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Construction Industry BlogTopics, articles, and updates from the construction and trades industry.
Construction Jobs Hiring Surges in 27 States Illustrating the Need for Qualified Construction Workers
According to a new federal employment analysis released by the Associated General Contractors of America, construction employment has grown in 27 states from September to October.
Ask an Industry Pro Episode 5: Know Your Numbers: How Do I Know If I’m Profitable?
In episode 5, Chris answers your questions regarding understanding your numbers and the performance and profitability of your projects by understanding ratios.
Hiring Construction Workers: 5 Tips for Hiring Your First Construction Employee
Before you hire your first construction employee and grow your team, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. There are certain steps required when implementing a successful construction hiring process.
Ask an Industry Pro Episode 4: Understanding Construction Business Expenses
In episode 4, Chris answers your questions regarding the different types of construction business expenses, how they affect your company’s cash flow, and how to ensure the profitability of your projects.
Influence: How a Foreman Can Make or Break a Job
Managing people is often lost on the faint of heart; it is not an easy task. It demands a foreman exert deliberate influence over and meaningful involvement in the lives of the individuals that they have the responsibility of calling their crew.
Ask an Industry Pro Episode 3: What Math Skills Do You Need To Work In Construction?
In Episode 3, Chris answers questions regarding what math skills are required to work within the construction industry and how you can work on improving your math skills.
Ask an Industry Pro Episode 2: Minimizing the Impact of a Broken Supply Chain on your Business
In episode 2 of Ask an Industry Pro, Chris discusses the current supply chain issues and how they are impacting the construction industry and gives advice on how to minimize the impacts on your business.
How To Prepare for a Construction Job Interview
So, you’ve just landed your first construction job interview. Now, how do you make sure you rock the interview process and prove to your hopefully future employer that you’re the best person for the job?
Ask an Industry Pro Episode 1: Profitable Construction Estimating
In episode 2 of Ask an Industry Pro, Chris discusses the current supply chain issues and how they are impacting the construction industry and gives advice on how to minimize the impacts on your business.
Construction Licensing Compliance Best Practices
It’s no secret that licensing for construction firms and contractors is complex. Understanding what is needed to legally operate presents a challenge for even the most established organizations. Here are five tips for maintaining construction licensing compliance.
Summer Construction Safety Tips for Working in The Heat
For those in the construction industry, working in the heat of summer is arguably the most physically and mentally taxing part of the job. Stay safe working outside in the heat with these five key tips.
How to Get Bid Bonds
Working in your own contractor business or as an employee in a construction company means continually building a reputation for excellence. Not everyone manages to do so. Because of this reason, project owners who are searching for construction companies require you to provide a bid bond if you want to be able to compete for getting the project. In this article, we’re talking more about what bid bonds are and your company can get one.
Making It Through Your First Year in the Construction Business
If you are looking to get into the construction business, now is an excellent time. In this competitive industry, you’ll find yourself connecting with clients and other companies like never before. Whether you’re starting this path with a new business or as an independent contractor, there are tips and tricks you should know to help you get started. Here are 10 things to keep in mind as you work through your first year in the construction business.
Leveraging Cloud Technology for Daily Tasks
Organizations of all sizes, from startups to international companies, use cloud technology to automate processes, store data, and complete daily tasks. In this article we’ll review a few of the benefits of cloud technology for the construction industry.
Contractor Hidden Health Concerns You Can Tackle
The construction industry comes with its fair share of hidden health concerns and safety risks, but most people are aware of these. Incidents like falls, machinery-related accidents and exposure to dangerous chemicals are common enough that every construction company in the world has rules and policies in place to prevent them.
Incentives That Actually Motivate a Construction Workforce
The trades are a competitive industry, and it’s challenging for business owners to recruit and retain skilled professionals in today’s market. Therefore, it’s more crucial than ever to invest in your workers. After all, they’re the driving force behind your success and, without them, who knows where your business might be.
How to Measure the Success of a Construction Project
Whether you are a skilled foreman or just starting out in the construction industry, completing a project successfully is absolutely crucial. Knowing how to determine if your construction project has been successful will help you plan the project and ensure a better chance of success.
Struggling to Get and Keep Quality Employees?
The US labor force has been steadily declining for more than ten years now. Economists say that these negative trends won’t improve anytime soon, so you must take matters into your own hands if you want to find and retain quality workers.
Deck Builder Apprenticeship Program Takes Aim at Trade Skills Gap
The skilled labor shortage is a big problem across the residential construction industry. Every year, fewer and fewer young people consider careers in the building trades. Deckorators® is working to create apprenticeship jobs to help narrow the trade skills gap.
Instagram For Contractors: Leveraging Social Media to Build Your Construction Business
Are you looking to build your construction business? A major hurdle for business owners is building a backlog of projects. Learning how to use Instagram to create leads and opportunities is an important step to building a successful construction business. Consumers are more likely to contract the services of a company they have researched on social media.
Construction Sales: 7 Keys to Improve Your Results
Are you looking to improve your construction sales results? This article gives you 7 clearly defined keys to success to help you increase cash flow, fill your project backlog, and keep work coming in the door.
Selling Green Building Services to Clients in a Growing Building Market
The trend toward greener buildings hasn’t slowed down in recent years and isn’t expected to do so anytime soon. Experts predict the green building materials market will reach nearly $365 billion by the year 2022. Adding green building materials and options to your services allows clients who are interested in green buildings to choose the options that make the most sense for them.
Not Another Blog About The “Skills Gap”.
I sat down with Jon Paul from Superior Renovations. Him and I talked about ways we can actually do something about the skills gap. He shares his views, and ideas on what we can do in keeping craft alive. And ways to help bridge the gap between business and generations.
What do Real Estate Professionals Look for in Contractors?
Operating a business that provides services for home improvement or property management calls for attention to branding and presentation strategy. The way that contractors present their business to real estate professionals could make a significant difference in their ability to secure new contracts and engage repeat customers. Learning what real estate professionals look for in contractors will give you an edge when looking for new sources of business.
Incumbent Workforce Training Resources by State
Looking for information on funded incumbent worker training in your state? Here is a state by state reference guide of available worker training programs.
Training Resources for the Skilled Trades
Are you a small business owner looking for training resources for your workforce? The United States government has heard the cries of the small businesses in this country. There are now programs and funding for assisting small businesses in training their workforce to improve productivity. The U.S. government has set aside monies to help subsidize training programs offered by small businesses.
Programs Tackling the Construction Labor Shortage
One of the most prominent issues facing the construction industry today is the construction labor shortage, which makes it difficult for construction companies to fill open positions for skilled laborers and finish projects as quickly as they’d like.
How To Effectively Estimate for Home Renovation
Learning how to estimate in construction, while remaining both competitive and profitable, is one of the most common contractor education needs. We’ve put together a guide to estimating construction work for home renovation so that you can increase your profits and provide the most accurate price for jobs to clients.
5 Key Reasons to Manage Your Construction Data
Managing construction data is a critical component of running a successful construction business. If you don’t manage your construction data, chances are much greater that situations will develop where the lack of data will make running your business successfully much more difficult.
Tuning Up Electrical Tools
Most hand tools are inexpensive, which is a good thing when they need to be replaced. However, it also means they often get tossed long before their useful life is over. Performing regular maintenance on the most common electrical tools in your belt takes only a few minutes a week and makes the tools safer to use and allows them to work better. You can also save the money that slips away when you replace electrical tools them too early.
Beginner’s Guide to Construction Math
Do you hate math? Many people struggle with math. For some, math is one of those subjects that they grasp quickly. For the rest of us, it is something that we struggle with. If you are going to work in construction – and more importantly – build a construction career, you are going to have to work with math on a daily basis. This Beginner’s Guide to Construction Math will help introduce you to the basic math concepts that you will need to master.
Beginner’s Guide: How to Read Construction Plans
Are you a skilled tradesman? Maybe you are a general contractor or you work in the construction industry. Either way, knowing how to read construction plans is a critical skill. This beginner’s guide will give you quick insight into how to read construction plans.
5 Tips for Finding Skilled Workers for Your Construction Company
With the current labor shortage it can be a challenge to find skilled workers. Here are 5 tips to help you recruit and retain the skilled workers your construction company needs.
Construct-Ed Gives Free Education to The Centre
We (Construct-Ed) and our contributing Instructors have partnered with The Centre for Skills Development & Training, to offer their students free access to all courses on Construct-Ed for one year. The Centre is an organization in Ontario Canada dedicated to providing people with opportunities to build a better future.
Circular Saw Safety: Tips, Rules, & Free Online Course
Circular saw safety is incredibly important, because circular saws are one of the most versatile—and common—power tools on a construction site. With the correct blade, they can cut a variety of materials, ranging from wood to metal, and are available in handheld and table-mounted models. Circular saw safety rules must be followed, or severe injury can occur.
Millennials (Still) Don’t Want the Trades. Here’s Why & What Needs To Happen…
The problem: our perception. The solution: our perception. In case you didn’t know, there’s a shortage of skilled labor right now. In other words, companies are saying, “Hey Millenials, we have job openings that we’re willing to pay money for!” and not enough people are taking them up on it.
Business Success Secrets: Do What Your Mom Taught You
Being courteous in business goes a long way. Don’t chew with your mouth open. Elbows off the table. Maintain eye contact while talking with someone. Say please and thank you. Be a good listener. Sound familiar? It should. These are just some of the manners that moms...
Who is Construct-Ed? Think “Udemy for Construction & Skilled Trades”
A platform dedicated to helping construction professionals publish and sell online courses. If you're looking for a platform like Udemy, where you can publish and sell online courses specifically for the construction and skilled trades industry, look no further. We're...
Construction Material Recycling: Handling Debris from the Jobsite
Consider Construction Material Recycling to Dispose of Debris from the Job-site. Do your construction projects generate debris? That seems like a simple question - and one that should generate a "yes" from anyone who is involved in...
Contractor Business Card Template & Guide
How to Design a Contractor Business Card So, you need to design a contractor business card? Maybe you need a new (or updated!) logo? Awesome. We've got you covered. Whether you need to design a roofing business card, general contractor business card, or commercial...
How to Start a Roofing Company
Foundations of How to Start a Roofing Company. If you want to know how to start a roofing company, I think I can help you out. I've been a business owner in construction for years. I'm president of Jurin Roofing Services, founder and CEO of Construct-Ed, and a...
Trade Skills Courses Online
Learn trade skills with these online courses. Learn trade skills from experienced Pros in the industry. Watch Construction Courses Online - FREE. WATCH NOW No time? Enroll now & watch later. Signup with email, and watch the courses whenever you want. ...
Construction Marketing Courses
Learn construction marketing to grow your business. Learn construction marketing from a pro. Construction marketing skills are crucial to help you gain leads, grow your business, increase sales, and increase brand awareness. Whether your job is in construction...
Green Building Courses
Watch Green Building Courses and Learn Online Learn green building techniques from a pro. Our green building courses are published and taught by real experts in the industry. Whether you're looking to learn green building design, learn about green building design, or...
Construction Estimating Courses
Watch Construction Estimating Courses Online. Construction estimating courses online are a fast and easy way that you can learn estimating basics, or advanced estimating skills, at your own pace. They can be easier to follow than construction estimating books, and...
Home Remodeling Classes Online
Browse our online home remodeling classes: courses for remodeling, and design skills. Learn building, design, and remodeling from real pros. If you want to learn home remodeling and design, you’ve come to the right place. Our home remodeling classes are actually...
Construction Business Management Courses
Watch construction management courses from experienced pros and grow your business. The demand for business management professionals within construction. If you're looking to watch construction management courses, you've come to the right place. It’s no secret, the...
Project Management Tips: Managing Construction Debris Disposal
How to Improve Your Construction Projects by Managing Your Construction Debris Disposal Better Let’s talk trash! Every construction site produces trash. Construction debris is an unavoidable part of the construction business. On projects where the scope of work...
How to Become a General Contractor
How to Become a General Contractor: Keeping it Lean, Low Cost, and Starting Small. There's lots of articles telling you how to become a general contractor. But in this article, we're going to give you some tips on how to start a contracting business...
7 Characteristics of Great Construction Project Managers
What makes a good construction project manager? Construction companies are started for the primary purpose of delivering a specific type of work to customers who are in need of that work. If you are a plumber, you start the business to deliver plumbing services. If...
10 Strategies to Grow Your Contractor or Trades Business
10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Grow Your Business This list is a blend of online and offline practices to help you grow your contracting business and increase leads in a lean, healthy, sustainable way. In reality, all of these tactics or best practices are going to...
Construction Estimate: How to Estimate Construction Costs
Construction Estimate 101 - How To Estimate Construction Costs Learning how to do a construction estimate takes time, skill, and above all.... experience and practice. If you're looking to learn how to estimate construction costs, than this article will serve as a...
Contractor salary: how much do contractors make?
Contractor Salary Breakdown: Learn How Much Contractors Make. Determining an average contractor salary is tough. If you're asking how much contractors make, then the answer is: it depends on what state you live in, what...
What You Need To Know Before You Fly Your Drone For Work
What are commercial uses of drones in construction? Are you a professional construction or home improvement contractor? Have you considered using a UAV or drone for your business? Companies are finding new uses everyday for unmanned aerial vehicles or drones. If you...
5 Secrets to Create An Awesome Construction Company Blog
An Awesome Construction Company Blog Annual construction revenues in the United States exceed $1.7 trillion per year. There are approximately 730,000 U.S. based construction companies competing for their share of this work. If you are one of those companies that’s a...
12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas for Construction Workers
Check out Construct-Ed’s 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas for Construction Workers. Are you ready for Christmas? Are you looking for last minute ideas? Christmas is approaching rapidly. Do you have construction workers on your shopping list? If you do, you may be...
Top 3 Skills You Need To Know To Compete For Construction Jobs
Competing for Construction Jobs: Start with the Basics The demand for skilled workers to fill construction jobs is continuing to grow. Are you in high school or have you just graduated? Maybe you are returning from active duty or are looking to make a career change....
Construction Change Orders: What You Need To Know About Managing Construction Change Orders
A look at 4 types of construction change orders, and how to manage them. When it comes to managing construction change orders, we're going to start by looking at 4 types of them. Ben Franklin is quoted as saying that the only two things that are certain in life are...
How to Use the HERS Rating to Grow Your Home Improvement Business
Grow Your Home Improvement Business Using the HERS Rating Energy costs continue to consume more and more of the average American household budget. Just take a look at your home energy bills on a monthly basis and compare them to several years ago. The price of...
5 Apps You Need To Know About To Build A Successful Construction Company
Here's some great apps that can help you grow your company. Welcome to the end of 2016! If this year were a flight then we definitely experienced turbulence! As you come in for a landing to end the year chances are you are evaluating how 2016 is finishing up. Maybe...
5 Valuable Benefits Contractors See Using Drones for Construction
Here's 5 valuable benefits that contractors can get using drones for construction. People using drones for business and recreational use has grown fast. Most likely you are aware of drones or UASs. A UAS is an unmanned aircraft system. Other terms that you may have...
Successful Construction Careers: Start with Intentional Growth
Successful Construction Careers: Start with Intentional Growth (The following is a summary of the Podcast S2: E1 - Successful Construction Careers - Start with Intentional Growth. To listen to the full podcast, click on the play button below.) (Chris Jurin is the...
Contractor Forums – The Best Forums For Pros!
Looking for contractor forums? You've come to the right place. This is the complete list of the best contractor forums available right now. Whether you're looking for a construction contractor forum, a home remodeling forum, or you're an independent contractor looking...
7 Building Blocks that Create an Awesome Contractor Website.
Creating an Awesome Contractor Website Do you own a construction company or a home improvement business? Maybe you are thinking about going out on your own? Have you set up your contractor website yet? If the answer is no, you may be missing a great opportunity to...
Learning to Estimate Concrete Footers for Better Profit
Estimating Concrete Footers Installations Are you a specialty contractor who deals with concrete footers? Are you a general contractor who supervises concrete subcontractors? If you answered yes, it is important that you learn to estimate concrete footers. What are...
11 Steps to Success: A Construction Company Startup Checklist
A Construction Company Startup Checklist This article will give you an outline of a construction company startup checklist. Are you considering starting a construction or home improvement business? If you are the process of getting started can seem a bit overwhelming...
9 Awesome Tools For Leading Successful Construction Companies
Here are 9 Tools to help you Lead a Successful Construction Company Running a successful construction company is like leading a successful sports team. A successful sports team must play good defense to win games. The team’s defense is responsible for stopping the...
How to Become A HVAC Tech
Learn how to become a HVAC tech! Overview of an HVAC Technician’s Career If you're looking to learn how to become a hvac tech, you've come to the right place. If you are someone who likes physical work, you can consider a career as an HVAC technician. The term refers...
3 Valuable Tools that Actually Help Reduce Business Risk
3 Valuable Tools that Actually Help Reduce Business Risk When you first get started with your construction business the sky's the limit. You have grand plans for building a grand company. Or at least building a small company that helps support you and your family. In...
3 Valuable Tips for Developing Quality Construction Project Leads
Here's 3 Valuable Tips for Developing Quality Construction Project Leads Do you have enough work? Maybe right now. But look back over the past year. Did you have a consistent backlog of work and construction project leads? If you are honest with yourself, the flow of...
5 Valuable Reasons for Construction Owners to Pursue Personal Growth
Why Construction Owners Need to Pursue Personal Growth Up before the sun is. Your feet are moving before they hit the floor in the morning. And your mind really never shut down from the day before. Business never stops and the business owner never does either. As if...
3 Important Steps to Improve Your Project Estimates
Improve Your Project Estimates Every project starts with an estimate. Estimates are really just budgets for projects. They are your budget for what you think it will cost you as the contractor to complete the project for the homeowner or building owner. Are your...
3 Simple Tips to Help Reduce Employee Lateness
Learn How To Reduce Employee Lateness The Problem - Employees who show up late for work. Employees showing up late to work is a big problem for construction and remodeling contractors. The scopes of work that most contractors take on require more than one set of hands...
Starting A Construction Company
How to start a construction company, with little to no experience. So you want to learn about starting a construction company? Awesome. Seriously! The trades can be a great way to make money and are a great alternative to expensive education and loads of student...
Why do Contractors Fail to Build Strong Successful Businesses?
So why do more than 50% of construction businesses fail in the first five years? A lot of construction and remodeling contractors start their businesses with big goals. They get started with a few tools and a pick-up truck. They have a dream of growing a stable...
Avoid Being a Construction Industry Statistic
Don't Be A Construction Industry Statistic Are you considering starting a construction or remodeling company? Or are you already in the construction industry as an independent contractor or a small business owner? If you are in the industry, you might get some...
3 Things You Can Do to Increase Your Company’s Chances of Success
47% vs. 53%: 3 Things You Can Do to Increase Your Company’s Chances of Success 47% or 53%. What do those numbers represent? They are the percentages of construction firms that make it in business versus those that don’t. This is better than a one in two chance that...
How do I become a construction estimator?
Learn how to become a construction estimator, how much estimators make, what it takes to be an estimator, and more. If you're interested in how to become a construction estimator, or if you're wondering -"how much do estimators make?" or "do I need a degree to...
Standard Bench Height for Table, Deck, and More
Standard bench height for tables, decks, and more. What's the standard bench height for a table? What's the standard bench height for a deck? How about a shower, mudroom, or work bench? We've got you covered. We'll give you a quick answer below, and also include tips...
How to Promote Your Online Course in 5 Easy Steps
Promoting Your Online Course is Easy with these 5 Steps What if you invented a tool that would last forever and change the construction industry? It would make construction or trades smarter, safer, more efficient. This tool would change people's lives, s it got...
Construction Blog: Complete Guide
The ultimate guide on how to start a construction blog: free resources, step by step guide, and ideas for your blog. Whether you’re a contractor or a construction company – starting a successful blog is a great way to benefit you personally, or your business. In this...
The Law of Timing – Leadership for Contractors
Introduction to the Law of Timing & How It Affects Leadership for Contractors Welcome back! I am really glad that you are joining me as we continue to take a look at John Maxwell’s best selling book - The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. In these podcasts we...
Introduction to the Law of Priorities – Leadership for Contractors
The Law of Priorities Hello and welcome back! Thanks for joining me again as we continue to look at John Maxwell’s book - The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - and how they play into the construction and remodeling industries. These podcasts explore how these laws...
The Law of the Big Mo – Leadership for Contractors
Introduction to the Law of the Big Mo Good afternoon and welcome back! Thanks for coming back and joining us as we continue to look at John Maxwell’s book - The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. We are taking a look at how these laws as outlined by Dr. Maxwell can...
The Law of the Picture- Leadership for Contractors
Introduction to the Law of the Picture WATCH ONLINE CONSTRUCTION LEADERSHIP COURSES Hello and welcome! Thanks for continuing on this journey with us through these podcasts on Leadership in the Construction Industry. In these podcasts we are taking a look at John...
How to read a tape measure
Learn how to read a tape measure fast, and easily in 4 steps. Learning how to read a tape measure is an important skill for anyone to know, especially if you're thinking of entering in to construction or the skilled trades. The good news is that it's very easy, and...
Law of Influence – Leadership for Contractors
Introduction to the Law of Influence for Contractors Welcome welcome! Thanks for tuning in for our podcast! It is the week after Easter. March is a bit confused this year. It has actually proven this year to come in like a lamb and it looks like it is going out...
Construction training: Complete Guide
The complete guide to construction training: learn which method of learning is right for you. There are so many ways to learn trade skills, get construction training, and gain education in the construction industry, it can be confusing to know where to start. In this...
How to install pocket door hardware
Learn how to install pocket door hardware in 5 steps: So, you want to learn how to install pocket door hardware? Well, you've come to the right place. Either read the article below, or watch the free video course to learn how. Pocket doors are still a popular choice...
Concrete Vibration: How to Vibrate Concrete
Learn concrete vibration: how to vibrate and consolidate concrete So you want to learn about concrete vibration and how to vibrate concrete? You've come to the right place! Everyone has different techniques for concrete vibration, and there are so many variables in...
5 Key Items for Starting a Construction Business
Recommended Advisers for Starting a Construction Business Starting a construction business is not as simple as loading your tools into your pick-up truck and heading out to find work. If you do not start correctly, your business start-up can end as quickly as it...
Is There a Construction Labor Shortage?
Industry Trends: Construction Labor Shortage Are you a leader or a manager in the construction industry? If so, you most likely are facing one of two problems on a daily basis. Either you don’t have enough work to keep your employees busy or you are facing a...
6 Benefits of Joining Construction Trade Associations
What's The Benefit of Joining A Construction Trade Association? You have decided to go into business for yourself. The paperwork has been filed, the checking account has been created and now it is time to get to work. As you get into your business, you find that you...
Improve Your Business – 5 Tools to Improve Employee Morale
Improve You Business and Employee Morale with 5 Steps You have worked hard to establish your company. Long hours mixed with blood, sweat and tears have been put in to establish the business. You carry the mantle of the founder with pride. But as any good leader knows,...
Construction Estimating Training: Basic Formulas
Learn Basic Formulas for Construction Estimating Are you exploring construction estimating as a possible career option? Do you have strong math skills as well as strong organizational skills? These skills are critical skills for individuals who are interested in...
Working with Interior Designers: Three Benefits for Contractors in Partnering with Interior Designers
Three Benefits Contractors Have Working with Interior Designers Are you a remodeler or contractor who works with residential or commercial customers? Do you have a working relationship with an interior designer or do you choose to “go it alone” with your clients? If...
7 Steps to Creating an In-House Training Program
7 Steps to Creating an In-House Training Program Do you have a moment? If so, let me share a quick tale with you, a tale with a slight twist to the original story line. Peter and Simon were construction workers. More specifically, they were demolition experts. They...
Assumptions Can Be The Achilles Heel of a Construction Estimator
Key to Being a Construction Estimator - Avoid Assumptions Developing an accurate estimate is a key skill required by any company looking to be successful in the construction industry. Without the ability to estimate accurately, companies cannot compete in the highly...
Workplace Safety Tips – How to Improve Your Company’s Culture of Safe Operations
Safety Tips for the Workplace – Tips on Improving Your Company’s Culture of Safe Operations. Construction businesses, both small and large, are faced with many obstacles to success on a daily basis. Finding skilled employees, winning and managing quality projects and...
Applying Lean Principles for Continuous Improvement
The three main points to applying the Lean Principles system are: The practice of Lean Principles can be applied in a given setting or industry to maximize efficiency and reduce waste. This practice was first developed by Taiichi Ohno and applied to the Toyota...
Is Failing to Plan Planning to Fail?
They say that failing to plan is planning to fail. Are they right? Winston Churchill is credited with saying: “He who fails to plan is planning to fail.” This very simple, but poignant statement is applicable in many areas of life. It applies not only the worlds of...
Construction Industry, Connected Devices and the Internet of Things
Construction Industry, Connected Devices and the Internet of Things On Tuesday I caught the latest episode of the Peggy Smedley Show where she spoke with three speakers from Constructech's upcoming Technology Day on August 27th in Chicago. Growing trends in technology...
Top 5 Factors to Consider when Evaluating a Job Offer
Here Are 5 Factors to Consider when Evaluating a Job Offer Are you growing tired of your current employer? Has your working environment changed for the worse? Maybe it’s a lack of change that has you frustrated in your current position. Whatever your reason, you may...
3 Ways Technology is Improving the Construction Industry
Learn How Technology is Improving the Construction Industry There are a lot of articles floating around on the web about the latest trends in technology affecting the construction industry. The specific technology trends vary widely from article to article, but one...
5 Ways Instagram Helps You Build Brand Awareness
Instagram is for contractors and construction companies too. Instagram is a great little marketing tool you can use to quickly and easily build brand awareness for your construction business. When it comes to marketing your business, the type of content that often...
Accounting for Contractors
Learn the Basics of Accounting for Contractors Are you running your own construction business? Maybe you work for a larger construction company and need to interact with the accounting department on a daily basis. Regardless of your...
LinkedIn 101 for Construction Industry Professionals
Learn how to use LinkedIn for construction industry professionals. LinkedIn is often recognized as being the “Facebook for professionals”. It provides one of the greatest opportunities for professionals to network and...
Leadership Styles to Use, and Avoid, at the Construction Site
Leadership on the job and at the construction site. Before we get into construction leadership styles, here's a question for you: What are the first images that come to mind when you think of an active construction site? Do you imagine a well-organized and clean...
The Best Offense is a Good Defense
In construction companies, it pays to have a good defense. The best offense is a good defense. This adage applies not only in sports, but also in the world of business. A good defense in sports allows the team to spend more time on offense than on defense. A good...
How to Secure that New Job Position within your Company
So, you are looking to secure that new job position… The company that you are working for is growing at an exponential rate. New positions within the firm are opening up, and you believe that you should be considered for one or more of those open spots. But what’s the...
Overcoming the Construction Labor Shortage
How to overcome the labor shortage so prevalent in the industry. Let’s face it, there always seems to be a problem to work around within the construction industry. Projects come in and the materials needed for the project are back ordered for weeks. Either the...
Mastering Take-Offs for Estimating Construction Projects: The Focus 4
The Focus 4: Estimating Construction Projects, Learn How to Complete Good Take-Offs Construction estimating and bid development require professional estimators to complete take-offs. Taking a project off is defined as the act of determining quantities that an...
Business Survival Skills: Using a SWOT Analysis to Determine a Starting Point
Using a SWOT Analysis to Determine a Starting Point Imagine being blindfolded, loaded into a helicopter and then dropped into the middle of nowhere with just a backpack of key supplies and your survival instincts. Your main focus is first on your own survival and then...
Everyone Can Teach Someone Something
Teach your crew how to teach others. It is 6:00 AM Monday morning, and you arrive at the shop before the sun has peaked over the horizon. You are coming in to pick up your job assignments, load your truck and get on the road. Your service manager greets you with your...
5 Benefits of eLearning in the Construction Industry
Learn 5 amazing benefits of eLearning for the construction industry. Very few would argue against the point that that construction industry is more complex now than it has ever been. The complexity of the industry has increased exponentially in recent years. Adoption...
Becoming a Construction Estimator: Performing Quality Site Due Diligence
Part 1: Taking Quality Digital Pictures Are you working in the field as a construction employee? Are you looking for opportunities to move from a field job to an office job? Many see the transition from a field construction employee to an office position in management...
