Wednesday, October 31, 2012
SunModo Receives IAPMO Certification for Ez Roof Mount
VANCOUVER, WA - SunModo Corp., a leading solar PV racking manufacturer, is pleased to announce that Ez Roof Mount has been certified under IAPMO Group for compliance with International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC) as well as watertight compliance with ICC and UL 441 Criteria. IAPMO Evaluation Service has issued IAPMO ES Evaluation Report Number 0248 certifying that Ez Roof Mount meets and exceeds performance requirements of the ICC family of building codes based on third party laboratory testing. The IAPMO-ES report, ER-0248, is available on IAMPO’s website and Sunmdo’s website. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Cuomo pushes protecting NYC against future storms
ALBANY, NY - Gov. Andrew Cuomo continues to push protecting New York City from what he fears is a new pattern of violent storms, possibly including construction of levees and sea walls. He says climate change requires rebuilding the city to help prevent future damage like that from superstorm Sandy. Cuomo says Wednesday the massive undertaking must begin now, repeating concerns he first mentioned Tuesday. At a news conference with Cuomo, fellow Democrat Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand blamed Washington for failing to make climate change a priority. And Sen. Charles Schumer said the nation must take the "bull by the horns" to reduce global warming and protect against rising tides and violent storms.Full Story.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Housing shows signs of recovery
AUSTRALIA - The housing construction industry is beginning to show some signs of life after a series of interest rate cuts earlier this year, although economists remain wary that turnaround is now fully underway. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on Wednesday that residential building approvals rose by 7.8 per cent in the month of September to be up 12.4 per cent from the same month a year ago. St George economist Janu Chan said there appeared to be a clear upward trend in the building approvals over the past eight months. 'We are cautious about being too optimistic regarding this upturn in the data as there have been large swings in approvals over the past few months,' she said. Full Story.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Area's rising demand delays homebuilders, irks buyers
ORLANDO, FL - One of the last things New Yorker Kenneth McDonald expected when he and his wife agreed in May to have a house built in Winter Garden was construction delays. Central Florida's housing market had been hit so hard the past five or six years that he assumed his homebuilder would have no problem securing the workers and materials needed to get the job done in a few months. But the Orlando area's home-construction industry appears to be in a state of transition, suffering from a relatively anemic work force at a time when housing starts have begun to rise. Several local experts say completion times are trending longer as builders scramble to find skilled workers. Full Story.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Calls for property tax exemption
IRELAND - The buyers of newly built homes should be exempt from paying property tax for 10 years, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) argues in its pre-budget submission to Government. The CIF says the tax holiday can be justified arising from the Vat and development contributions paid up-front for building the new home. The builders’ body also said such a move would act as a stimulus for the new housing market. And the Professional Insurance Brokers Association (PIBA) called for mortgage interest relief for both first- time and non-first-time buyers to be extended for a further two years, and not be abolished in 2013 as planned, so as not to hinder recovery in the market. Full Story.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Local contractor finds job rewarding after its ups and downs
GRANVILLE, OH - The construction industry, especially residential, has taken a hard hit this past few years, not just locally but nationally. Actually the industry received the first blow right after the terrorist attacks on 9/11 when construction came to a stand still. Eric Shonebarger, of Newark, and his company, Shonebarger General, LLC, not only weathered that storm, but it helped prepare them for the past two years of economic downturn. While they normally build five to six houses per year, from 2009-10, they built only five. Luckily they had remodels to keep them going. Full Story.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Wells Fargo raises Housing Forecasts for 2013 and 2014.
USA - Near the end of the year, I collect housing forecasts from a number of analysts. From Mark Vitner and Anika Khan at Wells Fargo: We have raised our forecast for new home sales and housing starts in 2013 and 2014 due to recent reports from homebuilders, strong gains in building permits and starts, record low new home inventories, and the Fed’s stated intentions to purchase large quantities of mortgage-backed securities on an ongoing basis. Given the strong gain in permits, which are running slightly ahead of starts, the gain in the Wells Fargo/NAHB Homebuilders’ Index and robust orders data from several large homebuilders, we raised our expectations for 2013 and 2014 to 990,000 and 1.17 million homes, respectively. Wells Fargo is now forecasting total starts of 990 thousand in 2013, and 1.17 million in 2014 (from around 770 thousand in 2012). They are forecasting single family starts of 680 thousand in 2013, and 820 thousand in 2014 (around 530 thousand this year). Full Story.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Sandy may slow US economy in short term, but areas like construction will benefit in long run
WASHINGTON - Airlines have cancelled thousands of flights, stranding travellers around the globe. Insurers are bracing for possible damages of $5 billion. Retailers face shrunken sales. Hurricane Sandy took dead aim at New Jersey and Delaware on Monday, with sheets of rain and wind gusts of more than 90 mph (145 kph) knocking out electricity and causing major disruptions for companies, travellers and consumers. But for the overall economy, damage from the storm will likely be limited. And any economic growth lost to the storm in the short run will likely be restored once reconstruction begins, analysts say. Americans may even spend more before the storm when they stock up on extra food, water and batteries. Preliminary estimates are that damage will range between $10 billion and $20 billion. That could top last year's Hurricane Irene, which cost $15.8 billion. If so, Hurricane Sandy would be among the 10 most costly hurricanes in U.S. history. But it would still be far below the worst — Hurricane Katrina, which cost $108 billion and caused 1,200 deaths in 2005. Full Story.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
City, state adopt green strategy.
TALLAHASSEE, FL - John Baker and his colleagues weren’t prepared for the public response to an incentive program the city of Tallahassee introduced in 2010 for home building. To encourage the use of sustainable construction methods and materials, the city used a Department of Energy grant of $115,000 to offer payments of $1.50 per square foot up to a maximum of 1,500 square feet. "We had people lined up already, before we got the program rolled out," said Baker, policy and program development administrator in the city’s Department of Environmental Policy and Energy Resources. The incentives were available beginning in May that year and were gone by November. Full Story.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Bay Area new-home construction rebounds
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Construction of new homes around the Bay Area is on an upswing this year, showing signs of a return to normal following its surge during the housing boom and its dismal retrenchment during the downturn. The increased activity mirrors what's happening nationally, as builders ramp up after a long hibernation that saw home starts plunge to record lows. A Chronicle analysis of Census Bureau data on housing permits - a strong indicator of future construction as 86 percent become housing starts within one month - shows that this year the core Bay Area counties are on track for more-robust home building. The home construction market is returning to normal as it recovers from the "boom and bust carnage," said Robert Denk, senior economist at the National Association of Home Builders. Full Story.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Sierra Vista adopts new building codes
SIERRA VISTA, AZ - Local builders will have to adhere to an updated set of standards following Thursday night’s adoption of the 2012 International Building Codes. A new set of building codes is issued every three years and this is the first new adoption by Sierra Vista since 2006, Community Development Director Don Brush said. Though most of the changes are minor, the update does include higher standards for energy efficiency, particularly with regard to insulation and windows. The city held a meeting with local builders during the adoption process and no comments were issued since the code overhaul was approved for public comment about a month ago.Full Story.
Friday, October 26, 2012
B.C. construction industry hunts for workers in Ireland
CANADA - A British Columbia construction industry team got a rock star's welcome at job fairs in Ireland, where out-of-work tradespeople are desparate for jobs being offered in B.C.'s north. At a job fair in Dublin, 10,000 workers came through the door, said Abigail Fulton, B.C. Construction Association vice-president. The delegation also set up in Cork and Belfast and made a trip to Glasgow, Scotland, where they met thousands more job hunters. "It was non-stop for three weeks," Fulton said of the trip during September and October. About 150 job offers were made during the trip. Boxes packed with resumés are being shipped to Fulton's office, and applications arrive electronically every day, she said. The association is contemplating a similar trip to the U.S. Full Story.
Friday, October 26, 2012
HOME HEALTH CARE: Considerations in new construction
RAPID CITY, SD - Having spent most of two decades within the new home construction industry, I’m always intrigued when I have the opportunity to walk through a site in progress, or inspect a brand new home. Every year there’s an introduction of new techniques and/or construction practices. The choices and decisions that face the owners and their contractor can be daunting, but with a little forethought and preparation it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here are a few things worth pondering while in the planning stages. If you’re not starting from scratch some options are well suited for a remodel or addition. First, review your site orientation. How is your home going to be positioned relative to the southern sun? Consider installing large southern facing windows coupled with an interior thermal mass. This thermal material can be stone, brick, water tanks or any dense material that will absorb radiation. If you install a circulation system near this southern exposure you can offset fuel costs by helping heat your entire home. Full Story.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Florida, Missouri, Iowa, Alaska Add Construction Jobs.
Florida added 4,200 construction jobs, an increase of 1.3 percent, in September compared to a year ago, the Associated General Contractors said in a report based on labor data. The largest percentage of construction employment gains since September 2011 were in Missouri, which added 4,300 jobs; Iowa, 2,200 jobs; and Alaska, 400 jobs. Missouri added the most jobs during September, followed by Florida. Full Story.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Valley home construction making a comeback.
FRESNO, CA - New home construction is picking up in the Valley after the recession nearly brought home building to a standstill. Since August, at least three builders have introduced four new neighborhoods to the Fresno and Clovis market. Several others plan to open new communities next year. Pent-up demand, a low inventory of existing and new homes for sale and a slowdown in foreclosures are fueling the uptick, builders say. "We finally had a real selling season (February through May), the summer produced quite a few sales as well, and now we're in the fall and the sales are still coming," said Mike Miller, Fresno division president for Lennar Homes. "It feels wonderful to have the production pick up." Fresno and Clovis city building departments have already issued more single-family new home permits this year than in 2011. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
US Housing Recovery Lifts Appliance Makers
USA - It's been a long time coming, but the devastated U.S. real estate market might have finally turned the corner. Sentiment among homebuilders is on the rise and home appliance makers are poised to benefit from more sales to builders. Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) -- the world's biggest maker of refrigerators, washers, ovens and other large home appliances -- reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit Tuesday and raised its earnings outlook for the year. Chairman and CEO Jeff Fettig said the company is reaping the benefits of “positive trends in U.S. housing,” and “well-positioned for global industry demand recovery.” Full Story.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Explore a Seemingly Unrelated Industry for a Day
USA - You never see bankers at a medical conference. Or teachers poking around the construction industry. After all, what could bankers learn from treating patients, or teachers from construction sites? But the answer is plenty. I speak about innovation at conferences for every industry. And I see the same faces, sorted into their industry silos, talking to the same people about the same problems and solutions every time. Similarly, when I visit companies, I see health care people knee-deep in health care problems, their noses buried in health care books. I see accountants up to their shirt sleeves in Quicken, studying GAAP principles. The consultants read The McKinsey Way. You get the idea. This is what these folks get paid for, after all. Full Story.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Where Are Steel Companies Headed in 2013?
USA - Major U.S. steel companies have had nowhere to hide from the crumbling non-residential construction market since its peak in July 2008, largely thanks to the recessionary quagmire the nation entered after the Global Financial Collapse unleashed its fury on us all. Major domestic producers have suffered much more than the overall market (as measured by the S&P 500), with four of the largest by market cap down more than 35% over that time frame. Full Story.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Changes to county subdivision rules raise concerns
BOONE COUNTY, MO - Growing concern about changes to subdivision regulations led the Boone County Planning and Zoning Commission to recommend Thursday night that the county commission include surveyors, homebuilders and other land-use "stakeholders" in a review of the proposed document. County commissioners, who worked for 18 months with the county's planning staff to revise existing regulations, have characterized the proposed document as basically "cleaning up" the county's 1995 ordinance governing the methods for subdividing property and developing subdivisions. But now that developers, surveyors and P&Z commissioners have had some time to review the proposed new regulations, many people believe the document goes far beyond removing discrepancies in the old code. Full Story.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Alabama law may be blocking legal immigrants from licenses
MONTGOMERY, AL - A catch-22 in Alabama’s immigration law may be preventing some legal immigrants from getting state licenses to work in a wide range of professions, from nursing to general contracting. The immigration law, passed in 2010, says that non-U.S. residents must be cleared through a federal database called Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, before they can conduct transactions with government agencies. But few, if any, of the state’s dozens of professional licensing boards have been cleared to use the SAVE system, said a state official who is tracking those boards’ compliance with the law. “The applications are filed, but it’s taken a considerable amount of time to get this cleared,” said John Norris, director of the operational division at the state Examiners of Public Accounts.Full Story.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Surge in homebuilding
USA - The housing sector continued to surge forward in September with a 15 percent improvement in housing starts and the number of permits for new construction rising by 11.6 percent, according to data released by the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The results come on the heels of the Federal Reserve's Sept. 13 announcement that it was undertaking a third round of quantitative easing to buy $40 billion in mortgage-backed securities each month, so attributing the surge to the Fed's effort is arguable. Full Story.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Mortgage Rates in U.S. Fall as 30-Year Home Loan at 3.37%
WASHINGTON DC - U.S. mortgage rates declined, pushing borrowing costs back toward record lows as homebuilders step up construction to meet rising demand. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 3.37 percent in the week ended today from 3.39 percent, McLean, Virginia-based Freddie Mac said in a statement. The average 15- year rate slid to 2.66 percent, a record, from 2.7 percent. The 30-year rate reached 3.36 percent earlier this month, an all-time low, according to Freddie Mac. Low borrowing costs and improving employment are bolstering a real estate recovery. Full Story.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Homebuilding pace the fastest in more than four years
WASHINGTON DC - U.S. home construction is making a comeback that could invigorate the economy's still-weak recovery. Builders last month started construction on single-family houses and apartments at the fastest rate in more than four years, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. And they laid plans to build homes at an even faster pace in coming months — a signal of their confidence that the housing rebound will last. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Housing permits skyrocket 45% in September
SOUTHERN FLORIDA - National construction permits for housing skyrocketed 45.1 percent in September, compared to the previous year, and jumped 11.6 percent from August. Single-family construction permits rose 6.7 percent to an annual rate of 545,000, the highest since July 2008. Multifamily construction permits jumped more than 20 percent to an annual rate of 349,000, another rate not achieved since July 2008.Full Story.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Why the Homebuilding Rebound Has Legs
MIDWEST - Homebuilding is gaining speed because there are shortages of housing in places like the Midwest and Plains states that have stronger job growth and relatively little excess housing stock. The U.S. Census Bureau on Oct. 17 reported a 15 percent jump in the seasonally adjusted annual rate of starts on construction of privately owned housing (PDF) for September, compared with the August rate. Bloomberg reports that the September rate was the highest in four years.Full Story.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Housing Starts Jump 15% to Four-Year U.S. High
WASHINGTON DC - Housing starts in the U.S. surged 15 percent in September to the highest level in four years, adding to signs of a revival in the industry at the heart of the financial crisis. Beginning home construction jumped last month to an 872,000 annual rate, the fastest since July 2008 and exceeding all forecasts in a Bloomberg survey of economists, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. An increase in building permits may mean the gains will be sustained. Full Story.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Builder confidence is at highest level since 2006, with index posting sixth consecutive gain
SOUTH FLORIDA - Builder confidence for newly built, single-family homes posted its sixth consecutive increase, a one-point month-over-month gain, according to the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo. The gain brings the index to 41 from 40, which continues keeping the score at its strongest level since June 2006. September posted a three-point gain and August posted a two-point increase. In July, there was a six-point spike. Full Story.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Tallahassee Unveils Fast Track Residential Building Program
TALLAHASSE, FL - Building permits in Tallahassee now come with a money back guarantee. Starting today, folks building homes will have a thumbs up or a thumbs down on their applications within seven days. There are about 300 new homes built within the Tallahassee city limits each year. Now homebuilders can file permit applications and expect an answer within seven business days or their money back. The City of Tallahassee sees that it's been a problem. It used to take two to four weeks to get a permit, you know, and it was the biggest thing not knowing when you're going to get that permit, said Shane Lambert, Vice President of the Tallahassee Builders Association. "Now we know we're going to get it within seven business days and I can tell my client I'm going to have it withing seven business days," Lambert said. Full Story.
Monday, October 15, 2012
U.S. Housing Continues To Deliver Growth
NEW YORK, NY - The year-over-year gains for single-family starts and new home sales have been sustaining the momentum of earlier this year. And most months' seasonally adjusted statistics for single-family starts, new homes and existing home sales have also been advancing. Year-to-date U.S. housing metrics are well above 2011 levels, according to Fitch Ratings in the latest edition of the 'Chalk Line'. Fitch's housing forecasts for 2012 have again been enhanced but still assume a moderate rise off a very low bottom. Fitch projects single-family housing starts to improve about 19%, new home sales to rise approximately 19.5%, and existing home sales to grow 8.5%. Housing growth should be somewhat less robust next year. 2013 single family-starts should expand 14%, while new home sales advance 13%. Existing home sales should increase 4.5%.Full Story.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Scrutiny for Home Appraisers as the Market Struggles
PHOENIX, AZ - When Justin Olson put his Southwestern-style ranch house outside Phoenix on the market, he got what he was expecting: an immediate batch of offers, virtually all above his asking price, which was set intentionally low, at $197,500, to attract interest. He chose an offer of $210,000. But then came an unpleasant surprise. An appraiser for the buyer’s bank said the house was worth only $195,000. That limited the amount that the bank would lend, forcing the buyer to come up with more cash or negotiate a lower price. Full Story.
Friday, October 12, 2012
A new housing boom
NEW YORK, NY - The long-battered housing market is finally starting to get back on its feet. But some experts believe it could soon become another housing boom. Signs of recovery have been evident in the recent pick ups in home prices, home sales and construction. Foreclosures are also down and the Federal Reserve has acted to push mortgage rates near record lows. But while many economists believe this emerging housing recovery will produce only slow and modest improvement in home prices, construction and jobs, others believe the rebound will be much stronger. Full Story.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
West Michigan homebuilders say their recovery continued into the third quarter
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - West Michigan homebuilders enjoyed a strong third quarter, extending a recovery in the housing industry that began a year ago. In Kent County, homebuilders reported 220 new housing starts in the third quarter, extending their strong second quarter, when they began 217 houses, according to BuilderTrack Reports, which tracks West Michigan home construction. So far this year, Kent County builders have started 624 single family homes compared to 471 starts in 2011, according to BuilderTrack. Full Story.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
This Housing Recovery Is Real
NEW YORK, NY - Full Story.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Elgin advances requirements for fire sprinklers with building code changes
ELGIN, IL - The city council has moved along adopting updated building and life safety codes along with measures concerning requiring sprinkler systems for residential developments not yet annexed into Elgin. The lone nay vote at Wednesday’s committee of the whole session was Councilman John Prigge, who said his main concern is “we need to stay out of people’s lives when it comes to how they want to be protected.” Supporting material for the meeting states, “The majority of the codes being presented for consideration and adoption are building codes. Building codes only apply to new construction, additions, remodeling or changing occupancy classifications. These codes are not retroactive.” Full Story.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Vail proposes changes to building code
VAIL, CO - The town of Vail is expected to adopt new building codes at its next town council meeting Oct. 16. The town of Vail updates its building codes every three years in order to stay current with laws and technology, according to a memo sent to the council by the Community Development Department and the Vail Fire Department Tuesday. The Building and Fire Appeals Board held public hearings monthly over the last nine months reviewing the changes from the previously adopted building codes and amendments to the 2012 Building codes. The board has also added provisions that address construction practices that are unique to the community, according to the memo.Full Story.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Residential sprinkler requirement in Elgin’s future
ELGIN, IL - The proposed adoption of building codes that would require sprinkler systems in Elgin residential housing may not affect new construction for decades. City council members will consider adopting the International Code Council’s 2012 model building and life safety codes during the committee of the whole meeting Wednesday. But, when it comes to residential sprinklers, the Community Development Department is recommending phasing in those requirements. Existing homeowners will not have to change anything about their homes. Full Story.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Rowan hires new chief building inspector
SALISBURY, NC - Local architect Pete Bogle has been named the new Rowan County director of building codes enforcement, the position in charge of building inspections. Bogle is a licensed architect and has worked for Ramsay, Burgin & Smith Architects in Salisbury for 15 years. Full Story.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Construction Industry Improving, Challenges Still Ahead
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Despite business improvements in the overall construction industry, contractors and equipment distributors expect the overall downturn in the construction industry to last at least until late 2013, according to the latest Construction Executive Survey from Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, part of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC). Conducted in August, the quarterly survey recorded the responses of approximately 250 construction industry executives across the U.S. Full Story.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Declining Jobless Rate Continues to Lift Hopes of Construction Workforce
WASHINGTON - As the national unemployment rate declined in September amid the 31st straight month of job growth, Terry O'Sullivan, General President of the Laborers' International Union of North America, made the following statement: "With the unemployment rate now at its lowest rate in more than three years, one thing is certain: now is not the time to turn back policies that are working. While joblessness in the construction industry remains too high at 11.9 percent, things are heading in the right direction." Full Story.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Construction trade school grows, wins accolades
NORTHERN KENTUCKY - The Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky has operated the Enzweiler Apprentice Training Program since 1955. The 2012-2013 school year recently began with impressive enrollment growth. This year 100 students enrolled in the first year of programming at the school; the largest first-year enrollment in decades.Full Story.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Without Florida Building Commission Intervention, Less Protection, Higher Insurance Awaits Floridians
FL - Florida Building Commission (FBC) committees begin meeting this week to consider requests to preserve Florida-specific building regulations for the 2013 code cycle. Without approval by the Commission, the codes will disappear in favor of a generic, international code that will likely result in less protection and higher property insurance rates for Florida residents. Mark Zehnal, CPRC, the Director of Technical Services for FRSA, submitted more than 200 requests this summer hoping to preserve the current code on behalf of Floridians. “FRSA is taking a stand, not just for the contractors but for the people of the State,” Zehnal says.Full Story.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Homebuilders rally following upbeat mortgage application data
NEW YORK, NY - Homebuilders are climbing after the Mortgage Bankers Association reported today that mortgage applications jumped a seasonally adjusted 16.6% during the week ending September 28 compared with the previous week. The association noted that during the same week its refinancing index reached the highest level since April 2009, while its index of purchase prices rose 4% versus the previous week, and 11% compared with the same week in 2011. In early afternoon trading, KB Home (KBH) rose 6.35% to $15.41, Lennar (LEN) jumped 6.60% to $37.30, Hovnanian (HOV) surged 8.45% to $3.72 and D.R. Horton (DHI) climbed 5.55% to $21.86.Full Story.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Nicor, ComEd offer rebates for energy efficient homes
CHICAGO, IL - When Caryn Rosborough and her husband, Matt, started talking to builders about a new Elgin home, they were intrigued by the talk of high energy efficiency. They learned about insulation and Energy Star appliances along the way, ending up with a home 33 percent more energy efficient than state code requires. Pete Stefani, president of Naperville-based Kings Court Builders, said the Elgin home his company built isn’t LEED-certified or up to the standards of the green building program through the National Association of Homebuilders. But the energy efficient house the Rosboroughs moved into in August is Kings Court Builders’ new standard. And because of the Residential New construction Program offered by Nicor Gas and ComEd, the builder got a rebate for the work. Full Story.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Clovis High students learning construction
CLOVIS, CA - Students at Clovis High School are being trained for careers in the construction industry. 28 students are working on a project, building small houses that will be sold as sheds and play houses. A concrete slab was poured on the campus Thursday where the students will begin construction. All the buildings are built to code so the young people are trained for future careers in construction.Full Story.
Wednesday, September 26 2012
Pasture in Fairbury area becomes perpetual prairie
FAIRBURY, NE - The real message coming from Jim, his wife, Ann, and the Northern Prairies Land Trust at the tail end of grazing season isn’t aimed at the cows anyway. It’s for potential homebuilders and recreational enthusiasts who might want to carve off a precious piece of this tall-grass prairie. The message is that’s not going to happen in this area bordered by barbed wire and posts made from ancient-looking Osage orange limbs -- not ever. No portion of these thousand acres of native species -- big and little blue stem, side oats gramma and big Indian grass -- will be open for development.Full Story.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Amish, N.Y. town reach settlement over building codes
MORRISTOWN, NY - A New York town has agreed to drop criminal charges against an Amish community that had balked at following modern building codes for their homes by adding such features as bigger windows and smoke detectors — something the traditional sect members argued violate its religious beliefs. The case tested the boundaries of First Amendment freedoms versus the rights of government to enforce its rules, and both sides made concessions in a settlement. Full Story.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Homebuilders Busy with More New Starts
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS - The construction sector in Northwest Arkansas was firing on all cylinders in August among the region’s five largest cities. Bentonville, Rogers, Siloam Springs, Springdale and Fayetteville issued new constructions permits valued at $45.364 million in August, up 116% over the same month in 2011. The region had a healthy mix of both residential and new commercial activity as the two building sectors were almost equally responsible for the triple digit increase from a year ago. Full Story.
Monday, September 24, 2012
San Francisco weighs tiny apartments
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - San Francisco officials are weighing changes to the city's building code that would allow construction of among the tiniest apartments in the country. The Los Angeles Times reports that the city's supervisors are set to vote on Tuesday on a proposal that would permit apartments as small as 220 square feet, including a kitchen, bathroom and closet. Current regulations require the living room alone to be that size. Full Story.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
US home construction shows strength
NEW YORK - The U.S. housing industry crucial to any recovery in employment and other aspects of the economy -- showed more signs of recovery in August, according to two reports issued Wednesday. The Census Bureau said housing starts and permits rose substantially in August compared with a year earlier. Separately, sales of previously occupied homes climbed 7.8% on a monthly basis and were up year-over-year as well, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Builders started on new homes at an annual rate of 750,000, up 29.1% compared with a year earlier -- when only 581,000 homes were started -- and a rise of 2.3% from the month before. They applied to build another 803,000 new homes on an annual basis, a 24.5% jump compared with August 2011, but a slight drop from July.Full Story.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
US home sales jump to highest level in more than 2 years, builders start work on more homes
WASHINGTON - A jump in sales of previously occupied homes and further gains in home construction suggest the U.S. housing recovery is gaining momentum. The pair of reports Wednesday follows other signs of steady progress in the housing market after years of stagnation. New-home sales are up, builder confidence has reached its highest level in more than six years and increases in home prices appear to be sustainable. Sales and construction rates are still below healthy levels, economists caution. But the improvement has been steady. And the broader economy is likely to benefit. When home prices rise, Americans typically feel wealthier and spend more — a point Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke made last week after the Fed unveiled a plan to lower mortgage rates. Consumer spending drives 70 per cent of the economic growth. Full Story.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Housing recovery blossoms
NEW YORK - The U.S. housing industry, crucial to any jobs recovery, showed more signs of strength, according to two reports issued Wednesday. The Census Bureau said housing starts and permits rose substantially in August. Separately, sales of previously occupied homes climbed 7.8% from a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors. Builders started on new homes at an annual rate of 750,000, up 29.1% compared with a year earlier. They applied to build another 803,000 new homes on an annual basis, a 24.5% jump compared with August 2011. Full Story.
Tuesday, September 17, 2012
Local tradesmen back in demand
JACSONVILLE, FL - When the homebuilding industry started its downward spiral years ago many tradesmen were forced to move and look for other careers. Now, local homebuilders are breaking ground again and want those workers back. Skilled workers like AC Service Technician Bill Applewhite are back in demand. So are electricians like Tyler Roach. Both Applewhite and Roach say they are busy daily. Locally, the Northeast Florida Homebuilders Association says homebuilders are slowly calling back skilled professionals to help build homes in a market that's slowly rebounding. "What you're seeing now is an increase in prices in material and labor and that's why we need a skilled workforce and that's why the Association trains different workers in the different apprentice fields," says Northeast Florida Builders Association Executive Director Daniel Davis. Full Story.
Monday, September 16, 2012
Builders ready to tackle new homes following Colorado fires
WALDO CANYON, CO - Homebuilders in the High Park and Waldo Canyon burn areas are confident they can meet the demand to rebuild homes. But finances — their own and that of fire victims — could complicate those efforts. "I don't think people need to worry about whether the Colorado Springs industry can handle those rebuilds," said Joe Loidolt, president of Classic Homes in Colorado Springs. "We have capacity." But contractors who survived the housing downturn are in a weaker financial position than a few years ago. And many of the banks that were most willing to lend to them in the past are gone or hobbled.Full Story.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Abortion providers must meet new hospital codes in Virginia
VA - The Virginia Board of Health fell in line Friday with Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, reversing a previous decision to allow abortion providers in the state to operate without meeting new, stricter building codes. The question essentially was framed as whether all abortion providers should be held to same building standards as larger, full-service hospitals. In June, the Board of Health voted that existing providers of the controversial operation would not have to adhere to new standards; they’d be “grandfathered” in. Included in the new regulations are larger hallways and operating rooms and more parking spaces. Full Story.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Industry Leaders Want Texas Lege To Fight "Payroll Fraud"
Austin, TX - Tycoons in commercial construction and homebuilding — industries often pegged as harbors for undocumented workers — are pushing back against some of their own, urging state lawmakers to close a loophole that guards employers against knowingly hiring illegal immigrants. Stan Marek, the president and CEO of the Marek Family of Companies, an interior contracting company with offices statewide, said his industry is rife with contractors who purposely classify employees as subcontractors, or “1099” employees — a term gleaned from the employment form they fill out. Employers use this subcontractor classification to avoid paying payroll taxes, workers' compensation and overtime, Marek said, but also to avoid knowing their workers’ legal status. Full Story.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Unemployment Rates in the Construction Industry Lowest Since 2008, Construction Connection Works to Keep Them Low
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Construction Connection announces new positions available across the industry in hopes of putting people back to work. Recent reports from the US Department of Labor show the unemployment rate in the construction industry is the lowest it has been since 2008. One year ago, rates hovered around 14%, but the most recent reports show unemployment among construction workers at 11.3% today. Still significantly higher than the national 8.1% unemployment rate, professionals across the industry hope to see a continued decline in the number of skilled laborers out of work. While economists debate the cause for the decline, job-matching company Construction Connection is recruiting employers to post jobs and hire qualified workers. Full Story.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The Big Bad Wolf Ain’t Got Nothing on the World’s Only Category 5 Hurricane Simulator
FL - When Hurricane Andrew rolled ashore in South Florida back in 1992, it destroyed $27 billion worth of property. The storm was the third most destructive to ever hit the US, an outcome due in part to the insufficient building codes of the time. Structures simply weren't built to withstand the storm's fury. These days, Florida ensures that new construction can stand up to the next Andrew by torture-testing building materials against a massive Wall of Wind. The $8 million Wall of Wind (WoW) facility, developed at Florida International University's International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC), was funded by a coalition of public and private sector entities. Standing 15 feet tall and 20 feet wide, its array of a dozen 6-foot 700HP fans generates sustained wind speeds of 157 MPH. It moves more than 3 million cubic feet of air every minute—that's the equivalent of a Category 5 storm. It accurately mimics wind turbulence via a unique flow management device, and recreates driving rains through an ingenious water-injection system. Full Story.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Bill would advance energy conservation in building codes
CHARLSTON, WV - West Virginia homebuilders might have to meet new conservation regulations if new legislation is passed. Officials from the West Virginia Home Builders Association, the state Fire Marshal's Office, the Department of Energy and the state Insurance Commission this week drafted legislation to introduce to the Legislature in February that would require homebuilders to meet the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, said Dale Oxley, president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Charleston. Part of that legislation also would include an update to the code for fire protection. Full Story.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Construction industry group lobbies city for fee deferral.
SAN DIEGO, ca - The Building Industry Association of San Diego is asking Carlsbad to allow developers to postpone paying construction "impact" fees until their projects are mostly done, rather than before they begin. "We don't think it's right that we should pay (these fees) so early in the process," Michael McSweeney, the association's senior public policy adviser, said Friday as he discussed the proposal. Carlsbad's City Council is scheduled to meet Tuesday to review a staff report on the issue and decide whether to direct the city attorney to make the changes. The meeting is at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive. Full Story.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Judge refuses to block Wal-Mart project in Chinatown.
LOS ANGELES, CA - A judge on Friday declined to issue an order halting construction on a Wal-Mart grocery store in Chinatown, but left open the possibility of stopping the controversial project in the future. Superior Court Judge James Chalfant said he did not see any immediate harm from allowing the retail giant to continue work on tenant improvements inside an existing ground-floor retail space at Cesar Chavez and Grand avenues. But he also signaled a willingness to force Wal-Mart to rip out its work if he ultimately issues a ruling against the company -- which, like the city of Los Angeles, is a defendant in the case. Full Story.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Building codes for solar installation to be revisited
HAWAII - The Hawaii County Council will revisit its electricity code later this month to address complaints from contractors. Hilo Councilman J Yoshimoto said he is introducing legislation to repeal a requirement that a building permit, as well as approval from an architect or structural engineer, be needed for the installation of solar panels on residences. The bill, he said, is scheduled for the Sept. 18 Public Works and Parks and Recreation Committee meeting. The requirements, approved unanimously by the council in July 2011, have become unpopular with electrical contractors. Yoshimoto said in retrospect the rules may go too far and questioned whether an architect and engineer are needed. Full Story.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Builders Learn How to Comply with OSHA Regulations with Updated Handbook from NAHB
Safe work practices of small building companies play an important part in reducing injuries and fatalities in the residential construction industry. BuilderBooks, the publishing arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently released the third edition of its Jobsite Safety Handbook which explains what builders can do to comply with OSHA requirements. The Jobsite Safety Handbook, a comprehensive guide written in both English and Spanish, describes how the residential construction industry can comply with OSHA regulations, while focusing on the most common hazards found on jobsites. The handbook covers the key safety issues residential builders and trade contractors need to focus on to reduce accidents and injuries. It identifies safe work practices and related OSHA regulations that have an impact on the most hazardous activities in the construction industry. Full Story.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Housing construction jumps to 6-year high in August.
EL PASO COUNTY, CO - Home construction in El Paso County surged to a six-year high in August as the homebuilding industry recovery that began this spring continued into the late summer. The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department issued permits for construction of 252 single-family homes last month, more than doubling the total from the same month a year ago, the department reported Tuesday. The August tally is the highest monthly total since July 2006. Building-permit totals have risen every month this year when compared with the same month a year earlier, and have climbed in 11 of the past 12 months.Full Story.
Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
Chinese drywall maker must face U.S. lawsuits: judge
NEW YORK, NY - A U.S. federal judge has ruled that a Chinese drywall maker must face claims over its allegedly tainted product, which has been blamed for causing foul odors, the failure of appliances and health problems. The ruling means homeowners will be able to pursue claims against the Chinese firm in U.S. courts, increasing the pressure for a settlement similar to that reached between plaintiffs and a German drywall maker last year. Judge Eldon Fallon of New Orleans on Monday denied motions by Taishan Gypsum Co Ltd to dismiss four lawsuits filed by homeowners whose properties were allegedly affected by faulty drywall. Full Story.
Saturday, September 1st, 2012
Nation's 'carpet capital' struggles to recover
DALTON, GA - The town dubbed the Carpet Capital of the World is now grappling with a more dubious distinction: The city has lost more jobs per capita in the past year than any other in the U.S. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says Dalton lost 4,600 jobs between June 2011 and June 2012. Most were in industries like construction and transportation — businesses that were struggling after Dalton's carpet-based businesses were forced to shut down or scale back when the housing market collapsed. Full Story.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Town board looks at safety of popular route to school
WINDSOR, CO - The increase in building permits is a good sign for the construction industry and the Town of Windsor’s finances, but the sheer volume of new sites in one subdivision has prompted concerns about the safety of some elementary school children. “There have been over 45 building permits this year in Windshire this year, and that has meant an additional 65 students attending Grandview Elementary School,” said Town Manager Kelly Arnold during the Aug. 27 regular session of the Town Board. “That’s a significantly higher number.” The traffic to the school has increased accordingly, and there has been a significant amount of activity on a dirt road near Jacoby Road. Full Story.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Twin Cities homebuilding notched strong gains in August.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Local homebuilders stayed busy during the dog days of August, as year-over-year monthly permit numbers were up dramatically for the seventh consecutive month and the planned housing unit count more than doubled. In August, builders pulled 424 permits for 948 new housing units in the 13-county metro area, up from 252 permits for 433 units for the same period a year ago, according to the Keystone Report. The combined value was $157.77 million, up from $89 million. The year-over-year increase in August housing units stems largely from a major project that broke ground in Minneapolis: Schafer Richardson’s 204-unit, $39 million Third North project in the North Loop area. Full Story.
Friday, August 31, 2012
U.S. Construction Firms Facing Double-Digit Increases for Liability Insurance.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The commercial general liability market for the U.S. construction industry continues to firm with underwriters seeking rate increases of up to 15 percent, according to a report published by Marsh. Construction firms with poor loss histories are experiencing even larger liability rate increases and in some cases receiving non-renewal notices from their underwriters. After nearly a decade of rate declines, insurers also are typically seeking to raise rates on umbrella and excess liability insurance of between 8 and 10 percent, according to Marsh’s August 2012 Construction Market Update. Full Story.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Harwood Heights considers residential fire sprinklers.
HARWOOD HEIGHTS, IL - Requiring residential sprinkler systems is under consideration in Harwood Heights. Trustees have yet to decide whether to adopt 2009 international building codes or amend the section pertaining to residential fire suppression/sprinkler systems. As written, the code requires such systems in new home construction. Up for debate in Harwood Heights is whether the village should require the system as part of remodeling projects. Full Story.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
New ordinance in the works to regulate S.A. group homes.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - A deadly group home fire two weeks ago has ignited a fire at city hall. City officials are finally crafting a new ordinance designed to regulate certain group homes, like the one that burned up on Norwood Avenue. “It will be primarily code-related, some registration and licensing and building codes. We won’t get into the quality of health care, that’s really not the function,” said city attorney, Michael Bernard. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
County wants more info about new building codes
DOUGLAS COUNTY, KS - The Douglas County Commission postponed approval of a new set of building codes in its Wednesday night meeting, saying that more discussion with builders and public contribution was needed. Kay Pettit, combination building inspector of the county zoning and codes office, presented the plan to switch from a 1997 code to the 2012 international set of codes, which several surrounding counties use and the city of Lawrence is on track to approve. Discussion lasted more than an hour, with Pettit explaining proposed amendments, and commissioners Jim Flory and Mike Gaughan expressing that they wanted to learn more before moving ahead with approval.Full Story.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
U.S. Sunlight Solar Attic Fans and Skylight Tubes are Now Approved by the Latest Standards as Dictated by the Florida Building Commission
INCLINE VILLAGE, NV - As many builders and remodelers are aware, it is imperative to install green, energy efficient products that have been tested to stand up to the toughest conditions. U.S. Sunlight’s mission is to provide “alternative energy for everyday life.” All U.S. Sunlight products have been engineered by home improvement industry experts and designed to improve the energy efficiency of new and renovated homes. In addition to the products’ basic functions to reduce a home’s carbon footprint, U.S. Sunlight understands the quality of their products must withstand the test of time and through the harshest weather conditions. Full Story.
Monday, August 27, 2012
New-home construction continues to improve in July
PORTLAND, OR - The Portland area's homebuilding market is shaping up to be the strongest since 2008. Area homebuilders pulled permits for more new homes last month than any July since 2008. They also pulled more permits through July than for the same period of any year since 2008. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, area builders planned 790 housing units in July, including 434 single-family homes with a combined value of $110 million. Full Story.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Andrew's destruction set new precedent for building codes
MIAMI, FL - Isaac is forecast to bring tropical storm force wind to Southwest Florida this weekend. And while the wind will be little compared to that produced by Hurricane Andrew 20 years ago, lessons learned from Andrew have made our buildings the most wind resistant in the country. Hurricane Andrew's destruction set a new precedent for building codes and materials in south Florida. Now, a new facility at Florida International University tests those codes in category five winds. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
This Homebuilder Tops Them All
NEW YORK CITY, NY - If you're looking for one sector that's crushing the market this year, you don't have to look much further than homebuilders. With interest rates sitting near record lows and the supply/demand imbalance moving toward more normalized levels, the sector appears to have worked through most of the difficulties that have plagued it in recent years. While many homebuilders are among the top consumer stocks of the year, PulteGroup stands out among them all. Helped by its latest quarter's performance, including a 32% increase in new orders and an 8% improvement in average selling price, the stock has risen about 115% so far in 2012. In the following video, Brenton and Austin discuss the rise of the homebuilder in more detail. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Strong Building Codes Only Work if They Are Enforced
TAMPA, FL - Hurricane Andrew, which made landfall in the U.S. on August 24, 1992, was one of the most destructive natural catastrophes in the nation’s history, and it highlighted the crucial role of strong, well-enforced building codes in reducing storm-related damage, said the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Hurricane Andrew made landfall in South Florida as a Category 5 storm, causing more than $26 billion of insured damage in 2012 dollars. The storm left behind miles of debris that was once housing for 250,000 residents and commercial buildings for more than 80,000 businesses in a region that then was considered to have some of the best storm-resistant building codes in the nation. Full Story.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Signs make up bulk of building permits
PLAINVIEW, TX - So far this summer, the biggest sign of activity in the local construction industry has been involved with signs. For both June and July, the City of Plainview has issued 24 building permits for commercial signs. That’s more than half of the 53 permits issued for all construction during those two summer months. The total value for construction in Plainview through the end of July amounts to $8.18 million for 2012, compared to $10.98 million for the same period in 2011. For June 2012 the construction tally is $173,346 with the July 2012 total at $936,688. Full Story.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Oklahoma Green Building Summit set for September 27
EDMOND, OK - A daylong conference designed for commercial and home builders, Realtors, architects, engineers, code enforcement personnel and others in the construction industry is scheduled 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27 at Midwest City’s Reed Center at Interstate 40 and Sooner Road. A social hour will follow. Early-bird registration is $50 per person, with more than 400 expected to attend Oklahoma Green Building Summit. For a schedule and registration, go to www.okgreenbuildingsummit.com. Exhibitor happy hour includes $1,000 cash giveaway, sponsored by the OKMAR Green Resource Council. Full Story.
Friday, August 17, 2012
O.C. hiring pauses in July, unemployment remains 7.9%
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - After two sizzling months of hiring, Orange County lost 12,700 jobs in July mostly due to seasonal layoffs in schools and a drop in construction employment, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday. But looking year-over-year, Orange County job growth remains strong with 27,400 new workers added to payrolls in the last 12 months. Orange County’s unemployment rate in July was unchanged from June at 7.9% and down from 9.2% a year ago. The state recorded its third straight month of strong growth, adding 25,200 jobs in July in addition to the 45,000 positions in June. In the last year, the employers created 365,100 new jobs in California, far ahead of second place Texas with 222,500. Full Story.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Caterpillar Workers Ratify New Contract, Ending Strike
WASHINGTON, DC - Caterpillar, the world's largest maker of construction equipment, said Friday about 800 workers at a plant in Joliet, Illinois, have ratified a six-year labor agreement, ending a nearly four-month strike. Caterpillar said it more than tripled the bonus offered to union members for ratifying the deal, to $3,100 per member. Striking workers will begin returning to work next week, company spokesman Rusty Dunn said. Full Story.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Aerospace materials to build endless pipeline
TUSCON, AZ - Instead of conventional concrete or steel, Ehsani's new pipe consists of a central layer of lightweight plastic honeycomb, similar to that used in the aerospace industry, sandwiched between layers of resin-saturated carbon fiber fabric. In combination, these materials are as strong, or stronger, than conventional steel and concrete pipes, which are time-consuming and expensive to manufacture and transport. Concrete and steel pipes are built in short sections to fit on standard 18-wheel trucks, but Ehsani's new pipe can be built onsite as a single section of virtually infinite length, hence the product name InfinitPipe. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Factories, builders breathe life into struggling economy
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. economy looked more resilient Wednesday after reports showed factories produced more goods in July and homebuilders grew more confident in the housing recovery. At the same time, consumer prices stayed flat last month. Low inflation could boost consumers spending and lift growth in the second half of the year. Economists approached the mostly positive data with some caution. The economy remains weak after a sluggish spring. And a severe drought in the Midwest could send food prices surging later this year and crimp consumer spending. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Pima County passes building codes that help Tucsonans save money and energy
TUSCON, AZ - New building codes will help new homeowners save energy. The Pima County Board of Supervisors passed new building codes that increase standards for windows and insulation. The hope is that those standards will push builders to exceed expectations and work towards "net-zero" energy. One home in Tucson is already net-zero. Allen Veaner and his wife Susan live in the solar powered home. They pay exactly $7.95 a month for their electric bill. The charge is simply a processing fee. "It's an opportunity to reduce the use of fossil fuels or nuclear energy. And we are getting it all free from the great nuclear furnace up in the sky," said Veaner. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Pendulum Slowly Swinging Positive for U.S. Nonresidential Construction
CHICAGO, IL - After enduring a rough environment over the past few years, the U.S. nonresidential construction sector is now beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel, according to Fitch Ratings in a new report. Driving the turnaround is the strong rebound in commercial construction. Spending on commercial construction projects, as measured by the Census Bureau (Value of Construction Put in Place), jumped 23.1% to $143.2 billion through the first half of this year. This compared favorably with $116.3 billion during the same period last year. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
US factory output increases, builder confidence rises, helping economy look more resilient
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. economy looked more resilient Wednesday after reports showed factories produced more goods in July and homebuilders grew more confident in the housing recovery. At the same time, consumer prices stayed flat last month. Low inflation could boost consumers spending and lift growth in the second half of the year. Economists approached the mostly positive data with some caution. The economy remains weak after a sluggish spring. And a severe drought in the Midwest could send food prices surging later this year and crimp consumer spending. Full Story.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Parsons Design Train Shed for Union Station
WASHINGTON, DC - Union Station is poised to undergo a massive redevelopment plan of some $7 billion. One part of that redevelopment will be the construction of a new train shed that will welcome passengers to Union Station as they exit their trains, or conversely, bid adieu to passengers as they leave the city. HOK and Parsons Brinckerhoff are the train hub’s designers. The hub will link the new passenger concourses with retail and passenger amenities and a series of new street entrances. There will also be a planted, vegetated roof to retain rainwater and temper the interior environment. Full Story.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Housing Stocks Jump, Home Depot Asks How High
USA - While most analysts and observers turn to the homebuilding stocks like Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL) and Lennar Corp (NYSE: LEN) – or even real estate related exchange-traded funds (ETFs) like the S&P Homebuilders SPDR ETF (NYSE: XHB) – when it comes to divining the state of the U.S. housing market, there is a savvy set that has suggested for years that an even surer insight into the world of the American homeowners comes courtesy of the performance of stocks like Lowe’s (NYSE: LOW) and Home Depot(NYSE: HD), the latter scheduled to report quarterly earnings before the bell on Tuesday. Full Story.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Mosque opponents target the evils of Islam
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA - After months of arguing over county building codes in an effort to keep the proposed Cordoba Center Islamic mosque and cemetery out of San Martin, the Morgan Hill/Gilroy Patriots are turning the debate to the threat of Islamic presence in the South County with a public event this Saturday. On Aug. 6, the Santa Clara County planning commission approved the Cordoba Center's site-use permit for the proposed building on the 14000 block of Monterey Road near California Avenue. An additional study of a reserve septic leachfield proposed for the site will also be administered before construction begins. Full Story.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Virginia church roof collapses, hurting 2 men
LEESBURG, VA - Two men were injured when a church's roof collapsed at a construction site in Leesburg on Monday afternoon, fire and rescue personnel there said. Three men were working on the roof of a church at 19600 Evergreen Mills Road when the trusses on the roof collapsed, fire and rescue spokeswoman Mary Maguire said. The men fell 30 to 40 feet to the ground, Maguire said. Full Story.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Lumber cars hitting the rails
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Union Pacific is pulling rail cars from storage for the first time in four years to haul lumber for homebuilders, a welcome source of strength for an industry that’s bucking the effects of a slowing economy. North American rail carloads of lumber and wood products this year through July 28 were 10 percent higher than the same period in 2011, according to the Association of American Railroads. Full Story.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Laurel Canyon Residents File Lawsuit to Protect Ancient Wildlife Corridor
LOS ANGELES, CA - Concerned Residents of Stanley Hills Drive, a California unincorporated nonprofit association, in the Laurel Canyon area of the Hollywood Hills filed a lawsuit on Tuesday compelling the City of Los Angeles to enforce its own building codes and conditions at a multi-home development in order to save a critical corner on ancient wildlife corridor in one of the few remaining open connections in Los Angeles. Laurel Canyon community residents filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to compel the City of Los Angeles to enforce conditions it set on a multi-home project. These conditions required the developer to dedicate part of the project to protect an ancient wildlife corridor, one of the last open corridors for animal migration, running through the Hollywood hills. Full Story.
Friday, August 10, 2012
S&P 500’s rally is longest since March
BOSTON, MA - Though the Dow slipped, most stocks rose, giving the S&P 500 its longest rally since March, five days so far. The data showed an unexpected decline in US jobless claims last week, tempering ongoing worries about Europe. And a measure of homebuilders rose 2.3% after JPMorgan said it sees more demand for the industry’s services. Full Story.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Neighbors don't want gas station
COLUMBIA, MO - The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission last night tabled a rezoning request to allow the construction of a gas station on the southwest corner of Grindstone Parkway and Rock Quarry Road, but not before neighbors got a chance to speak out against the project. The applicants for the rezoning — MFA Oil and the Tipton-based 8 Ball Commercial — are asking for the roughly 2-acre tract of land to be rezoned from agricultural to commercial to allow for the construction of a Break Time gas station. The proposal has drawn the ire of nearby residents who say they are concerned about the proximity of the gas station to their homes. Full Story.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Area homebuilding permits jump 21 percent
INDIANAPOLIS, IN Home builders in the Indianapolis area saw a surge in business in July, keeping residential construction activity ahead of last year’s pace. Builders in the nine-county area filed 373 construction permits in July, a 21-percent increase from the same month a year earlier, according to the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis. Through the first seven months, building permits in the metropolitan area totaled 2,456, a 10-percent increase from the same period in 2011. Full Story.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
PetersenDean Roofing and Solar Set to Launch “The Buck a Watt Stops Here” Campaign and Bring Solar Power (Standard) to the Builder and Developer Community.
FREMONT, CA - PetersenDean Roofing and Solar announced today that it would offer roof top solar power to home-builders for a “buck a watt”, as long as the builders hired PetersenDean to build both the roofs and solar power systems for the entire project. The other condition is that the entire community must be solar powered as well. Standing at his new corporate headquarters in Fremont, California. CEO Jim Petersen announced the campaign and stated that since the soft launch in July 2012, more than ten builders in California have signed up for the program and Petersen expects to take the national lead in solar power with this new program within the next two quarters. Full Story.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Finally, there's hope for Florida's construction industry
ST PETERSBURG, FL - Is Florida's construction industry on the verge of a comeback? Government analysts are hopeful. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Florida's two fastest growing types of companies over the next eight years will be specialty trade contractors and building construction. One expert even says the worse is over for the Tampa Bay area. Full Story.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
St. Petersburg to hold hearing for increased permit fees
ST PETERSBURG, FL - Installing a driveway, cutting down trees and allowing dogs to eat at restaurants may soon cost property and restaurant owners more cash. The city is considering an increase in dozens of fees connected to land development regulations and building codes, which would bring in an estimated $105,000 more in annual revenue. The fees have not been changed since 2001, according to a city memo. Almost half that total would come from permit fees for site plans, signs, landscaping, parking and paving projects. Many permits will jump from about $15 to $40. Full Story.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Construction boosted by gas drilling boom
CHARLESTON, WV - In recent months, the Marcellus Shale boom has saved the region's construction industry, a Charleston construction company owner said last week. "Thank God for that," said John Strickland, president of Maynard C. Smith Construction, referring to the natural gas reserves in the Marcellus Shale formation that extends throughout most of West Virginia in addition to Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and other eastern states. "It has put our pipeline contractors to work, our road building contractors to work. That huge private sector has saved our cookies." Full Story.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Amid the U.S. housing recovery, signs of another slowdown
SEATTLE, WA - As the residential-property market climbs back from the worst collapse since the Great Depression, homebuilders across the nation need more customers for the industry to enter a sustainable recovery and help drive U.S. economic growth. While orders for new homes are rising at the fastest rate in two years and housing may be a net contributor to the economy's expansion for the first time since 2005, slowing job growth, tight housing inventories and a backlog of foreclosures threaten to put the brakes on a comeback. "The gun is cocked with insane affordability," said Stan Humphries, chief economist at property-data provider Seattle-based Zillow. Full Story.
Friday, August 3rd, 2012
WPL Publishing Schedules LEED Green Associate Exam Preparation Webinar Series.
WASHINGTON, DC - Within one week, WPL Publishing will kick off a four-part webinar series to help people prepare for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Associate (LEED GA) exam. The series, which will begin August 7 and end August 28, is intended to bridge the gaps between other exam preparation resources, such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) “Green Building & LEED Core Concepts Guide” and “LEED Green Associate Study Guide. Full Story.
Thursday, August 2nd, 2012
Beam signed by Obama raised at One WTC.
NEW YORK CITY, NY - A steel beam signed by President Barack Obama was lifted into place Thursday at the top of the 104-story One World Trade Center. A crane atop the building raised the beam from the ground after dozens of people, including construction workers and police officers, added their own signatures near those of the president and first lady Michelle Obama. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Check Fraud Efforts Produce Results
PALM BEACH, FL - Just months after Florida lawmakers enacted a new law designed to target the role of check cashing companies in the construction industry, state officials announced a string of arrests netting more than $140 million in fraudulent transactions. One investigation revealed that Hugo Rodriguez used the check cashing companies to hide $70 million in payroll by using seven individuals to set up 10 shell companies to avoid paying workers’ compensation premiums while operating a large construction company. Among the check cashing firms used by Rodriguez is K&N Fords, a licensed check cashing firm in Palm Beach County. The owners, Nibala and Kanti Patel agreed to pay some $490,000 to the state following an investigation into their business in September 2011. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
U.S. construction spending rises
WASHINGTON D.C. - Another strong gain in homebuilding pushed U.S. construction spending up for a third straight month in June, a further indication that the battered housing industry is showing signs of life. Construction spending rose 0.4 percent in June following an upwardly revised 1.6 percent gain in May that was the biggest one-month increase since December, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. The June advance pushed spending to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $842.1 billion, up 12.9 percent from a 12-year low hit in February 2011. Still, the level is roughly half of what economists consider to be healthy. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Is Housing Recovery Real? Not Everyone Is Convinced.
USA - Housing, the sector that led us into the recession, now looks to be one of the brighter spots in the economy. Homebuilding is at its highest level in nearly four years. More homes are selling, and at higher prices. Lawrence Yun, the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, says housing woes are largely behind us. He points to increased home sales, rising rents and low interest rates among several reasons why he's certain the housing market is pointing in the right direction. And low inventories mean that price increases "will surely be sustainable," he says. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
NY has plans to limit noise during bridge building.
WHITE PLAINS, NY - The state plans innovative measures to protect fish and people during the construction of the new Tappan Zee Bridge in the New York suburbs, according to a report released Wednesday. Residents will be able to go online to check noise and air quality levels. Fish in the Hudson River will be protected from the acoustic effects of pile driving by underwater "bubble curtains." The report continues to call for demolition of the existing bridge, disappointing enthusiasts who had been calling for it to become a car-free greenway, like Manhattan's High Line. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Murfreesboro mosque foes seek to challenge federal ruling
MURFREESBORO, TN - Opponents of a Rutherford County mosque want to challenge a federal court ruling that overturned their victory in a local court. The plaintiffs filed a motion Thursday seeking to intervene in the federal case, claiming they are “victims” of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, the county’s zoning resolution and local government’s “violation of the Tennessee Open Meetings Act.” The motion further contends their constitutional rights to due process and equal protection as citizens were violated. Full Story.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Madison Fire District changing plans for new station
MADISON, OH - Construction of Madison Fire District’s new fire station may have to be delayed by a month after bids from prospective specialty contractors came in way to high. Chairman Ken Takacs said the board was forced to reject all offers on the table because bids exceeded the original engineering estimates by 20 percent. “We’re trying to make the building as green as possible,” he said, adding the new building will cost about $3.2 million. “But, that equates to extra money and engineering for some of the green applications that we were trying to do. So, we are just going to re-engineer the building to try and save a little bit more money.” Full Story.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Divided Michigan Supreme Court upholds dismissal of Davison schools case
DAVISON, MI - The Michigan Supreme Court in a 4-3 decision has overruled the state Court of Appeals and upheld the dismissal of a case in which the Davison School District awarded a construction contract to a company that wasn't the low bidder on a job. The company had sued the architectural firm of Tomblinson, Harburn Associates, a Flint-based consultant for the school district, which had recommended the school system award the contract to a company that bid $50,000 more than Cedroni, according to the Supreme Court decision. Full Story.
Friday, July 27, 2012
U.S. Homebuilders Fall as New Home Sales Unexpectedly Fall in June.
NEW YORK, NY - Homebuilder stocks have been on an impressive rally as the U.S. housing market has been on a slow but steady recovery in 2012. The Standard and Poor's Supercomposite Homebuilding Index (S15HOME) is up over 40 percent year-to-date. Homebuilders took a hit Wednesday after government data showed new home sales unexpectedly declined in June. Full Story.
Friday, July 27, 2012
How long will the party last for homebuilders?
USA - It's been a rough five years for the nation's homebuilders. Following the housing crash, they battled inventory gluts, tumbling home prices, a decimated economy, and a sharp pullback in demand. But it appears they're back. Big time. A surge in new home orders, low mortgage rates, a significant drop-off in housing inventory, and an uptick in home prices are fueling shareholder optimism. Shares of homebuilding stocks have surged 49% on average in 2012 in anticipation of the big rebound, according to UBS analyst David Goldberg. Full Story.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Corstone adapts its business as economy shifts
SNOMISH, WA - According to a report from the U.S. Labor Department, the nation's construction industry unemployment rate fell last month while the U.S. Census Bureau reported a slight increase in total construction spending. This positive news comes as no surprise to Corstone Contractors LLC co-owner and Vice President Erin VerHoeven. “We're definitely seeing it,” she said. “Our customers are starting to spend money again and are starting to plan jobs.” Full Story.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Accelerating strength in Twin Cities home construction.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - The home construction industry is seeing persuasive indications of a rebound in Minneapolis/St. Paul, according to numbers compiled for the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC). So far this year the number of residential construction permits, units permitted, and the dollar value of the permits are all running well ahead of levels in past years. The cumulative permit value of $788 million from January through July is 46 percent greater than during the same period in 2011. The 3,953 units permitted from January through July is a whopping 72 percent above last year's level. Full Story.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Older Hanford structures not held to higher building standards
HANFORD, CA - Hanford’s historic structures aren’t required to conform to newer building codes unless they fall into disrepair or the owner wants to perform major remodeling that would affect health and safety elements. Otherwise, historic buildings like the Artesia Building, the Opera House, the Bastille and the old Courthouse that are mainstays of downtown Hanford’s character aren’t subject to any added scrutiny. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Redwood City firm sued over dumping of toxic waste.
SAN MATEO, CA - The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office has filed a civil complaint against a Redwood City construction company that allegedly disposed of toxic chemicals in a Dumpster, causing three garbage workers to be hospitalized from exposure. The work included repairing a fence, installing an awning, and preparing the building for painting. According to the complaint, a work supervisor found five plastic containers holding a variety of hazardous materials, including hydrochloric acid, ammonia, Marine Resin and drain cleaner containing sulfuric acid. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
New online job board available for construction workers.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - A new online tool geared at construction industry employers and job seekers is available. The Build Your Future Career Center is sponsored by NCCER, a not-for-profit education foundation for construction training. Students looking for their first jobs in the industry or skilled craft professionals looking to advance their careers can upload their resumes, increase visibility to employers and access job search tools and tips. Employers can post job openings on the website or search for candidates. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Insurers Urge Incentives for States to Adopt Stronger Building Codes
WASHINGTON DC - The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) told members of a House panel today that the measure they are considering would help to save lives and reduce the need for federal disaster aid for the next natural catastrophe. Matthews said that 2011 was the fifth costliest year on record for natural catastrophes, with roughly half of the total $72.8 billion in costs paid for by federal relief or not compensated for at all. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Tucson contractors embracing more energy efficiencies
TUSCON, AZ - Homebuilding is picking up in Southern Arizona, but these new homes are not the same old models you might have bought before the recession. As a whole, they're more energy efficient. Compact fluorescent lights come in the lamp sockets. There are likely solar and water-harvesting options, dual-flush toilets and Energy Star appliances. There is likely less construction waste going to the landfill. And, for the most committed, there is spray foam insulation to seal in the home's air and dramatically drop heating and cooling bills. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
10,000 construction jobs lost in Wisconsin
MADISON, WI - A new report says Wisconsin lost more than 10,000 construction jobs in the last year. The Associated General Contractors of America says the state's construction employment dropped about 11 percent from June 2011 to June 2012. Only Alaska is worse with a 20 percent job loss in the construction industry. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
St. Paul can't override state building code.
ST PAUL, MN - The state Court of Appeals rejected St. Paul's attempt to adopt a policy on egress windows that was stricter than state law, saying city policy cannot conflict with state code. "A city may not circumvent the pre-emption provisions of the state building code by indirectly adopting its own building regulation through a 'policy' rather than an ordinance or formal enactment," a three-judge panel of the court ruled in a 16-page opinion that was published Monday. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
St. Paul can't override state building code.
ST PAUL, MN - The state Court of Appeals rejected St. Paul's attempt to adopt a policy on egress windows that was stricter than state law, saying city policy cannot conflict with state code. "A city may not circumvent the pre-emption provisions of the state building code by indirectly adopting its own building regulation through a 'policy' rather than an ordinance or formal enactment," a three-judge panel of the court ruled in a 16-page opinion that was published Monday. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
California Building Standards Commission Changes Its ADA Code to Comply with Federal Law.
CALIFORNIA - The commission held a public hearing last Thursday during which it declared "a state of emergency" since parts of the state's building code require architects and engineers to break federal law. Its members also revised seven items in the California code to make them conform with federal code. The system still isn't perfect, but Mikiten is confident these changes will go a long way. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Building permits are up in the Metro.
FARGO, ND - The construction industry is off to its strongest start since 2007. That's according to building permit information from the Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead. Total construction value for the first six months of the year is more than $263 million. That's up almost $100 million from the same period in 2011. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Goldman Sachs Bets On Housing Recovery
NEW YORK, NY - Given sufficient job growth and supportive public policies, the outlook for the US homebuilding market has been bumped up from 'neutral' to 'attractive' by Goldman Sachs, a sign that new construction in the single-family housing market could gather speed over the next several years, the firm’s equity research arm said in a new report on Monday. Full Story.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Florida tops in construction job losses
FLORIDA - Despite a recent surge in homebuilding, Florida is a tough place to find construction work. The Sunshine State lost 24,600 construction jobs in June, the most in the nation, according to figures from the Associated General Contractors of America. Half the states and Washington, D.C., gained residential and construction jobs last month compared with a year ago, the trade group said. Full Story.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
BrassCraft Adds Webpage Showcasing Lead-Free Products That Comply with Building Code.
NOVI, MI - BrassCraft Manufacturing, a leading manufacturer continuously developing solutions for the ever-changing plumbing industry, is meeting the new no-lead laws head on with a full range of high quality compliant products. Taking it a step further, BrassCraft Manufacturing has launched a dedicated page on its website (www.brasscraft.com/compliant.aspx) to showcase its compliant product portfolio and provide details on the various mandates. This highly informative online resource will also feature a no-lead countdown clock to January 4, 2014, when Federal Public Law 111-380 prohibits the sale of plumbing fixtures with a wetted surface area containing more than a weighted average of 0.25% lead. This law virtually eliminates the lead content of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings and fixtures intended to convey or dispense water for drinking or cooking.Full Story.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
California First in the Nation to Add Window Film Into Its Building Code.
WASHINGTON, DC - The International Window Film Association (IWFA), a nonprofit group, announced a landmark vote by the California Building Standards Commission placing Window Film, a polymer material offering energy efficiency advantages, into the state building code for the first time in the United States. The change to the building code voted on May 31st and effective January 2014, means window film is recognized across California as a building product just like glass or roofing materials, but primarily for retrofit applications. It can significantly reduce energy consumption and reduce the effects of glass breakage, glare, harmful UV exposure to the skin and interior fading of furnishings. Full Story.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Retrofitting to 'age in place' is new homebuilding specialty.
DAVENPORT, IA - Throughout the Quad-Cities, there’s been a boom in the construction of new senior living options, from free-standing condominiums to independent- and assisted-living apartments to various levels of nursing care.But look for a business that will come into your existing home and tell you how you need to change it to continue living there and the options aren’t so obvious. Full Story.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
California gains jobs, led by trade and tourism.
CALIFORNIA - While the nation's job engine sputters, California's is revving up, thanks to another month of solid employment growth with international trade and tourism leading the way. Employers statewide added 38,300 net new jobs in June with gains in most industries, including construction and professional services, according to a report Friday by the state Employment Development Department. "It's an impressive number," said Christopher Thornberg, founding principal at Beacon Economics, a Los Angeles consulting firm. "This is very surprising." Full Story.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Charlotte, North Carolina New Home Construction Booming.
CHARLOTTE, NC - Construction on new homes in Charlotte is booming. The Home Builders Association of Charlotte says it saw an 80 percent jump compared to last year. It could be a sign of bigger, better things to come. Full Story.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Building code vs. faith: Amish chicken farm near Fairchild fined.
EAU CLAIRE, WI - Amish families facing fines for not meeting modern-day building codes in rural Eau Claire County are planning to appeal their case, according to their attorney. Judge William Gabler ordered on June 22 that owners Clemens F. and Christine J. Borntreger of Edgewood, Iowa, and the tenants of their town of Fairchild house and chicken farm pay a $2,500 fine to the county for violating building codes. "They're between complying with their faith and conforming with the ways of the world," said George Miller, an Eau Claire attorney representing the Amish families in the case. Full Story.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Construction workers take heat in stride
PRINCETON, NJ - The excessive heat this summer has not prevented the continuation of local construction projects, but it has pushed the workers to take extra precautions to get the job done.”We face these temperatures at some point every summer,” said Gary Giglio, operations manager at Arawak Paving Company. “It’s all a matter of preparation and being professional.” Arawak Paving Company is the company heading the Wallace Road project in West Windsor. Workers are resurfacing the roadway from Alexander Road to Princeton Hightstown Road, according to Mr. Giglio. Other additions include a concrete curb, sidewalk, handicap ramps, casting replacements and improved striping and pavement reflectors. Full Story.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Green Residential Manufacturers Needed for Award-Winning ENERGY STAR® House Plans
PORTLAND, OR - The House Designers just completed its 3rd annual ENERGY STAR®/Green Home Plan Competition where 30 of the most celebrated residential designers and architects in the country submitted their most cutting-edge, energy-efficient home designs. “We initiated the ENERGY STAR®/Green Home Plan Competition to encourage our designers and architects to create new, energy-efficient, sustainable designs with the same design detail and amenities that homeowners expect from our popular selling house plans,” said Tammy Crosby, Chief Operating Officer of The House Designers, the internet’s leading provider of residential house plans. Full Story.
Monday, July 19, 2012
June was a good month to find a job around here.
BUFFALO, NY - The Buffalo Niagara region's job market heated up to begin the summer as hiring remained robust at local construction firms and factories, the state Labor Department said today. The region added 4,300 jobs from June 2011 to June 2012, a 0.8 percent annual growth rate that was double the May increase and the fastest uptick in hiring since March. The region has added jobs for 21 of the last 22 months. Full Story.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Homebuilder Stocks: Don't Chase the Mojo.
NEW YORK, NY - With the six-point rise to 35, the NAHB/HMI notched its largest one-month gain in nearly a decade, with the index at the highest level since March 2007, before we knew we were in the "Great Credit Crunch". The strong rise in the HMI is evidence that builder confidence is on the rise, but remember that a reading has to be above 50 to describe the market for new homes as "good". At 35, HMI is below 50 and thus homebuilders still view the market for new homes as "poor". Full Story.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
US home building surges in June
WASHINGTON, DC - New construction of homes in the United States rose sharply in June from May to the strongest pace in almost four years, official data showed Wednesday. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Urgency in Home Building Industry Requests for Support to Spur and Sustain the Housing Recovery.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - The National Association of Home Builders Improving Markets Index (IMI) released July 9th, 2012 showed signs of a stable housing recovery. “The modest increase in the July IMI is encouraging because it indicates that individual housing markets continue to regain their footing despite some recent reports of weakening in the broader economy,” added NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “This is evidence that the housing recovery is slowly but surely taking root, one market at a time.” Full Story.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Governor Brown signs California high-speed rail bill.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - With his most public cheerleading yet for California's bullet train, Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday signed the $8 billion bill to kick off high-speed rail construction and showed no sign he was worried about voters' increasing skepticism for the rail line. The governor celebrated a project that he first signed a bill to study 30 years ago. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
June Permits Up 45%
MEMPHIS, TN - Last month proved to be a positive one for local homebuilding activity, with a 45 percent increase year over year in new home permits. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
US homebuilder confidence vaults to 5-year high
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index surged six points this month to 35, the highest reading since March 2007, the trade association said Tuesday. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Homebuilder confidence vaults to 5-year high.
GREAT FALLS, MT - Confidence among U.S. homebuilders is swelling to a five-year high, with many now anticipating that sales of new homes will strengthen this year even as signs point to a slowing economy. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index surged six points this month to 35, the highest reading since March 2007. It rose from a reading of 29 last month, marking the largest one-month gain in nearly a decade. Full Story.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Gilbert homebuilding continues to surge.
GILBERT, AZ - Gilbert issued twice as many new-home construction permits in fiscal 2012 than in the previous year, providing more evidence that strong residential growth has returned to the town after a lull during the recession.For more than a year, Gilbert has outpaced any other Valley community in new-home building, and the trend grew stronger as the town entered a new fiscal year July 1. Gilbert issued 2,323 single-family permits during fiscal 2012 after issuing 1,138 the year before, according to statistics provided by Development Services Director Greg Tilque. Full Story.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Surging Housing Stats Good News for U.S. Homebuilders.
NEW YORK - In any case, year-to-date housing metrics are well above 2011 levels. This in turn has buoyed Fitch's housing forecasts for 2012, albeit a moderate rise off a very low bottom. Full Story.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Gilbert homebuilding continues to surge
GILBERT, AZ - For more than a year, Gilbert has outpaced any other Valley community in new-home building, and the trend grew stronger as the town entered a new fiscal year July 1. Full Story.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Police probe bid-rigging in San Bernardino
SAN BERNARDINO, CA - San Bernardino police are investigating possible bid-rigging involving publicly funded construction projects and at least two former city employees. Alvarez is quoted in court papers saying it's possible that Lennox, Evans and certain contractors may have received monetary kickbacks. Full Story.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Junk Removal Services Made Easy with SameDayDumpsters.
BRIMINGHAM, MI - Junk removal services for summertime construction projects, home renovations, landscaping projects and more are now available from the waste removal experts at SameDayDumpsters. The roll-off dumpster delivery company provides dumpster delivery to a growing list of service areas that currently includes Boston MA, Buffalo NY, Columbia SC, Wilmington DE and areas of Virginia. Full Story.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Homebuilders report a hot start to the summer in these West Michigan communities.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Homebuilding activity surged in West Michigan this spring as low mortgage rates and an improving economy kicked off more housing starts in suburban communities. According to Builder Track Reports, Kent County’s 221 housing starts during the second quarter were the most since 2007, before the economic crisis that hit the local and national housing market in 2008. “As usual, it’s related to the general economic conditions,” said Bob Sorensen, vice president of sales and marketing for Eastbrook Homes Inc., which started 54 homebuilding projects in the quarter. Full Story.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Analysts Credit Home Building Increase To Record Low Interest Rates
PLANO, TX - Analysts say record low interest rates are building the housing market in some areas of North Texas back up and out of a severe slump — especially for homebuilders. Drive around many parts of McKinney, Allen, and Frisco in Collin County and in northern Tarrant County. You’ll find houses going up in different price ranges. Brooke Pretzel says she and her husband decided to sell their Frisco house and buy a new home because of these interest rates. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
County’s largest solar project under way.
MARIN COUNTY, CA - Construction has begun on what will be Marin County’s largest solar project: nearly 5,000 solar panels mounted on 48 hangar rooftops at the San Rafael Airport. The project will cover approximately two acres in total and will offset approximately 750 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. The San Rafael Airport and the Marin Energy Authority are collaborating on the project and last month signed a 20-year power-purchase agreement for 972 kilowatts of rooftop solar power. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Denver real estate numbers continue to show growth.
DENVER, CO - Denver Development Services' office is issuing more permits and site-development plans than a year ago, a sign that new construction and basic home-improvement projects are on the upswing.Full Story.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Construction could lift state economy.
DAYTON, OH - Rising demand in the private sector has boosted construction employment in Ohio and spending nationwide, but local construction work continues to lag because of a sluggish economy and a slowdown in home building. Increased construction investment both signals economic growth and stimulates it, and the industry is an important employer and contributor to the state’s gross domestic product, officials said. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
New Private Construction Jumps in Atlanta Area, Posting 36% Increase.
CHICAGO, IL - Public construction projects valued at over $1 million jumped 88.8%, while private construction valued at over $1 million rose 15.2%, when compared to the same quarter in 2011, BCI found.Full Story.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Bruce planners to consider 98-acre rezoning.
ROMEO, MI - Darryl Racz of Racz Construction approached the Planning Commission on June 27 asking for the rezoning of 98 acres of land in the hopes of bringing a significant development to the area. The rezoning will go before the Planning Commission at its July 25 meeting. Racz said the amendment would change a contract zoning he received five years ago from the township for a parcel on 33 Mile and McKay roads.Full Story.
Tuesday, July 7, 2012
Home building revives to meet renewed demand for housing
WALNUT CREEK, CA - Bay Area builders are restarting mothballed projects and shopping for land for new developments, spurred on by a shortage of single-family homes for sale. Housing starts are up 20 percent over the year in California, mostly due to construction along the coastal part of the state, including the Bay Area, said Mike Winn, president and chief executive officer of the California Building Industry Association. Full Story.
Saturday, July 7, 2012, 2010
Home building revives to meet renewed demand for housing.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Bay Area builders are restarting mothballed projects and shopping for land for new developments, spurred on by a shortage of single-family homes for sale. Full Story.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Man Facing Jail For Hosting Home Bible Study
PHOENIX, AZ - A Phoenix man has been sentenced to 60 days in jail after he refused to stop hosting Bible studies in the privacy of his home - in violation of the citys building code laws.Full Story.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Home building picking up in metro Phoenix.
PHOENIX, AZ - In 2010, the housing market had crashed, the nation was dealing with the effects of the recession and homebuilding in metro Phoenix had slowed to its lowest level in decades. But metro Phoenixs housing market is recovering. Homebuilding is picking back up, and more construction workers are needed. Full Story.
Thursday,July 5, 2012
Fixed mortgage rates fall even lower
WASHINGTON - Fixed U.S. mortgage rates fell again to new record lows, providing prospective buyers with even more incentive to brave a modestly recovering housing market. Full Story.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Boulder study: Job growth to continue
BOULDER, CO - At the midpoint of 2012, Colorado is on track to gain 35,000 jobs, which places the state sixth in the nation for its job growth rate of 1.6 percent. Full Story.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Construction spending soars.
MILWAUKEE, WI - Construction spending in May across the nation reached the highest level since December 2009 as widespread gains in private nonresidential construction, single-family and multifamily homebuilding more than offset a continuing downturn in public construction, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said they expect the disparity between private and public construction is likely to persist, although enactment of a federal highway and transit bill will cushion the decline in public spending.
“It is encouraging to see such a broad-based pickup in private construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Garfield County rejects home sprinkler mandate
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO - The Garfield Board of County Commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to leave the sprinkler system requirement out of the county code, which effects new home construction in unincorporated areas of the county.Full Story.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Metro homebuilders see increase in activity
NEW ORLEANS, LA - If you've seen a lot more construction in the area recently, homebuilders say it's a sign of things to come. Housing starts are up, and homebuilders are busy in the metro area. "The activity is absolutely on the upswing," said Jon Luther of the Greater New Orleans Homebuilders Association. "This point two, three, four years ago my guys were in the doldrums the phones weren't ringing." Full Story.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Green Building Materials Are a Bright Spot in the Construction Market
The Great Recession wasn’t kind to the building and construction industry, be it residential, commercial or public. But there’s one market sector that appears to have gone unscathed: materials for buildings of the green variety. This wasn’t the case just a few years ago. The sustainable building material market experienced a bit of a slump at the beginning of the recession, but in 2010, it began to bounce back with strong growth, according to a new report from research group IBISWorld. The report, “Sustainable Building Material Manufacturing in the US,” is projecting an average sector growth of 7.3 percent per year for the next five years, including a 30 percent jump this year. Full Story.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Construction spending soars
Construction spending in May across the nation reached the highest level since December 2009 as widespread gains in private nonresidential construction, single-family and multifamily homebuilding more than offset a continuing downturn in public construction, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Full Story.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Reno-Sparks construction spending up.
RENO/SPARKS, NV - A surge in homebuilding pushed U.S. construction spending up by the largest amount in five months, the Commerce Department reported Monday, the latest indication that the housing sector is slowly recovering. Construction spending nationwide rose 0.9 percent in May from April, the second straight monthly increase and the biggest percentage gain since December. Trends in Washoe County reflect Monday’s report. Fifty-five new single-family homes were sold across greater Reno-Sparks in May, an 83 percent jump from April and up 20 percent from May 2011, according to a Center for Regional Studies report using county assessor data. Officials pointed to an slightly improving economy and tight existing-home inventories. Full Story.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Homebuilding Rises by Most in Five Months
A surge in homebuilding pushed U.S. construction spending up by the largest amount in five months, the latest indication that the housing sector is slowly recovering. Full Story.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
June was a good month for Twin Cities home builders
SAINT PAUL, MN - Homebuilders last month had their busiest June in five years in terms of permits filed for construction, according to a report released Monday, July 2. Homebuilders filed 465 permits to build 555 residences last month, according to the monthly Keystone Report for the Builders Association of the Twin Cities. During June 2011, builders in the Twin Cities filed 260 permits to build 385 units. Full Story.
|
|
|
