Kelar Atlantic

16/02/2023

Associated Builders and Contractors estimates the industry needs an additional ~550k workers. In 2022 industry unemployment reached near record lows indicating there are not enough workers seeking construction jobs. New technology can create opportunities to recruit labor from other industries!

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/construction-worker-demand-over-half-million/642710/

04/01/2023

In the past year, states have seen project costs increase 20% to 40%. By 2024 after three years of price escalation material prices will be 25% to 28% higher than they would have been.

High costs for materials, fuel and labor mean jurisdictions aren’t getting as much of a budget bump as they’d hoped from the federal legislation.

03/01/2023

New technology is difficult for contractors; development cycles and projects rarely support new tech and many firms have invested heavily in their existing tools. Smooth transitions by slowly enabling must-have features and integrations first.

Embrace tech by engaging with smaller solutions first and putting the proper programs in place to be successful.

07/12/2022

is the least innovative industry. Over the past 15 years workers age 25-54 fell 8% and workers 55+ rose 20%. Over the next 6 years 20% of the industry is scheduled to retire. So what are you doing to protect your business? Adopt technology now to stay competitive.

Tips for putting your best foot forward to attract the cream of the crop.

29/11/2022

"I feel like so many contractors still see technology, software, etc. as an 'extra' instead of a baseline tool. "

Over the past 20 years technology has innovated, but more has changed in the last two years than the past 5 or 10.

"The time to be hesitant has passed” when it comes to construction technology.

22/11/2022

With 400,000 open jobs in its time to turn the focus on retention. 3 strategies to keep employees: 1.) Fine tune your benefits. 2.) Host stay interviews and find out what keeps employees 3.) Offering flexible, hybrid and remote solutions.

As the economy wavers, employers may need to turn their sights to retention rather than recruiting.

18/11/2022

Cloud-based software can streamline building information and reduce misunderstandings, also makes communication easier with real-time information, and improve profitability by reducing mishaps, supply-chain issues, and rework.

Contractors that look only to reduce costs can lose out on opportunities to grow the business.

16/11/2022

What cybersecurity do you have? A 2018 appellate court decided "loss should be borne by the party in the best position to prevent fraud"; working directly on client projects may make you the party best positioned to prevent cyber fraud.

Construction security systems lag behind other industries, which can lead to liability.

15/11/2022

Many companies are rolling out new technology however 50% are unable to leave the pilot phase. We specialize in implementing -based project cost accounting systems across the industry. Reach out to us if you have any questions regarding project accounting or implementing new construction technology!

Purchasing a new technology isn’t a guarantee that your firm will receive the full benefits from it.

07/11/2022

Building added 5600 jobs this past month while specialty contractors lost 4000 jobs, heavy highway and civil eng shed 400. AGC reports more jobs would have been added if the labor was available. Labor costs have risen $1.86/hr from last year.

Gains in buildings construction slightly exceed losses among specialty trade contractors.

26/10/2022

AP automation, including invoices, POs, acknowledgements and ship notices, requires less people and lower operational costs; increases in productivity improve cash flow for companies seeking the next innovation.

Here are three reasons AP automation can help contractors overcome economic challenges and protect profitability.

25/10/2022

1.)Identify cost effects early 2.)Contact immediately when price increases 3.)Be proactive with timely billing and collections 4.)Incentivize PMs to meet profit goals 5.)Outsource accounting & reporting 6.)Price escalation clauses 7.)Overlooked tax credits

Contractors may need to revisit some of the processes in their accounting and financial operations.

13/10/2022

Data twins will become standard in project. Creating a model of your project and seamlessly sharing it with your team, clients, subcontractors and other. Capturing events happening in the field and the office and using analytics to improve.

Peggy and Rich Humphrey, vice president of construction product management, Bentley Systems, talk about some of the biggest project challenges in the infrastructure space today, including increased demand, complexity of projects, safety, supply chain problems, and resource scarcity, among others. Th...

12/10/2022

unemployment is down, most skilled workers have jobs. Projects backlog remains steady and the cost of labor is among many rising costs. However, anticipate rising sales, employment and profit margins over the next half year.

Builders are turning to megaprojects to get the most out of their skilled workforce, according to a recent report from the country’s largest contractor.

06/10/2022

Change is difficult. Digital transformations require a team to meet important goals in the long run. Through a long-term partnering approach companies limit risk while realizing lost time and resources that can facilitate new opportunities.

Any digital transformation journey requires a team that can ensure the process is effective for the long haul.

04/10/2022

Post '06 Hurricane Wilma Florida spent $3b to strengthen its power grid hardening feeder lines and strengthening utility poles. Ian caused no structural damage to power facilities, no transmission structures lost and underground power lines outperformed.

Florida officials are prioritizing infrastructure repairs as the damage from Hurricane Ian comes into focus, including expediting critical road work.

03/10/2022

Engineering News-Record Material Cost Index ticked up +.1% in October 2022, material cost index up +19.4% from October 2021. Cement +14.9%, Steel +26.3%, Lumber +8.1%
Cost Index flat from last month, up 5.7% from October 2021.

29/09/2022

How are companies choosing new technology?
By engaging experienced and technically skilled teams early and selecting projects making an impact in more than one area, new technologies that can be used across the business to improve processes.

Which technologies are worth the effort and expense? Learn about tech ROI straight from an expert.

28/09/2022

Nonresidential input prices fell 1.4% in August but remain 16.3% higher from last year. Construction materials and equipment prices likely to remain elevated; construction workers remain in short supply. Be on guard for surges in .

Construction and nonresidential input prices decreased 1.4% in August compared to the previous month.

27/09/2022

is going green. Cost savings generated by energy efficiencies combined with government incentives has reduced the payback window for green . Local governments are passing mandates requiring new buildings to have features.

Government-imposed mandates are driving sustainability in the built environment.

23/09/2022

A number of large projects kicked off in July sending starts up 48%. Despite other large projects kicking off in August the total was slightly lower than in July. Excluding two multi-million dollar LNG projects from July’s figures, August’s starts would have increased 27%.

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/dodge-total-construction-starts-fall-9-percent-august/632479/

22/09/2022

87% of CEOs report higher costs for raw materials and other inputs. Think big picture and invest in new efficiencies, it may cost more up front but the end-result benefits customers and employees.

Here are three considerations for construction CEOs to better manage during inflation.

21/09/2022

Multi-family projects are taking a ‘wait and see’ approach but jobs that are already underway are moving ahead. Be prepared to use alternate materials or pre-order long lead time materials. Challenges around anything that involves metal, wood or glass

After correctly predicting that higher costs and supply chain impacts weren’t temporary in early 2021, the California-based contractor gives his views on the biggest challenges facing the sector now.

20/09/2022

One project originally planned for 1800 units now can only complete 200 of those units and additional financing must be secured. For some projects, developers break ground but run short of cash leaving projects temporarily unfinished. Many of these delays last for over three months.

Rising interest rates and inflation have made financing for affordable housing more difficult and costly. Supply-chain issues for materials like lumber and appliances have eased a bit recently but haven’t gone away.

13/09/2022

New CPI data shows a 0.1% increase in consumer prices from last month. Small increases in shelter, utilities, food, transportation, and healthcare have been offset by larger decreases in the price of energy, specifically gasoline and fuel.

The .gov means it's official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

12/09/2022

As builders see rising costs and delays they need to consider ways to innovate their operations; contractors must use the right software. Document change orders, deploy online payment & ticketing systems, and hire the right people with cloud systems.

You can prevent and mitigate payment issues with a little advance planning.

09/09/2022

Two major leading indicators saw declines in August 2022, the Dodge index and the Architectural Billing Index. Weakening economic conditions and raising rates are impacting the confidence of builders as we move into 2023. The Federal reserve has noted that while material prices have fallen, construction inputs remain high.

For the year, the measure was still broadly positive, but the impacts of inflation and a fear of recession are starting to emerge.  

07/09/2022

Lenexa, Kansas voted this spring to test pilot "smart pavement" technology. It has issues with connectivity and electricity costs; however, provides real-time data for traffic volumes and can be utilized for over-the-road charging.

When the city of Lenexa, Kan., this spring opted to move forward with a test pilot of “smart pavements,” it represented a vital step forward for electric vehicles.

06/09/2022

Bundling projects that require digging in the same area together alleviates supply and labor constraints by reducing neighborhood disruptions and improving return on investment. Ex: Adding another highway lane and laying new broadband cables.

New analysis finds that coordinating public works projects helps builders manage materials and labor shortages and stay on schedule.

31/08/2022

Will off-shore wind replace drilling? Across the Atlantic sites are being built to harvest wind energy. Many energy companies with operations in the Gulf of Mexico are looking into off-shore wind leases from the Department of the Interior.

Energy companies point to area's existing oil-gas infrastructure and supply chain as feds aim to lease project sites off Louisiana and northern Texas next year.