Brett Foley takes in the view of Mount Tamalpais from a scaffold on Wednesday in Greenbrae.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Why It's Time to Buy
Why It's Time to Buy: Despite all the gloom, there are growing indications that it is a good time to...
With ChannelAdvisor deal, Duke Realty to break ground on new, 5-story building
Almost under the radar of the local real estate community, Duke Realty Corp. has pulled off another coup in the region, having landed the big, new headquarters lease deal for Morrisville ecommerce company ChannelAdvisor .
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Pulte to Cut Executives
Pulte to Cut Executives: PulteGroup Inc., the country?s second-largest home builder by annual...
Q&A: Real estate exec Mark A. McLaughlin, on booming home prices
Mark McLaughlin, CEO of Pacific Union, poses for a photograph at the Presidio in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Fluor to Present at D.A. Davidson E&C Conference
[Business Wire] - Biggs Porter, Fluor Corporation?s chief financial officer, will give a presentation to investors at D.A. Davidson?s 13th Annual Engineering & Construction Conference in San Francisco on Tuesday, September 9 at 8:30 a.m.
Gorrell not your typical lineman
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that Matt Gorrell doesn't fit the mold of a typical nose guard.
Construction employment in San Antonio flat, even as the pace of projects picks up
It's the Catch 22 of the construction industry. The number of projects in the pipeline is filling up once again.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
REOs: Where Are They Now
REOs: Where Are They Now: What?s become of all those properties seized by banks? CoreLogic delved...
Tetra Tech Wins $23M U.S. EPA Water Contract
Tetra Tech, Inc. announced today it has been awarded a five-year, $23 million single-award contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assess and reduce the human health and ecological risk from contaminated fish, sediments, and water-borne pathogens in fresh and marine waters.
Electricians Will Get Net-Zero Training
Starting next year, a new training center in Los Angeles will offer union electricians special instruction in topics that relate to renewable energy and net-zero buildings.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Mass. bettors drawn to pricey 'world class' $30 instant lottery ticket
The Massachusetts Lottery's most expensive instant ticket, priced at $30, is the biggest success of its kind in the industry, beating nine other states that also introduced instant tickets at the same price this year, according to lottery officials.
First look: HomeSense Lincoln store
HomeSense, which is a sister brand to TK Maxx, will open its doors at 10am, selling branded homeware items at up to 60% less than the original retail price.
Acteon Group Standardizes on Amber Road for Restricted Party Screening
Amber Road , a leading provider of global trade management solutions , today announced that the Acteon Group , a leading global integrated subsea services provider, has chosen Amber Road to automate and standardize restricted party screening across all of its worldwide branded services.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
3 Keys to Real Estate Selling Success, According to Aussie Superstar Agent
Most experts would probably agree that there is no exact formula to becoming a successful real estate agent .
New Labor Contract Reached Between Frontier Communications and...
Frontier Communications Corporation and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, AFL-CIO and its Local Unions 89 and 543 in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington have reached a new collective bargaining Agreement through binding Interest Arbitration.
Housing sales drop by 37% in NCR during Jan-June
Launches of new homes in NCR fell by nearly 43 % at 35,500 units during January-June 2014.
Monday, August 25, 2014
Mass. subcontractors get some help with new construction law
The construction industry is in turmoil over a sweeping new law pushed by subcontractors that, at its core, provides subs with favorable treatment when it comes to the timing of their payments from owners and developers.
Boosting Profitability for General Contractors
As profit margins drop past the 2% mark, general contractors are compelled to look for more innovative ways to drive profitability. Recently, I learned of a GC that hired a third party services firm to photo-document its work on a large school project and passed the cost onto the owner with a slight markup. While I see the rationale behind adding value-added services as a way to improve revenue, I find this particular choice questionable.
Construction Photo-documentation firms offer a valuable combination of construction knowledge and photography services to owner/developers who lack the experience and resources to scrutinize the construction of their buildings. Most also offer a deliverable that includes construction photos delivered via the web.
However, does this make sense for a GC? Can these firms offer expertise that the GC doesn?t already have on staff? Do they hold the secrets to construction photography that a GC can?t match with a $500 camera purchase�and a basic photography course at a local community college (or even online)? The answers are obviously no and no.
So, therefore, the missing piece of the puzzle must be the ability to deliver construction photos with a web interface offers more than a link to a Sharepoint folder. If a GC could deliver a comprehensive package of photos to an owner that offered a complete record of as-built construction and critical installation details, now that would be valuable.
And now, the GC can offer just such a deliverable. In my next post I will describe how Geedra enables GC?s to self perform the photo documentation of their projects, and in doing so transforms an overhead cost, into a value-add service that boosts profitability.
Tags: construction, construction photo documentation, construction photography, construction photos, Gafcon, Geedra, general contractors, MultiVista, qualitybuilt, self perform
Antioch: Mello-Roos nears finish line
For residents in southeast Antioch who have paid thousands in extra property tax over the past two decades, that's music to their ears.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Alfresco, a Passionate Loner Beckons
The Paul Taylor Dance Company presented three works as part of Lincoln Center Out of Doors on Friday.
Berkshire Hathaway agrees to settle U.S. charges on stock deal
Warren Buffett 's Berkshire Hathaway agreed to pay an $896,000 fine to settle U.S. government accusations that it violated antitrust rules by failing to report a transaction that boosted its stake in building products company USG Corp. The civil penalty, which requires court approval, settles charges made on Wednesday by the U.S. Department of ... (more)
August 19: School district cuts bus passes | Pat Deon's new powers |...
Pete Saunders thinks Philly can afford to have a more productive conversation about gentrification than New York or San Francisco.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Tyngsboro Colonial offers modern look, outdoor privacy
"You have to use '50 Althea Avenue' for your GPS," said listing agent George Terris, of this week's featured home, at 3 Whitetail Drive.
Quick look: Memphis' weekly top home sales ending Aug. 15
The 5 bedroom/5.5 bathroom home listed on Garner Woods Cove sold for more than $1.44 million in a week which saw Germantown homes dominate the top of the home sales list.
URS Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2014 Results
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, approval by URS stockholders of the merger agreement, and approval by early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Petrofac chairman steps down for "compassionate reasons"
Norman Murray, the chairman of three years at oilfield services group Petrofac, announced his resignation from the board on Friday.
Real Estate Tips For Septemer 2014
Phil Mitsch Is The World's #1 Economic Recovery, Real Estate, Financial And Motivational Trainer.
India Globalization Capital Announces Financial Results for Quarter Ended June 30, 2014
[GlobeNewswire] - Cash and equivalents nearly tripled from prior quarter to about $2.9 M Sets up platform for expanding India based business and entry into the Legal Cannabis industries
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Registration forms for Seminar and Golf Tournament
Registration forms for the Technical Seminar and Golf Tournament are now online. Registration for the golf tournament is due by April 5....
Election Results
The online voting period has ended, and new officers have been elected for the East Tennessee Section. A total of 29 votes were tallied, which represented over ...
B.C. mining boom, recent tailings pond bust prompt environmental fears in Alaska
Heather Hardcastle has spent her life fishing for salmon at the mouth of the Taku River, which starts in a remote corner of northwestern British Columbia before dumping into the ocean near her home in Juneau, Alaska.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Youth charity receives $80K* revamp by Laser Group
Laser Group, Australasia's leading network of plumbing and electrical contractors, has been working closely with Gold Coast Youth Service on a project that comes to fruition on the 20th August 2014.
Tractor Supply Launches Social Media Contest to Benefit Rescues
One of the best ways to honor the work animal shelters and rescues do is to highlight the animals they save through stories and photos.
KC home sales down slightly, but prices edge up
The number of Kansas City-area homes sold in July dropped slightly from the year-ago total, but the average sales price edged up.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
April Newsletter
The April newsletter is now online. This newsletter has updates for the April and May section meetings....
Poll for Construction Estimators
Our friends over at�Software Advice are conducting a poll about current practices in construction estimation.
You can take the 5-minute poll here.
Tags: Architects, construction, construction estimating, construction manager, construction software
URS Corp Downgraded by Sterne Agee to Neutral
Shares of URS Corp opened at 59.16 on Thursday. URS Corp has a 1-year low of $41.62 and a 1-year high of $59.71.
Monday, August 18, 2014
N.H. breaks ground on new Concord women's prison
About 100 people, including Gov. Maggie Hassan and several state legislators, gathered yesterday behind the Concord state prison to mark a moment more than 20 years in the making: the ground-breaking for New Hampshire's first permanent, all-inclusive women's prison.
FairPoint, unions continue negotiations
FairPoint Communications and two unions representing more than 1,700 workers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont are continuing negotiations.
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority divides contracts [The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review :: ]
Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Aug. 14--The days of one engineering firm overseeing all capital projects at Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority ended Wednesday, when its board of directors voted to divide the duties among three companies.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
30 Years, Warren Buffett Gave Away The Secret To Good Investing And...
In a speech at Columbia Business School, later adapted into an essay, Buffett introduced what he called, "The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville."
URS Corp Downgraded by Sterne Agee to Neutral
Shares of URS Corp opened at 59.16 on Thursday. URS Corp has a 1-year low of $41.62 and a 1-year high of $59.71.
Contractor for 1 World Trade Center Is Charged With Fraud
The owner of DCM Erectors is accused of fraudulently obtaining $76 million by falsely claiming he was in compliance with requirements for hiring minority and female subcontractors.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Please visit this blog at its new home
Thanks for visiting. New posts for Changing Construction can now be found on the Geedra blog.
Friday, August 15, 2014
FairPoint union workers picket in Manchester
Fairpoint Communications workers take to the information picket line Tuesday morning outside the company's Holt Avenue site to draw attention to prolonged contract talks.
ETS Election April 26 - May 1
Election of new Board of Director members for the AACE East Tennessee Section begins on Tuesday, April 26 and runs through Sunday, May 1. Section members can v...
Southern California home sales fall, median price drops
Southern California home sales hit a three-year low for the month of July and the region's median home price dipped to $413,000, industry tracker CoreLogic DataQuick reported Wednesday.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Sow Grassroots Strategically
Media attention on local transit projects are no longer insulated from federal officials, who can track local issues withing a community.
MasTec Announces Second Quarter Results In-line with Guidance
[PR Newswire] - CORAL GABLES, Fla., Aug. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- MasTec, Inc. (NYSE: MTZ) today announced 2014 second quarter financial results in-line with guidance issued in June 2014. Second quarter 2014 revenue increased ...
Clarkson Construction exec faces embezzlement charges
The former director of information technology at Clarkson Construction Co. has been accused of embezzling more than $300,000 from the company.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
A Lifeline for Underwater Homeowners
A Lifeline for Underwater Homeowners: Help may finally be on the way for borrowers stuck in...
L.A. lawmakers name conditions for paying $4 million to DWP trusts
Brian D'Arcy, business manager for Local 18, an affiliate of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers , is photographed at the union's Los Angeles headquarters in May 2013.
Record crops predicted; farmers market carefully
Farmers will produce a record-breaking corn harvest this year, surpassing earlier expectations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which on Tuesday revised upward its estimate of this year's corn crop to 14 billion bushels to exceed last year's 13.9 billion bushel record.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Lessons from the Sheboygan waterfront | Don Brunell
Today, there is a tendency to look with distain at manufacturing facilities, especially those located on working waterfronts.
US home price gains slowed last quarter as inventory expanded
The national housing slowdown deepened in the second quarter as home prices posted their smallest gain in two years, according to a new report.
Cleveland Browns linemen get their kicks in end-of-practice competition
On the Browns' practice fields just off Lou Groza Boulevard the spirit of The Toe was alive and well Thursday.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Pulte to Cut Executives
Pulte to Cut Executives: PulteGroup Inc., the country?s second-largest home builder by annual...
How to avoid the next housing bust
A realtor's sign is seen on the lawn of a foreclosed home in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., Saturday, March 15, 2008.
Precast Concrete Offsite Ensures Quality and Strength
All concrete is cast either on site or in a factory. Casting is the process of molding the building material into the desired shape for walls, barriers and other designs. Casting at the site involves using a temporary or mobile mold in order to get the concrete into place before letting it set to cure, or harden.
***image3***The other option is to have the concrete precast into the desired shape and shipped to the site. Precast concrete is molded and cured inside of a dedicated factory overseen by several technicians in order to promote a clean casting. While it may not seem like an adaptable means of creating concrete walls, it does allow for a great deal of control over the environment and creation of the resulting shape.
Control is the biggest reason to have precast concrete molded offsite. Using an accredited and established concrete plant allows builders very specific orders to match all needs. The plant is then able to maintain a controlled environment that best suits the creation of concrete constructs.
Another important reason to consider offsite precasting is the ability for technicians to strictly monitor the curing process. Curing is very important to ensure concrete is able to harden properly and not become brittle. With proper time and conditions at the offsite location, the precast forms are better positioned to be what the job requires.
Exact sizing is also possible when cast offsite. Through state of the art equipment that is able to create a specific set of measurements, precast molds are able to be fitted to almost any size. Onsite casting may allow for more flexibility, but offsite will get the same size with every casting.
Lastly, offsite casting guarantees the materials used in the concrete. When pouring concrete onsite there is the possibility of other materials being mixed in, as well. Dust, contaminants and excess liquids can all seep into the concrete as it is being poured. The controlled environment of a precasting facility limits the possibility of extra substances creeping into molds.
Buildings require exact measurements and quality products in order to be able to stand the test of time. Precast molds ensure that the concrete will be properly set, strong and durable. When working on the next job site consider having concrete precast at a certified plant for quality
Sunday, August 10, 2014
AECOM reports third-quarter fiscal year 2014 results
Los Angeles - AECOM Technology Corporation reported third-quarter revenue of $2.0 billion and net service revenue of $1.2 billion.
Fannie, Freddie post profits in 2Q; pay dividends
Gains in recent years have enabled them to fully repay their government aid after being rescued during the financial crisis in 2008.
Strains Visible in Homes Data
Strains Visible in Homes Data: The number of American households behind on mortgage payments hovered...
Saturday, August 9, 2014
April Newsletter
The April newsletter is now online. This newsletter has updates for the April and May section meetings....
Unions ante up for Dems in 2014
All posts, comments and statements made on IR are those of the authors only. Any disputes must be addressed to the writers, who are solely responsible for their posts, comments and statements.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Strains Visible in Homes Data
Strains Visible in Homes Data: The number of American households behind on mortgage payments hovered...
Pulte to Cut Executives
Pulte to Cut Executives: PulteGroup Inc., the country?s second-largest home builder by annual...
Developers Cater to Two-Wheeled Traffic in Portland, Ore.
Developers Cater to Two-Wheeled Traffic in Portland, Ore.: Portland is nationally recognized as a...
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Longmont Museum's expansion project underway
The start of construction for the 11,000-square-foot expansion project at the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center, at 400 Quail Road, is a welcome step forward for the community.
As Housing Goes, So Goes the Economy
As Housing Goes, So Goes the Economy: The Great Recession began with the bursting of the housing...
Photographers, videographers take to the sky as drone use becomes more accessible
Pasadena City Hall is known for its historic charm and architectural beauty, but according to local photographer Philip Coombes, the typical view from Holly Street doesn't even do it justice.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
IBEW Latest Union To Defect From Obama's Green Agenda
Regulations: Well, well. Another big union has publicly declared that its members are the real front-line victims of the Obama administration's war on domestic energy production.
Construction gets underway on Burns & McDonnell expansion
Demolition of the former Beth Shalom building is already underway. Burns & McDonnell's new $139.5 million building will be built on this site.
Year-over-year US home prices show a slowing gain
Data provider CoreLogic said Tuesday that prices rose 7.5 percent in June compared with 12 months earlier.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Press release distribution, EDGAR filing, XBRL, regulatory filings
As announced on July 13, 2014, AECOM Te... )--Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated today reported financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, and provided an operating forecast ... )--WWE announced that its Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon, Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative Paul "Triple H" Levesque ... (more)
MTA hands over Purple Line ridership data
The Maryland Transit Administration sent the town of Chevy Chase data and software that it says can replicate Purple Line ridership forecasts.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Construction gets underway on Burns & McDonnell expansion
Demolition of the former Beth Shalom building is already underway. Burns & McDonnell's new $139.5 million building will be built on this site.
US employers add 209K jobs, rate rises to 6.2 pct.
It was the sixth straight month of job growth above 200,000, evidence that businesses are gradually shedding the caution that had marked the 5-year-old recovery.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Fresno's industrial and office real estate markets looking up
Fresno's residential real estate market has made some big gains in the last year with home prices on the upswing and foreclosures slowing down, but what about commercial real estate? "We are seeing increased activity year-over-year," said Ethan Smith, vice president, industrial division at Newmark Grubb Pearson Commercial , a Fresno commercial real ... (more)
Chevy Chase examining information provided
The Maryland Transit Administration sent the town of Chevy Chase data and software that it says can replicate Purple Line ridership forecasts.
Broward County adds 4,200 construction jobs in June
People who work in the South Florida construction industry are now in demand. They are seeing more job opportunities than ever before because a huge demand for new homes.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
An Intricate Combination of Music and Movement
Pam Tanowitz?s witty choreography enhances complex duets, complemented by an energetic score, and ranks with the most vivifying work of recent years.
S.F. tenants rally, sue over evictions for vacation rentals
Residents leave their house during a campaign in association with the San Francisco Tenants Union where protesters posted signs on apartments along Mason Street where the previous tenants had been evicted, due to the Ellis Act, and the current occupants are renting the space using VRBO on July 29th 2014.
Construction output in Wales set to rise above the UK average and...
Construction output in Wales set to rise above the UK average and another 4,410 workers will be needed every year to support the growth CITB says growth is subject to a number of major infrastructure, industrial and housing projects which will require a skilled workforce to deliver them The Welsh construction industry is set to continue on its ... (more)
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