Number of Women in the Construction Workforce Is on the Rise
The construction sector’s chronic labor shortage is coinciding with a decade‑long surge in female participation. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show the number of women in construction rose from 939,000 in 2016 to 1.36 million in 2025, a 45% increase, pushing female representation to 11.3% of the workforce. Growth is strongest in field and technical occupations, while women now dominate 66% of sales and office roles. Experts warn that persistent pay gaps and discrimination still limit full inclusion, making intentional equity strategies a competitive necessity.
Fleet Safety as a Business Strategy for Construction Companies
Construction firms face high roadway risk, with vehicle crashes ranking second among causes of worker deaths—75 fatalities in 2020. Multimillion‑dollar jury verdicts and soaring insurance costs make fleet safety a financial imperative. Implementing a written safety policy, driver screening, telematics,...
The Role of Ergonomics in Preventing Soft Tissue Injuries for Construction Pros Behind the Desk
Construction firms are extending safety protocols from the jobsite to the office, recognizing that estimators, designers and managers face a growing risk of soft‑tissue injuries caused by poor ergonomics. The article outlines how repetitive mouse clicks, static postures and inadequate...
How to Guard Your Construction Workforce Against Falls
Construction falls remain the leading cause of on‑site deaths, accounting for roughly 40% of fatalities in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. To curb these losses, firms are integrating advanced technologies—drones for remote inspections, wearables that track worker...
How Construction’s Risks, Opportunities and Insurance Options Shape up for 2026
In 2026 construction firms grapple with volatile material costs—up 34% since 2020—and a chronic labor shortage that now affects roughly one‑third of companies, while rising rates for commercial auto and excess/umbrella liability add margin pressure. Stabilizing interest rates, a surge...
Oil Prices Contribute to March Surge in Construction Materials Prices
Construction input prices rose 2.2% in March, pushing the year‑over‑year index 4.8% higher—the steepest annual gain since January 2023. Non‑residential inputs climbed 2.3% month‑over‑month and are 5.4% above last year. The surge is tied to a 20.2% jump in crude...
Full Project Transparency: Why 360° Documentation Is Becoming Essential on Modern Construction Sites
Construction disputes in North America now average over $60 million and take more than a year to settle, while teams waste up to 13% of their time on rework. Traditional photo logs are fragmented, lack context, and are hard to retrieve,...
‘We Need to Lower Interest Rates’: Anirban Basu on 2026 Q1 Construction Economy
Chief economist Anirban Basu of Associated Builders and Contractors delivered the Q1 2026 construction outlook, noting a mixed picture. Supply‑chain disruptions have intensified, yet backlog rose five percentage points and profit margins are projected to improve modestly. A persistent labor...
Balancing the Right to Repair With Evidence Preservation in Construction Defect Litigation
Construction defect disputes force owners to juggle immediate safety actions with the legal duty to preserve evidence. When a defect threatens occupants, owners must secure expert inspections, document conditions, and notify potentially responsible parties. Simultaneously, they must establish a transparent...
New Survey Reveals Overwhelmingly Optimistic Results on the Use of AI in Construction
A CMiC‑Dodge survey of more than 6,000 construction firms found that 87% of contractors believe artificial intelligence will have a meaningful impact on the industry. Respondents expect AI to cut time on repetitive tasks (85%), improve decision‑making (over 70%) and...
Performance Appraisals & Phrases For Dummies
Ken Lloyd’s new book, “Performance Appraisals & Phrases For Dummies,” delivers a hands‑on guide for managers seeking modern appraisal techniques. It highlights continuous feedback, collaborative goal‑setting, and frequent check‑ins as core practices. The volume includes more than 3,300 ready‑to‑use phrases...
Selective Growth: FMI’s 2026 North American Engineering & Construction Outlook
FMI projects North American construction spending to inch up 1% in 2026, reaching roughly $2.2 trillion after a modest dip in 2025. Growth will be uneven, with public‑infrastructure and government‑backed projects providing the bulk of the upside while private‑sector segments such...
Building the Future: Construction at the Center of Technological Innovation at CES 2026
CES 2026 placed construction technology front‑and‑center, highlighting autonomous equipment, AI assistants, and electrified fleets. Caterpillar announced five Level‑4 autonomous vehicles and a voice‑controlled AI assistant for field operations. Startups showcased AI‑driven reporting, underground detection, and spatial‑computing wearables, while major OEMs...
Steel Cooling: Steel Costs Steadily Decline After Pandemic Price Shock
Steel prices have continued a steady decline, with the national average for structural steel falling to roughly $2,344 per ton in January 2026. That represents a 5.38% drop from the previous quarter and a 7.18% decrease year‑over‑year, extending a correction...
Construction Employment Rebounds by 26,000 in March
The U.S. construction sector added 26,000 jobs in March, lifting year‑over‑year employment by 57,000 positions, a 0.7% increase. Nonresidential construction drove the bulk of the gain, contributing 12,200 jobs across building, specialty trade, and heavy civil categories. The industry’s unemployment...