Category: Contractor’s Best Friend
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How Government Shutdowns Disrupt Public Construction — and How Contractors Can Stay Resilient
The government shutdown last month caused headaches for industries across the board. But public construction projects are hit especially hard, even in the aftermath. Why? These projects depend heavily on government decisions for the funding and approvals that keep them moving. When Washington, DC, faces political gridlock, it can freeze entire projects for weeks or…
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From Apprenticeships to Automation: Inside Construction’s New Tech-Driven Workforce
Twenty-five years ago, the construction industry was completing takeoffs on paper, filing cabinets filled job trailers, and cell phones were just being introduced. Today, jobsites are run from tablets, equipment operators navigate using GPS, and AI identifies issues in massive point clouds in minutes rather than hours. The transformation isn’t just changing how construction gets…
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2026 Infrastructure Outlook: Sustainability, Monitoring and Lifespan Planning Lead the Way
2026 is shaping up to be an important year for the infrastructure world as governments, cities and private developers deal with growing pressure on aging systems. Instead of focusing only on building quickly or staying under budget, more attention is shifting toward durability, long-term performance and overall resilience. The goal is no longer just to…
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What Will Shape Construction in 2026? Interest Rates, Labor Gaps and Market Shifts
Growth in the construction industry plateaued over the past year — and in 2026, look for that trend to continue. Faced with labor shortages, supply chain issues and economic pressures like high interest rates and tariff uncertainty, construction will need to adopt more disciplined habits and embrace both technological and cultural innovation in order to…
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Winter 2025 Burnout Risk Index Highlights Pressures Facing Construction and Trade Workers
A new analysis from Vegas Insider ranks burnout risk across 50 job categories heading into winter 2025, offering insight into how seasonal pressures and working conditions affect construction, trades and other labor-intensive fields. While healthcare and social services still top the overall list, the report notes that many construction and trade occupations face elevated burnout…
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Construction Industry Adds 19,000 Jobs in September as Unemployment Ticks Up
The construction industry added a net 19,000 jobs in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Industry employment is up 38,000 jobs over the past year, a 0.5% increase. Nonresidential construction added 16,300 positions, with gains across all subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade contractors…
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ABC Elects Thomas “Murph” Murphy as 2026 National Chair
Associated Builders and Contractors has elected Thomas “Murph” Murphy, vice president of Power & Construction Group in Scottsville, New York, as its 2026 national chair. The vote took place during the association’s annual Leadership Institute in Marco Island, Florida. Murphy, who began his career in the field, said he aims to support ABC’s advocacy efforts…
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Note These Key Snow Thrower Safety Tips Ahead of Winter Weather
Clearing snow from driveways, sidewalks and parking lots is a major task each winter, and safe operation of snow throwers remains essential. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is urging homeowners and business owners to prepare equipment early and follow basic safety practices before the next storm. OPEI President and CEO Kris Kiser says unpredictable…
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JLL Forecasts 2026 Construction Outlook Amid Policy Shifts and Regional Opportunities
JLL Project and Development Services (PDS) has released its 2026 U.S. Construction Perspective, highlighting how policy-driven market dynamics are creating regional opportunities and competitive advantages across the construction sector. Construction spending fell 4.7% in 2025 due to market uncertainty, with modest growth of 0.4% projected for 2026. The near-flat trajectory underscores ongoing pressures and the…
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Gen Z Revitalizes the Skilled Trades Amid Construction Labor Shortages
As Baby Boomers retire, they take with them decades of accumulated skill, leadership and institutional knowledge, and presently, there are not enough new workers to replace them. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that the median age of a construction worker has reached 42, about a year older than the national labor force…