ConstructConnect Blog

Although the construction industry is in the midst of a boom, project managers can’t seem to find enough qualified workers. As a result, more teenagers and young adults are joining the construction workforce. While construction jobs are an excellent way to teach youth practical skills and to help them gain work experience, they come with some caveats.

Every time you turn on the news, it seems like another natural disaster has struck in some part of the world. From major floods and hurricanes to earthquakes and tornadoes, natural disasters of all types are becoming increasingly common around the globe—including right here in the United States.

Most construction companies are struggling to get paid on time. According to a recent survey of construction company owners, 1 in 5 respondents say that cash flow is a problem they have to face at a constant basis. Only 13% reported that they do not experience any cash flow problem at all.

The construction industry is in growth mode across the globe. Construction output is projected to grow 85% by 2030, highlighting the ever-increasing opportunities for professionals in the field. At the same time, there is a lack of skilled laborers, and those same construction companies state they have a hard time filling positions.

In light of last week’s polar vortex in the US, worker safety concerns have come to the forefront. In the construction industry, where deadlines are strict and the demand is high, extreme weather conditions may not phase some project managers.

The construction industry tops the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ list of most dangerous jobs. This is a fast-paced industry that requires the use of heavy equipment, and often, hazardous chemicals. To complete projects safely and efficiently, contractors need to be supported by employees who are skilled, knowledgeable, and sober.

For many construction businesses the biggest obstacle they face isn’t finding enough qualified workers or even bidding for jobs, it’s actually cash flow — specifically, not having enough of it to pay for liabilities like bills and payroll. According to a recent study conducted by TSheets and zlien, 1 in 5 construction companies faces a cash flow problem.

In the wise words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” This age-old question is one that is taken into consideration in many companies today. Given the construction industry’s great and lasting impact on society, some may even argue that it’s more important for our industry to incorporate community service into everyday business practices. It can seem daunting, but by creating a culture of service within your business - no matter how big or small — you can go beyond profits and productivity to make a positive impact on the communities in which you work.

General contractors and subcontractors are facing a mixed bag these days. On the one hand, they’re experiencing strong, even record demand with backlogs averaging over nine months. But the volatile nature of rising material prices, fueled by tariffs and trade tensions, has dampened some of this enthusiasm.

Fleet management has always been a data-driven industry. Assets generate an immense amount of information, but it wasn’t always possible to access it, let alone analyze it. In the past, fleet managers had to comb through handwritten logs and overstuffed filing cabinets to find the insights they needed to operate more efficiently. But now, thanks to innovative technology, there’s a mountain of information right at your fingertips. Easy access to data is reshaping the industry. Let’s take a look at how.