In any career, it’s important to stay on top of industry news. As the construction industry grows, contractors should observe current trends to foresee how they can best serve their customers. This month, we’re bringing you a few of the top headlines and what it could mean for your business.
Even though we’re already rounding out the first quarter of the new year, additional comparative data is being released about 2015 and what we can expect as we look to the rest of 2016.
Construction Employment On The Rise
According to the Associated General Contractors of America, construction employment has a reported rise in 44 states and the District of Columbia in the last year. California leads the way with a 6.5% rise in construction employment since the beginning of 2015. States that declined in employment or remained unchanged include Virginia, Delaware and New Hampshire.
With business booming in the majority of the country, the question now is, can contractors handle the rise in demand?
“Construction remains vibrant in every state,” Ken Simonson, chief economist for the AGC, said. “Contractors report they’re optimistic that demand for construction will continue but they worry about finding enough qualified workers.”
Labor shortages are a big challenge for contractors. Finding and hiring the right workers is one of the keys to keeping up with business. Some things to look for in building your team is a mix of skill sets and the ability to complete projects on schedule.
Single-Home Starts Rise
The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced construction starts for single-family home projects is at its highest level since September 2015 with an increase of 5.2% in February 2016. Additionally, single-family housing completions for February were above the January estimate of 694,000 completions by 6.1%
Starts are on the rise and that can mean more business for you. Remind yourself of best practices for customer service. The busier you get, the more you may be tempted to cut back in this area, however, you should not be scaling back in this area. Leave your customers happy and ready to write you a great review. Stay organized using CraftJack’s Lead Manager.
Top 20 Cities For Residential Remodeling
Have you ever wondered how your area compares with other cities when it comes to remodeling starts? BuildFax released its list this March of the top 20 cities for residential remodeling. Here are the top five.
- Colorado Springs, CO.
- Orlando, FL
- Denver, CO.
- Minneapolis, MN
- St. Paul, MN
Top trades in these popular areas include roofing, electrical and plumbing. Many of the cities on the list, such as Colorado Springs and Minneapolis say consistent in their ranking for a few years, despite changes in the industry. This is likely due to the rise in home values in the area and the need for homeowners to keep up.
If you live in or near one of these cities, you’re sure to be keeping busy. Get more leads in your area by signing up with CraftJack today.
OSHA’s New Silica Rule
If you work with materials that leave you exposed to crystalline silica dust, this is something you must know. In March 2016, OSHA amended its existing standards to protect the estimated 2 Million U.S. workers that are at risk of serious health hazards such as scoliosis and lung cancer. Exposure can happen when a worker chips, cuts or drills any material containing crystalline silica. This is oftentimes found in glass and concrete products.
The new standards require companies to have a written and implemented exposure control plan to limit the permissible limit, restrict practices that expose workers to silica, offer medical exams every three years for workers exposed to 30 or more days per year and employers to use engineering controls.
“The previous exposure limits were outdated and did not adequately protect workers,” David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupation Safety and Health, said in a press release. “Limiting exposure to silica dust is essential. Every year, many exposed workers not only lose their ability to work, but also to breathe. Today we are taking action to bring worker protections into the 21st century in ways that are feasible and economical.”
Contractor and worker safety is of the highest importance when on job sites and should not be taken lightly. Depending on the industry, employers have until 2020 at the latest to ensure all new rules are followed.
Conclusion
By paying attention to construction news, you can best understand the needs of your customer and adapt your business to industry changes. This will ultimately set you up for success as you gain new business.
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