ABC Survey: 1 in 6 Members Perform Data Center Work; Backlog Rebounds in August

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator rebounded to 8.5 months in August, according to an ABC member survey conducted Aug. 20 to Sept. 4. The reading is up 0.5 months from July and unchanged on a year-ago basis.  Only the largest contractors experienced a decline in backlog in August. On a year-over-year basis, backlog gains are concentrated among the smallest contractors (those with less than $30 million in annual revenues). ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales and profit margins increased in August, while the reading for staffing levels fell. The readings for all three components […]

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DOE Launches New Program To Help Builders Cut Construction Costs

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The U.S. Department of Energy launched the Building America New Construction Support program, which will provide technical support to residential, commercial and industrial builders. By offering direct access to experts from DOE and the U.S. National Laboratories, the program will help its partners build faster, reduce costs and deliver savings. The cost and time required to build new housing, commercial buildings, data centers and factories has become a barrier to meeting demand. Through the Building America New Construction Support program, builders can bring specific technical challenges to DOE and get matched with experts equipped to solve them. The program comes at no […]

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Hoar Construction Promotes Brandon Smith to Director of Division Operations in Florida

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Hoar Construction announced the promotion of Brandon Smith to director of division operations for its Florida Division, where he will oversee project and field operations while supporting operational consistency, team development and strategic growth initiatives across the state. Smith joined Hoar in 2014 and has established himself as a collaborative and solutions-oriented leader with extensive experience managing complex, high-profile construction projects. Throughout his tenure, he has led projects for several Fortune 100 companies, including Apple, Amazon and Universal. Most recently, he led the successful completion of a new technology building for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University As director of division operations, Smith […]

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Construction Materials Prices Jump Again in August

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Construction input prices increased 1.2% in August compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 1.2% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 8.9% higher than one year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 8.8% higher. Prices increased in 2 of the 3 energy subcategories last month. Crude petroleum prices expanded 5.2% and unprocessed energy materials prices rose 1.5%, while natural gas prices were down 11.6% in August. “Construction input prices surged again in August, and […]

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McShane Construction Company Opens Central Florida Regional Office in Orlando

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McShane Construction Company announced that it is expanding its Southeast construction operations with the opening of a Central Florida Regional Office in Orlando. The office will be led by Elliott Jackson, director of Florida operations. Jackson brings more than a decade of experience managing multi-family and commercial construction projects across the Southeast. He joined McShane in 2017 and holds a Master of Real Estate Development and a Bachelor of Science in building construction from Auburn University. McShane has been active in the Southeast since 2005 and has had a presence in Florida since 2017. Most recently in Florida, the firm […]

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