AT ALL COSTS
Construction costs are finally beginning to stabilize, according to Gordian’s updates to its City Cost Index and RSMeans database of key building materials.
Data findings include:
- Lumber prices in most categories have declined an average of 10% from peaks in Q2, although national prices in Q3 remain significantly higher than their pre-pandemic levels.
- Interior install categories, such as paint, flooring and tile, declined an average of 6% over the last quarter.
- Metal prices advanced slightly in Q3, although there are signs that many categories, such as copper, may decline in future quarters.
- Drywall prices continued surging over the last two quarters, with average prices up nearly 23% from 2021.
- Labor rates are up across the United States over the last 12 months, showing an average 6% to 8% growth from 2021 to 2022.
For more information, visit gordian.com.
2022–2023 TECH ALLIANCE MEMBERS ANNOUNCED
Associated Builders and Contractors has announced the members of its third annual Tech Alliance—a consortium of firms that create construction technology and innovative solutions for ABC contractor members, the majority of which primarily perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors.
The 2022–2023 Tech Alliance members are Arcoro, Autodesk Inc., BuildOps, Field Control Analytics, KPA, OpenSpace, Procore, Safesite, Safety Evolution, Sage, Smartapp.com, SmartBuild, SubHQ and Tenna.
“These technology and innovation allies of ABC are leaders in the construction innovation space and align with our strategic plan of ensuring our members become safer, more profitable and equipped to win more work,” says Matt Abeles, ABC vice president of construction technology and innovation. “The world-class products, education and dialogue the Tech Alliance companies deliver to ABC members will help transform the design, build and delivery process.”
To learn more, visitabc.org/TechAlliance.
SAFETY FALLS ON CONTRACTORS’ SHOULDERS
A survey conducted last year by The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), supported by the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), has resulted in a 20-page preliminary report that the ANSI/ASSP Z359 Fall Protection and Fall Restraint Committee will use to enhance voluntary national consensus standards that guide safety. Findings from the survey include:
- Insufficient or ineffective planning was the most selected primary cause for falls (27.4%).
- The odds of using fall protection were 71% lower for individuals whose employer failed to plan.
- Nearly half of respondents (48.8%) said no fall protection was being used at the time of a fall.
- The odds of a fall being fatal were 76% lower for workers who had self-rescue training.
- Those who work for a subcontractor were 2.7 times more likely to die from a fall compared to those who work for a general contractor.
For more information, visit assp.org/news-and-articles/survey-uncovers-key-findings-on-falls-from-height.
YOU BUILDIN’ FOR ME?
Actor Robert De Niro has chosen to use merit shop labor as opposed to union labor on a film complex, Wildflower Studios, he is building in Astoria, New York. Despite protests outside the site calling for De Niro to switch to union, he has stated (via his spokesman) that “it’s essential not to exclude non-union workers from being awarded our construction jobs.”
In an open letter to the Astoria Post, Associated Builders and Contractors’ Empire State Chapter President Brian Sampson supports this choice. “What has happened for this project is what should happen on all construction projects: the owner picked the most qualified and capable contractor who also employs individuals from the community to build the job, regardless of labor affiliation,” he says. “This project has the potential to create thousands of jobs that should be filled by as many individuals from the five boroughs as possible.”
REEF MADNESS
ReefLine, an underwater sculpture park, has finished its first phase in Miami, which includes commissions by conceptual artist Leandro Erlich, reef sculptures, a snorkeling path and a protective barrier to separate visitors from boats.
ReefLine stretches for seven miles and will do more than attract tourists—the project will work to combat the effects of climate change, rising sea levels and coral reef damage.
An open call for artists to participate in phase two has been initiated.
