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 that began in 2024 after pandemic‑driven spikes. Short‑term volatility resurfaced in mid‑2025, notably a 12% surge in open‑web steel joist prices, while broader construction material costs show signs of balance. Tariff uncertainty and energy costs still pose upward pressure on metals.
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...
Power, People, Parts: Supply and Demand on Data Center Jobsites
Data center construction is hitting a perfect storm of delays, with more than half of 2025 projects slipping three months or longer. The primary culprits are power availability, skilled‑labor shortages, and procurement bottlenecks for critical components. Developers are moving to...
Fatalities Edge Down: New Data Reveals a Promising Decline
Construction fatalities in the United States slipped to just over 1,000 in 2024, marking a modest decline from the previous year but remaining one of the highest industry totals. Falls continued to account for roughly one‑third of deaths, while transportation...
Five Lessons From Launching a New Construction Office Location Across State Lines
Launching a construction office in a new state forces leaders to earn trust locally, not rely on headquarters reputation. The first weeks demand clear schedules, rapid follow‑through, and personal touches that signal reliability to clients and partners. Distance amplifies the...
‘Start Yesterday’: Time Sensitive Succession Planning in Construction
Construction firms are urged to begin succession planning up to ten years before a transition, as delays can erode value and options. Experts stress that audited financial statements spanning five to ten years, a strong balance sheet, and consistent cash...
New Names and Faces: March 2026
Construction firms announced a wave of senior appointments in March 2026, highlighting regional expansion and technology focus. Wells promoted Nate Roscovius to director of project management for its Midwest operations, while Swinerton elevated Jay Quackenbush to vice‑president of its Northeast...
Prove It: What Surety Underwriters Seek in Contractors
Surety underwriters are tightening criteria as U.S. contractors chase larger megaprojects and face rising labor and material costs. They focus on three pillars—capital, capacity, and character—requiring strong profitability, liquid balance sheets, and disciplined growth. Digital tools are helping evaluate smaller...
Labor Shortages in Construction: Managing Legal and Operational Risks
Construction firms are grappling with a workforce deficit that topped half a million workers in 2024, intensifying operational pressures and legal exposure. Overtime and wage‑hour violations rose 12% last year, with penalties exceeding $10,000 per infraction, while misclassification and immigration...
Powering Up: How Sentry Equipment Has Lasted 100 Years in Manufacturing and What It Has Planned for 100 More
Sentry Equipment, a century‑old, employee‑owned manufacturer, celebrated 40 years as an ESOP while expanding beyond traditional power‑generation equipment. The company has diversified into water and wastewater infrastructure, acquiring Rebuild‑it Services to rebuild aging treatment assets. Internally, Sentry invested in fiber‑optic...
The Role of Ergonomics in Preventing Soft Tissue Injuries Caused by Heavy Equipment Handling
Construction firms face rising soft‑tissue injuries from heavy‑equipment handling, driven by whole‑body vibration, awkward postures, and repetitive motions. Integrating ergonomic principles—adjustable seats, low‑force controls, panoramic visibility, and climate‑controlled cabs—can dramatically lower injury risk. The article outlines specific design features that...
Frontline Leadership Under Pressure: Strengthening Supervisor Support to Improve Safety and Performance
A national survey of over 600 U.S. construction supervisors reveals mounting pressure to meet tight schedules while maintaining safety, with 45% admitting they prioritize deadlines over safety. Many supervisors lack clear protocols, and 67% have made safety decisions without company...
ABC Supports Trump Administration’s Critical Improvements to Apprenticeship Programs
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration issued four new guidance documents aimed at improving registered apprenticeship programs (RAPs). Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) welcomed the changes, citing greater flexibility for sponsors, reduced regulatory burdens, and alignment with...
Old Military Parachutes Repurposed in Wyoming Monastery Project
repurposedMATERIALS operates a nationwide marketplace that diverts surplus industrial assets—including ballistic glass, expired gas pipe and retired military parachutes—into new, functional applications. The company’s model emphasizes repurposing items intact, avoiding energy‑intensive recycling and cutting disposal costs. Recent case studies show...
More Construction Companies Are Building a Technology-Focused C-Suite
Construction firms are adding tech-focused C‑suite roles as AI, robotics become mainstream. Barge Design Solutions appointed Laine Hiera as its first Chief Design Solutions Officer, a role designed to embed digital capability across operations. Hiera describes the position as evolving...
Navigating the Challenges of a 2026 Surety Market: The Importance of Financial Management for Contractors
Contractors face a tightening 2026 surety market as underwriting standards grow stricter, prompting a renewed focus on disciplined financial management. The article outlines how preserving project profitability, rigorous cash‑flow forecasting, prudent debt mitigation, and retained‑earnings targets can safeguard bonding capacity....
Construction Loses 11,000 Jobs in February
The construction sector shed 11,000 jobs in February, according to ABC’s analysis of BLS data. Despite the monthly decline, employment is up 42,000 jobs year‑over‑year, a modest 0.5% gain. Nonresidential construction fell 3,800 positions, driven by a 6,500‑job loss in...
Modular Construction’s Big Boom: New Risks Outpacing Standard Contracts in Industrial Projects
Modular construction is set to surpass $200 billion globally by 2030, reshaping industrial building practices with faster schedules and reduced waste. While residential projects have already embraced the method, large‑scale industrial applications such as airport terminals are exposing new liability, logistics,...