Working to Make A Difference— UH HUB Program Provides “Change Agent” Opportunities for Vendor Participation

Working to Make A Difference— UH HUB Program Provides “Change Agent” Opportunities for Vendor Participation

With a mission to be a valuable change agent toward increasing contracting opportunities for historically underutilized businesses (HUBs), the University of Houston HUB program provided the chance for attendees to learn more information about key construction projects at the Construction Projects Informational Meeting held last month, which included panelists and contractors supporting the UH College…

Business for All: Inside Bexar County’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Department

Business for All: Inside Bexar County’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Department

Since 2001, Bexar County’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Department has made it their mission to create an environment where small businesses can thrive, leading to a more sustainable economic future for Bexar County. The department works to increase small, minority and women owned business participation in county projects and procurement through public, non-profit and private…

Moving Forward: Future of Houston Transit Focus of 2019 State of METRO

Moving Forward: Future of Houston Transit Focus of 2019 State of METRO

With Greater Houston’s population expected to grow by 10 million over the next 40 years, the future of the region’s transit and mobility needs led the discussion at this year’s State of METRO event.  The transit agency’s METRONext Moving Forward plan, slated for the November election ballot, is designed to ease traffic congestion and help meet…

Sen. Ted Cruz Supports Houston Ship Channel Expansion Project

Sen. Ted Cruz Supports Houston Ship Channel Expansion Project

Sen. Ted Cruz voiced strong support Tuesday for the Houston Ship Channel Improvement Project, after being briefed by Port Houston leadership and top executives representing industry along the channel. Sen. Cruz said the widening and deepening project is important to Texas and the nation and lauded the leadership of Port Houston and the business community…

TxDOT Seeking Input on Texas Transportation Plan

TxDOT Seeking Input on Texas Transportation Plan

TxDOT planning the future of transportation in Texas   The future possibilities are intriguing, and TxDOT wants to know what Texans think will be the most pressing transportation needs for the next 30 years. TxDOT is hosting a second round of public meetings to gather public input that will be essential to developing the state’s long-range…

New OSHA weighting system could lead to more inspections

New OSHA weighting system could lead to more inspections

Effective Oct. 1, OSHA put a new weighting system in place for workplace safety and health inspections for fiscal year 2020. The new OSHA Weighting System (OWS) replaces the former time-centric program, which was implemented in 2015.  OSHA said that the new OWS, which was based on an evaluation of the existing program and on recommendations…

CONTRACTORS: SOME STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT GETTING YOUR BUILDING PERMIT

CONTRACTORS: SOME STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT GETTING YOUR BUILDING PERMIT

So, a contractor just finished the punch list on their customer’s renovated building; and they are feeling good that they wrapped up the project early and managed to make a good profit.  After a few weeks, as the customer starts the process to sell their building, a fear rushes over them because they are unable…

The Utility of Arbitration Agreements in the Construction Industry

In today’s ever-evolving world of employment law, it is far from an easy task for construction industry employers to operate their business while successfully navigating all of the potential legal potholes that continue to abound and multiply seemingly with every passing day. This is particularly true in the face of the onslaught of claims lodged…

How technology can help contractors prevent lawsuits

How technology can help contractors prevent lawsuits

Adoption of project management and data collection technology will not only make contractors’ operations more efficient but could reduce the risk of litigation as well, according to Resolution Management Consultants of Marlton, New Jersey. Three main construction technology categories that have the biggest potential to reduce the chances of contractors and owners fighting it out in court…

Prepare for Automated Construction Fleet Vehicles

Prepare for Automated Construction Fleet Vehicles

Technology is changing at a rapid pace, and the construction industry is not without its opportunities to automate processes and adopt the latest industry advancements. The increased availability of partially automated vehicles is the latest example of how companies everywhere can improve the efficiency and safety of their fleets. But that doesn’t mean contractors should…

Slow payers cost GCs, subs $64B a year

A new study has found that slow payments are costing general contractors and subcontractors $64 billion a year. This is a $24 billion increase from the 2018 study from construction finance platform Rabbet, formerly Contract Simply, as the company added general contractors to the respondent mix. Rabbet conducted the study in partnership with Procore Technologies and found that the 51-day…

Owners, contractors have different ideas of what makes multi-site work successful

Owners, contractors have different ideas of what makes multi-site work successful

A new study from Dodge Data & Analytics and Sevan Multi-Site Solutions found that owners and contractors don’t see eye to eye about key factors of how a successful multi-site construction campaign plays out, though a positive relationship stemmed from solid communication is the single most important factor. A multi-site project entails an owner orchestrating work…

How to design net-zero ready buildings on a budget

How to design net-zero ready buildings on a budget

An architect and engineer present a case study and give advice on how to be sustainable and cost-effective at the same time. The term “net-zero” often brings to mind big budgets and expensive building systems, but this conception couldn’t be further from the truth. As architects and engineers, we have everything we need to design…

New USDOT rules would speed up project permitting

New USDOT rules would speed up project permitting

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced two rule changes that could reduce the permitting process for the department’s construction projects to two years. Both are effective as interim policies as of Aug. 23, but the department is accepting comments until Sept. 23. The first policy change mandates that both draft and final environmental impact…

Houston Airport System unveils Sustainable Management Plan to align its local, global goals

Houston Airport System unveils Sustainable Management Plan to align its local, global goals

New initiative seen as essential to enhancing sustainability in areas of design, procurement, assets and infrastructure. In support of the City of Houston’s Climate Action Plan and in keeping with its commitment to being recognized as a “five-star, global air service gateway where the magic of flight is celebrated,” the Houston Airport System (HAS) is promoting…

Working Safely Near Overhead Power Lines

Working with or near power lines can expose workers to electrical hazards, but these dangers can be avoided through safe work practices. These practical steps can prevent injuries from contact with power lines. Conduct a hazard assessment to identify and address potential safety hazards before work begins. Ask the electric company to de-energize and ground…