor — in that the change only modifies a single requirement (or a small handful) — there is the real possibility that a state's entire lien law scheme can be altered. When this type of wholesale change occurs, anybody left unaware can be left scrambling to catch up, or just left unprotected.

Elder tech: The next level in age‑friendly housing

Michael J. Berens Construction & Building Materials

Builders have come a long way from the days when putting in a ramp, some grab bars and maybe a wheel-chair accessible bathroom was regarded as design for aging. As the nation's older population has expanded, builders have adopted accessibility and visitability standards and universal design principles into their properties — both single-family and multifamily.

Being a good 3-D neighbor

Wendy Lathrop Construction & Building Materials

Ownership of land runs from the highest point in the heavens to the center of the earth — or so we are generally informed as we surveyors begin our studies of real property characteristics. However, that vast expanse of ownership does not equate to full possession when it comes to such things as allowing airplanes and satellites cross the skies above us; some aspects are beyond an owner's full control. Neighbors above and below us have rights, too.

Where are the women? Male-dominated workplaces need to diversify

Danielle Manley Distribution & Warehousing

Over the past century, women have made significant strides in achieving equality in workplaces, everything from narrowing the pay gap to increasing women in leadership and senior management roles. However, when taking a closer look at individual industries, it's apparent that the push for gender equality is just beginning to affect traditionally male-dominated industries like construction and mining.

Can housing sustain its ‘Trump bump’?

Michael J. Berens Construction & Building Materials

Nearly every major indicator of housing market performance trended upward in February, capping one of the best beginning-of-the-year starts since the Great Recession. The only reported weakness was in sales of existing homes — and that, according to analysts, was due a lack of adequate supply, not lack of demand.

Build a foundation of trust on your team

Sue Dyer Construction & Building Materials

Have you ever worked on a team where it seemed like everyone was working against each other? Trust erodes into a war, and it's no surprise when such a project or initiative fails. Sometimes you just wish there were a way to get everyone on the same page.

How can we apply democratic principles to risk management?

Rasoul Abdolmohammadi Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill seemed to have a problem with democracy. He famously said, "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried." Greek philosopher Plato agreed, putting democracy near the bottom of his list of five types of government (aristocracy, timocracy, oligarchy, democracy and tyranny).

Wealthiest Americans spending more on home improvement

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Spending on home improvement has been hovering at record levels for the past two years and is expected to remain strong throughout 2017. Affluent Americans, whose wealth has increased considerably in recent years, account for a substantial portion of the market. Recent reports of consumer spending in 2016 indicate that, on average, affluent households spent more on home improvement last year than in previous years. Larger expenditures have become more concentrated among the wealthiest households.

The difference between fair and fraudulent mechanics liens

Nate Budde Construction & Building Materials

Mechanics liens are extremely powerful tools for protection against nonpayment in the construction industry. Just like any powerful tool, however, mechanics liens can be abused. Unscrupulous parties who want to get more than their proper share, who just want to cause problems for a particular project, or are just looking to make a fraudulent grab for cash sometimes file liens for these underhanded purposes. Filing an incorrect and improper mechanics lien for a knowingly fraudulent purpose is problematic in several ways.

Consumer optimism putting pressure on housing supply

Michael J. Berens Construction & Building Materials

Housing activity picked up in January as more buyers seeking single-family homes entered the market. Increased consumer confidence in the nation's overall economic growth, employment stability and potential for improved household income in the coming year, along with concerns about rising interest rates and home prices, spurred potential buyers to act now while conditions are more favorable.

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