Construction Trend Data
Total construction starts for the first six months of 2011 amounted to $198.2 billion, down 7% from the same period a year ago. Between May and June, nonbuilding construction increased 34% and residential building advanced 1%, while nonresidential building climbed 11%. more

Keeping Workers' Compensation Insurance Costs in Check
Even with extensive safety precautions in place, accidents can happen on construction worksites. To manage this problem, most states require contractors to have workers’ compensation insurance coverage. To avoid being penalized for noncompliance, and to protect themselves from expensive lawsuits, contractors should ensure that they, and the subcontractors they work with, have adequate workers’ compensation insurance coverage. At the same time, contractors should explore ways to reduce the size of the premiums they are paying. more

Better Buildings Initiative May Stimulate Job Growth
In February 2011, President Obama unveiled the Better Buildings Initiative, a set of legislative proposals and executive actions focused on making commercial buildings 20% more energy efficient by 2020. The plan could create an estimated 114,000 new jobs nationwide, including 77,000 in the construction industry, according to a report released by a group of real estate and energy efficiency advocacy
organizations. more

Building Homes to Control Noise Levels
As builders focused on expanding the size of American homes and installing high-tech entertainment centers, they often failed to take into account that the noise generated by these state-of-the-art sound systems could become a nuisance. And, with leaf blowers and high-powered lawnmowers disturbing the peace in previously quiet suburban neighborhoods, the demand for homes that minimize noise transmission is growing. more

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