Category: Expert Columns
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The Fundamentals of Compaction – and the Compactor’s ‘Roll’ in It
Often, one of the last and most critical steps in building roads is when compactors roll down that last mile. Accurate compaction can be overlooked in the rush to finish that last pass before the holidays, but it will be noticed by construction crews and commuters in upcoming seasons. “Compaction isn’t just a final step,…
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Prefab Pitfalls: Five Ways Contractors Lose Money and How to Fix Them
Prefabrication has become the industry’s favorite buzzword. Every conference presentation, every proposal, every kickoff meeting includes it. Prefab will shorten your schedule. Prefab will reduce waste. Prefab will solve your labor problems. It all sounds great, and when done right, it works. Many of the top contractors in the country are using prefabrication to reduce…
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Why Serious Injury and Fatality Prevention Needs a New Strategy
Early in my career, I trained under the slogan, “Drive down frequency and you will drive down severity.” While this was a sincere and well-intended statement from leadership, it exemplifies an approach to addressing serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) in the workplace that has not produced the results we hoped for. National Safety Council /…
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How California’s Refinery Closures Hit Asphalt Contractors
California is on track to lose another major refinery just months after Phillips 66 fully shuttered its Los Angeles-area operations at the end of 2025. Valero’s Benicia plant is now set to end refining by April 2026. Together those two closures wipe out roughly 309,000 barrels per day of capacity, about 18% of the state’s…
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Beyond the Surface: How Decorative Concrete Is Redefining Design in 2026
Decorative concrete has come a long way. What was once viewed as just a decorative overlay or backyard patio upgrade is now a key player in modern construction. Today, it’s not only about adding visual interest — it’s about combining aesthetics, performance and sustainability in one versatile material that’s showing up everywhere from retail interiors…
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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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Concrete Homes and WUI Codes: Building Beyond the Flame
The doors could soon close on new construction of wood-framed homes. At least that is what many regulators are pushing to make happen. After decades of wood-framed houses being pummeled by wildfires, windstorms, and earthquakes, there is now increasing pressure on builders to invest in more robust residential construction methods. The changes are forcing builders…
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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…