Deep Dive

Industry insights from our journalists

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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    The heat is on. Contractors say they’re ready.

    Commercial construction firms aren't waiting on OSHA's much-anticipated heat standard to protect their workers.

    Zachary Phillips • June 6, 2024
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    Brian Snyder/Reuters

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    Heat-related laws in Texas, Florida, Phoenix to be put to the test

    As summer begins, some states prevent cities from mandating water breaks. Still, there are commonsense practices to protect workers from soaring temperatures.

    Zachary Phillips • May 23, 2024
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    Sean Pavone via Getty Images
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    Contractors, owners wait out high interest rates

    As long as the Fed doesn't raise already elevated rates, a steady environment could jump-start stalled projects.

    Sebastian Obando • May 14, 2024
  • Aerial view of Georgia-Pacific's manufacturing plant in Jackson, Tennessee
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    Permission granted by JE Dunn
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    Why contractors are still all in on manufacturing projects

    Despite the sector’s recent deceleration in starts, firms with factory construction specialization are scaling up for more demand.

    Sebastian Obando • Jan. 29, 2024
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    Permission granted by Texas Instruments
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    US manufacturing boom unlocks ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity for contractors

    Here are ways construction firms can cash in on the country’s $500 billion onshoring surge and the ancillary projects it is spurring. 

    Sebastian Obando • Nov. 14, 2023
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    iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    Security has an underlying defect: passwords and authentication

    Cyberattacks are fueled by the shortcomings of business authentication controls. Bad things happen when access falls apart and credentials land in the wrong hands.

    Matt Kapko • Sept. 20, 2023
  • A skyline shot of Tel Aviv in Israel, a densely packed urban landscape with a visible coast.
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    "File:Tel Aviv Aerial 02.jpg" by Ynhockey is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    How Israel’s startup culture powers contech innovation

    The country’s business environment is a boon for enterprising construction technology firms, but it leaves little room to grow once a company is up and running, experts say.

    Matthew Thibault • Aug. 23, 2023
  • Aerial view of the new computer chip factory that's being built by The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in Arizona on the North side of Phoenix.
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    Skyhobo via Getty Images
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    Manufacturing megaprojects gobble up workers

    From Taylor, Texas, to Licking County, Ohio, multibillion-dollar factory projects are magnifying labor woes and driving up costs.

    Sebastian Obando • Aug. 14, 2023
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    Scott Olson / Staff via Getty Images
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    Contractors face uncertainty over new Florida immigration law

    New legislation that requires companies to confirm that employees are allowed to work in the U.S. could result in severe consequences for construction firms.

    Zachary Phillips • Updated May 19, 2023
  • A worker looks down at his tablet while on a construction site. He wears safety gear.
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    sculpies via Getty Images
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    Will AI take your construction job? Only if you want it to.

    Construction pros say given the shortage of workers, the tech will enhance more positions than it replaces, but employment law issues remain.

    Chris Wood • May 15, 2023
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    Permission granted by Martin Romine
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    When school is out, construction is in

    As elementary and high schools plan for a surge of federally funded upgrades over the next few months, many administrators remain concerned about spending deadlines.

    Kara Arundel • May 15, 2023
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    Courtesy of Associated Builders and Contractors
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    Banking turmoil stirs up new headwinds for construction

    Recent uncertainty among lenders could lead to new challenges for U.S. construction firms as more projects fail to pencil out.

    Sebastian Obando • April 17, 2023
  • Employees walk in front of a sign outside of the shuttered Silicon Valley Bank headquarters.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    4 ways that recent banking failures will impact the multifamily sector

    After the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature, multifamily borrowers could face challenges finding construction debt and loans from smaller lenders.

    Leslie Shaver • April 13, 2023
  • A sign is posted in front of the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) headquarters on March 10, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. Silicon Valley Bank was shut down on Friday morning by California regulators and w
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Tech vendor risk raises vetting stakes in wake of SVB crisis

    Deposits are safe, but tech startups may no longer have access to venture debt and the lines of credit that helped fuel innovation.

    Matt Ashare • March 29, 2023
  • construction at The Boro in Tysons, VA.
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    Courtesy of Associated Builders and Contractors
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    Recession watch: Why the next one will be different

    Executives from Skanska, DPR, Suffolk and others see unique characteristics in an economic slowdown this year.

    Sebastian Obando • Jan. 18, 2023
  • Edgewater modular project
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    Permission granted by Volumetric Building Companies
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    Multifamily developers embrace modular building

    The sector is turning to prefabrication to speed up project deliveries, but not for any real cost savings during the construction phase, experts say.

    Sebastian Obando • Nov. 8, 2022
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    Tom Merton via Getty Images
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    5 tips for managing FMLA leave and PTO in the post-COVID-19 landscape

    On its face, the FMLA may appear simple, but COVID-19 continues to add wrinkles to leave administration.

    Ryan Golden • Nov. 3, 2022
  • A worker manipulates the quadripedal Spot for Suffolk Construction
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    Permission granted by Suffolk Construction
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    Rise of the machines? For construction, not yet

    Robots' promises of safety and productivity abound, but issues like impact on jobs, added costs and specialized training have kept many contractors on the sidelines.

    Matthew Thibault • June 7, 2022
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    Rocky89 via Getty Images
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    Punching out: The dire state of worker mental health

    "It's important that employers do not view mental health as a check-the-box exercise when approaching solutions," said an HR expert.

    Carla Bell • June 2, 2022
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    2 years after George Floyd's death: progress yet 'unfulfilled promises' in construction

    "I'm working with people who at least aren't openly racist" anymore, one worker said. Construction pros reflect on what's changed — and hasn't — since 2020.

    Joe Bousquin • May 23, 2022
  • Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a podium.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    The Stop WOKE Act may put a 'strategic pause' on DEI efforts

    If the controversial legislation goes into effect as written, it will dampen and in some instances end employer efforts to foster growth.

    Katie Clarey • May 19, 2022
  • Turner Burton, modular project photo, Hoar Construction
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    Permission granted by Hoar Construction
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    Why modular has not clicked in commercial construction

    Offsite building techniques should be a boon for the industry, but modular's market share in North America is under 6%. Why?

    Sebastian Obando • March 23, 2022
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    Oli Scarff via Getty Images
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    Amazon is slowing its fulfillment center spend. What's next?

    Heightened demand put Amazon's distribution buildout into overdrive. To speed up delivery and limit costs, it will have to invest more.

    Max Garland • March 18, 2022
  • Container port with thousands of stacked containers in background, with cranes and containers on a ship in the forefront.
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    Hoarding, ghost orders and pop-up warehouses: construction's new supply chain playbook

    Material prices have hit a 35-year high. Here's what contractors are doing to survive inflation.

    Joe Bousquin • Feb. 23, 2022
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    OlyaSolodenko/iStock via Getty Images
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    4 inflation-coping strategies employed by top US corporations

    Executives in several sectors describe how they aim to shield profits against rising prices.

    Jim Tyson • Feb. 15, 2022