Search
|
|
|
| Categories |
|
|
| Industry News |
|
|
| Code Quizzes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monday, March 15, 2010
Organizations Collaborate to create standards for green building.
ASHRAE, ICC, USGBC, and IES have come together to establish green building code designed to accelerate green building practice across US. The culmination of such work, International Green Construction Code (IGCC), represents merger of 2 national efforts to develop adoptable and enforceable green building codes. IGCC provides building industry with language that broadens and strengthens building codes as to hasten construction of high-performance green buildings. Full Story.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Permits perk up: Recent building activity may show slump has hit bottom
FORT COLLINS, CO - Two months of improved numbers do not constitute a trend, but the number of building permits issued recently appears to be an encouraging sign that Northern Colorado home building is picking up. Through January and February, permits are up in every Larimer County municipality as well as Windsor, which sits in Weld and Larimer counties. Full Story.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Color the home-building outlook rosy as DeSoto begins to see light
MEMPHIS, TN - Optimistic officials and builders in DeSoto County say the corner may have turned toward sustained economic growth as reflected in construction approvals for single-family homes. Full Story.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Builder sees ‘pockets of strength’ in SoCal
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Longtime homebuilding executive William H. McFarland has taken the reins as CEO of FNE Holdings LLC, the parent company of Irvine-based Fieldstone Homes. The 29-year-old Fieldstone has built nearly 26,000 homes in Southern California, Utah and Texas. In the past, McFarland served in various executive positions at the Irvine Co., overseeing homebuilding and apartments. He was last in the news as one of four members of the William Lyon Homes board who resigned in a public spat with the company’s co-founder and namesake over his efforts to take that firm private. McFarland declined to answer any questions about Lyon Homes, preferring to speak instead about future prospects for Fieldstone. Full Story.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Home starts off to roaring start in 2010
KENNEWICK, WA- The home building industry in the Tri-Cities is off to a roaring start this year. Permits for new construction are up 255 percent from this time last year. While the recession hasn't affected the Tri-Cities housing market like other parts of the country, 2009 was a rough year. Still, Renee Dahlgren of the Homebuilders Association of the Tri-Cities says things turned around in the summertime. "From June to September we had a 37 percent in housing starts, so the year started off not so great, but we ended on a really high note." Full Story.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Pa. judge won't reverse changes to building codes
HARRISBURG, PA - A state judge will not grant an injunction stopping new changes to Pennsylvania's residential and commercial building codes. Commonwealth Court Judge Johnny Butler said in a Wednesday order that the petition by the Pennsylvania Builders Association and private developers does nothing to address the underlying issue they are citing. Full Story.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Modular home fire investigation may lead to building code changes
BOSTON, MA - State officials are considering significant changes to the state building code in the wake of a Fox Undercover investigation into fast-moving fires in modular homes. Our report last week highlighted concerns that large empty areas called “void spaces” between floors and highly flammable glue foam used to hold up ceilings pose potential safety hazards to both modular homeowners and firefighters. Full Story.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Going ‘Green’ Designation for Melrose would mean more funding, but stricter rules
MELROSE, MA - Melrose — What’s the benefit — and cost — of going green? Melrose City Hall officials aim to find out in their pursuit of a “Green Community” designation from the state, which would entitle the city to specific grants. However, it would also require the city to meet five criteria — including the adoption of more stringent building code focused on energy efficiency. Full Story.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
A Green Code That Was Worth the Wait
The Code Council's International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is the first and only green building code that facilitates a minimum level of sustainability, is based on the same clear, easy-to-use sequence that makes the I-Codes the most accepted code adoption platform in the U.S. The IGCC is the most comprehensive and effective code for alternative water sources and encompasses the latest alternative energy sources for ever greater sustainable design. Full Story.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Builder focuses on the environment
CHICAGO, IL - Downers Grove resident Craig Oddo is a veteran carpenter looking to make home building something more than just digging a hole and putting up a structure, without a thought as to the environmental impact of all that construction debris. And if future home builders take his advice, the construction industry just might become one of the more environmentally friendly enterprises we have. Full Story.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Higher lumber costs complicate housing recovery
As permit numbers go up, so do prices
Full Story.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tyler adopts Existing Building Code
TYLER, TX - At their meeting March 10, the Tyler City Council voted unanimously to adopt the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) which is designed to encourage the re-use of older existing buildings and help efforts to revitalize older areas of the city. A property owner who possesses an older existing building will be able to utilize a code written specifically for these structures, as opposed to standards written for new buildings. Full Story.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Green homes face a red light
NEW YORK - Lots of people, especially those trying to battle high utility bills, believe in energy-efficient homebuilding. But there's something holding green technology back: It simply costs more to include it than it adds to resale value Full Story.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Owners oppose changes
NEWPORT, OR - Citizens fighting proposed geological hazard building code. The City of Newport’s plan to update its geological hazard building codes met with fierce resistance from property owners and others during a three-hour public hearing Monday night. Full Story.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Road Home for drywall victims?
NEW ORLEANS, LA - Members of the Homebuilders Association of Greater New Orleans and the state organization have one goal when it comes to tainted Chinese drywall – “to get people back in their homes.” Jon Luther, executive vice president of the Homebuilders Association of Greater New Orleans said his group has came up with a solution that involves using left over Road Home money to issue grants to pay for necessary remediation. Full Story.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Confusion surrounding PLANiTULSA
TULSA, OK - Confusion over the final draft of the PLANiTULSA comprehensive plan left officials answering questions Wednesday. Some Tulsans say the plan puts too many restrictions on homebuilders and homeowners. "I think this issue affects every property owner in the whole city and it's a drastic change from the way Tulsa has always done business." said realtor Martha Thomas Cobb. Full Story.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Economist sees less damage from recession in Conn.
Economist says Conn. hurt less by recession than other states due to fewer housing troubles
HARTFORD, CT - A University of Connecticut economist says the state was not hurt as badly by the recession as elsewhere. Professor Steven Lanza said Wednesday that because Connecticut did not have what he called a home building frenzy that occurred in other states it was spared the worst of the downturn. Full Story.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Vail Colorado's Announcement of New Green Building Code Impacts Future and Current Real Estate Developments
VAIL, CO - In recent news, the Vail Valley Partnership has recently named the town of Vail’s environmental team as the Green Business of the Year, an accolade that’s indicative of the success of the ski town’s environmental programs as well as of the strength of its ongoing commitment towards “going green.” In addition to this news, the town is working towards implementing a green building code with an emphasis on energy-saving which will not only impact the city's future developments, but also Vail residential real estate. Full Story.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
European Union to Support Construction of Solar Energy Farms in Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH — The European Union is likely to help establish solar energy farms in different parts of Saudi Arabia, according to local media reports. The reports said that Germany’s Siemens Company will transport the energy using advanced electrical cables, which would be carried out within the next three years. Full Story.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Construction industry at worst since Great Depression
CHICAGO, IL - For Oak Lawn construction worker Christopher Allaway, installing metal roofs while teetering on 4-inch-wide steel beams is an adrenaline rush. “That’s when I know I’m alive,” says Allaway, a 20-year industry veteran who often worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks before he was laid off in July. Despite enduring the longest hiatus of his life, he has no plans to switch careers. Full Story.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Buh-Bye McMansion, Hello Modular Mansion!
They only account for 3 percent of the home construction market, but factory-made mansions are gaining in popularity.
Prefab, so-called "modular" mansions are the new craze in home construction, reports The Washington Post. Modular homes, of course, have been around since the 1920s, but the trailer-like stigma of assembly-line homes has been chipped away by our tough economic times. With more luxury options available, now even monied home buyers see modular homes as a way to get more bang for their buck. Full Story.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Builders Say ‘Cash For Caulkers’ Will Create Jobs
The nation's homebuilders are throwing their support behind a $6 billion proposal to provide rebates to homeowners who make energy-saving home improvements. President Barack Obama announced the so-called ‘Cash for Caulkers' program earlier this week. Full Story.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thieves Take Thousands from Oklahoma City Homebuilders
YUKON, OK - Several local homebuilding are out thousands of dollars after thieves targeted their work sites stealing their material. Tire marks lined the back of one of the homes in the Shire Lea subdivision, and a piece of wood laid perfectly against the wall. The man responsible for building the house said that was all evidence of what was used to rip him off of 120 packages of shingles. Full Story.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Does a Toyota Problem Exist Within Your Company?
Why CEOs and boards of directors at home building firms should demand independent operational audits in addition to their financial examinations.
After watching Toyota's management respond to the recent recalls of some of its most popular car models, you have to wonder how much senior management and its board of directors really knew about the potential severity of these problems before these issues burst forth as huge liabilities, both financially and for the brand equity of the company. Full Story.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Temblor in Chile gives California insight
When an earthquake is powerful enough to shift Earth’s axis, even the toughest building codes in the world won’t stand tall. The Saturday temblor in Chile registered a magnitude of 8.8. It was the world’s fifth-largest quake since 1900, strong enough to tweak the planet’s axis more than 3 inches and speed its spin ever so slightly. Full Story.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
York Tech first to earn national accredition for home building program
ROCK HILL, SC - When trying to build an energy-efficient home, the little things matter. Tiny holes in the wall or improperly caulked or insulated ceilings, for example, can drive up energy use and mean higher bills for the homeowner. Some mistakes happen during construction, but York Technical College hopes to train a new generation of workers who will know how to build a house to ensure maximum energy efficiency. Full Story.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Housing: Hope on the Horizon
You would think the nation's biggest homebuilders would be writhing in pain right about now. Sales of new single-family homes sank in January to the lowest seasonally adjusted rate in nearly five decades of record keeping and are now off 78% from the housing market's frothy peak in 2005. Yet in a housing industry as vast and varied as America's, the data often fail to keep up with reality. It turns out that big publicly traded builders, thanks to cost-cutting, asset sales, bond issues, and tax breaks, aren't in grim shape. Their shares have nearly doubled over the past year and they're back in the game of competing for land, reflecting confidence that after years of falling prices, rising foreclosures, and busted dreams, better days are ahead. Full Story.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Green Building Gets a Boost in Bethesda
BETHESDA, MD - SEED -- a home building company dedicated to sustainable, energy-efficient home building -- has completed its move to Bethesda, MD. "Bethesda is rapidly becoming the hotspot for green building in the area, as the community thrives to live a more sustainable lifestyle," said Rachel Puri, Manager of Operations at SEED. "We have upcoming projects in Bethesda and are glad to be part of the growing community of green builders headquartered here." Full Story.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Lessons From Chile: Better Building Codes Work, so Why Don't We Have Them?
Chile's seismic construction codes saved lives in the latest quake, but what if the next Big One happens here?
The earthquake in Haiti prompted a lot of architectural analysis of buildings there, and in megacities around the world. Without proper planning--and stricter building codes--most of the biggest cities on earth are "rubble in waiting." (See a round-up of the current discussions about Haiti here.) If Haiti showed architecture's failure, Chile might show its success. Full Story.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Earthquake Expert Returns From Haiti
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - Brady Cox, an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas, recently returned from a trip to Haiti to survey the damage following a massive earthquake. "They need a lot of help and I don't know how they are going to recover. I don't even know how they can clean up, let alone rebuild," Cox said. Full Story.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
As stimulus money dwindles, construction industry grasps for more federal help
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - A key federal transportation stimulus program expired Feb. 28, and the construction industry fears it will face mass layoffs and financial loss unless $932 million in earmarks are approved within weeks. “Federal funding has been giving contractors the lifeline they need to stay in business,” said Associated General Contractors of America chief economist Ken Simonson.“Without federal funds, total spending on highway and transportation projects is sure to plummet this year,” he said. Full Story.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Intertek Offers New White Paper on the "Green" Revolution and what it means for the building and construction industry
Overview of the environmental revolution and the growing popularity of "green claims" within the building and construction industry
BOXBOROUGH, MA - Intertek, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, is offering a free white paper, "Green" Revolution: What does it mean to the building products industry? This paper talks about the challenges manufacturers face when making "green" claims about their products and how to eliminate those challenges. Full Story.
Monday, March 1, 2010
How bad would quake damage be here?
PORTLAND, OR - Despite strong building codes here a major earthquake in the Northwest, like the one that struck Chile, would still cause widespread devastation in the Portland area, experts say. In downtown Portland tall buildings would shake violently, winds could carry glass as far as a half mile away, rubble would be everywhere, and there would be casualties. Full Story.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Chile earthquake: How California would fare
LOS ANGELES, CA - California is well prepared to deal with an earthquake on par with the Chile earthquake on Saturday, but residents can do more to help themselves, disaster preparedness experts say. Because it lies on the San Andreas fault, the tectonic boundary between the Pacific and the North American plates, California’s vulnerability to earthquakes has been well-documented since the late 1800s. Because building codes call for steel reinforcements – some tall buildings are even built on rolling foundations – the physical devastation to man-made structures that would happen here in a massive earthquake would be far less than Haiti or Chile. Full Story.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Building codes help protect homes, businesses from earthquakes
PADUCAH, KY - Experts say recent earthquakes in Chile and Haiti should serve as a wake-up call that everyone needs to be prepared. One area of preparation some people might not think about checking are area building codes. The Institute for Business and Home Safety says building codes saves lives in Chile's most recent earthquake because certain areas of that country have codes that require buildings be able to withstand ground movement. Local builders say similar codes and guidelines are a must in our region because parts of Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky, Southeast Missouri and Northwest Tennessee are in the New Madred Fault Zone, an area prone to earthquakes. Full Story.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Earthquake building codes
MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Lately, we've seen buildings reduced to rubble from earthquakes in Haiti and Chile. With the Grand Strand in an earthquake zone, we wanted to know how well buildings here would hold up in a quake like one of those. No one would ever say we're lucky to live in an area that's prone to hurricanes, but there is one good thing about that. The same structural features that make buildings resistant to hurricanes also help protect them from earthquakes. Full Story.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Builders oppose plan to require home sprinklers
Some in York County will fight S.C. change, saying it will add thousands to the cost of new homes.
CHARLOTTE, NC - York County homebuilders plan to fight a proposal by the state's construction oversight panel to require sprinklers in new homes, calling it an unnecessary burden that will cost builders and buyers thousands of extra dollars. Full Story.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Council approves building code improving access for disabled
Standards affect rental buildings with more than 20 units
SIOUX FALLS, SD - New residential units will be required to be more accessible to disabled people, the Sioux Falls City Council decided Monday. The council approved the International Building Code with an amendment to require builders to have an accessible unit, called Type A units. The code affects full market rental buildings with more than 20 units. Full Story.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Corruption in Philippine construction industry linked to unsafe structures
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - After seeing the devastation brought by the quakes in Haiti and Chile, a noted Filipino architect warned that corruption in the Philippine construction industry have made many infrastructures in the country unable to withstand strong earthquakes. Full Story.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Strict Building Code May Explain Lower Chile Toll
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The recent earthquake in Chile was much stronger than the earthquake that shook Haiti last month, but far fewer people have died in Chile. One reason seems to be that Chile has strict building codes to deal with large quakes. Eduardo Kausel, a professor of engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers his insight. Full Story.
Monday, March 1, 2010
KB Home Northern California to Build All New Home Communities to GreenPoint Rated Standards
Commitment helps area homebuyers lower their utility costs and environmental impact
PLEASANTON, CA - KB Home, one of America’s premier homebuilders, today announced that all of its new home communities opening in Northern California in 2010 and beyond will be built to Build It Green’s GreenPoint Rated standards. KB Home currently has two GreenPoint Rated communities in the Bay Area, North Haven in San Jose and Cantara Place at Positano in Dublin, and expects to open more in the coming months. Full Story.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Pace of local homebuilding jumped in February
The pace of homebuilding jumped last month to its highest level in nearly two years, while foreclosure filings might be stabilizing, according to a pair of reports released Monday. Full Story.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Bright spot is big jump in construction permits
VALLEJO, CA - Solano County has seen an 1,100 percent increase in new home construction permits so far this year compared to 2009, a building industry organization reported Friday. Though new-home building in California generally rebounded in January compared to a year ago, Solano County's was far and away the biggest jump, according to the California Building Industry Association's latest report. Full Story.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
CU researcher: Chilean earthquake shows importance of building codeS
A University of Colorado seismologist says the much lower death toll from the powerful earthquake that shook Chile early Saturday morning demonstrates the ability of adequate building codes to save lives. The Chilean government put the death toll from the 8.8-magnitude earthquake at 214 on Saturday evening. While that number is expected to rise, it is not expected to come anywhere close to the estimated 230,000 who died from the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Haiti last month. Full Story.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Homebuilding remains sluggish
NEW HAVEN, CT - Housing permits continued to be issued at a slow pace in Connecticut last month, according to data released Thursday by the state Department of Economic and Community Development. Full Story.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Construction unemployment still on the rise
For construction worker Christopher Allaway, installing metal roofs while teetering on 4-inch-wide steel beams is an adrenaline rush. "That's when I know I'm alive," says Allaway, a 20-year industry veteran who often worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks before he was laid off in July. Full Story.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Redesigned SecuraSpan Horizontal Lifeline System Improves Jobsite Fall Protection
Capital Safety, home of the DBI-SALA and PROTECTA brands of fall protection equipment, recently announces the introduction of the new and improved SecuraSpan horizontal lifeline system, the industry's most widely known temporary horizontal lifeline for fall protection in the construction industry. Full Story.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
District details downtown quake threat
CHARLESTON, SC - District officials finally have the data to back up dramatic concerns about the seismic safety of six aging downtown campuses built before stringent building codes addressed an earthquake threat that has loomed over the region for more than a century. Full Story.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Local homebuilders confident in 2010
RALEIGH, NC — Sales of new homes dropped 11.2 percent in January, the U.S. Commerce Department reported Wednesday – the lowest level on records going back nearly a half century. Full Story.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Alternative energy legislation being discussed in North Royalton
NORTH ROYALTON, OH - A new building code chapter is being drafted that will regulate the construction of wind and solar energy systems. Members of the Building and Building Codes Committee will lead an in-depth discussion on the proposed legislation at its next meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 22. Full Story.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Building codes a hot issue on Knox County Board
Some members outspoken in their opposition
GALESBURG, IL — The issue of building codes for Knox County remains a contentious one. A third of the members of the Knox County Board voted Wednesday against putting the resolution on public display for 30 days prior to final approval. The vote was 9-5, with one member not present, to put the resolution on public display. The opposition was not shy in voicing its misgivings. Full Story.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Hycrete: Keeping The Water Out
Getting the construction industry to adopt a new product is tough. Hycrete is making headway.
When he travels, David Rosenberg likes to take along chunks of concrete and an eyedropper full of water. He demonstrates to anyone who's interested how water from the dropper seeps into one piece of concrete but rolls off the surface of the other. The difference, he says, is the product made by Hycrete, the Carlstadt, N.J. company he founded. Full Story.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Green building: Passive home design: Forget the furnace forever
SAN JOSE, CA - The Passive House is the future of homebuilding. It's not the same as the passive solar concept from the seventies, but it's not new. It's a design system that is just starting to come into its own. Imagine this: a house that is so well built that it doesn't need a heating system. Full Story.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Development charges a concern for developers
TORONTO, ON, CANADA - Rising costs due to development charges have become the top concern for Canadian homebuilders, according to an annual survey. Development charges on serviced lot prices remain a "critical problem" for a large proportion of homebuilders, but particularly in Ontario, the Canadian Home Builders' Association said in its survey released Tuesday. Full Story.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Stephens County commission passes building code changes
ANDERSON, SC - Stephens County Commissioners conducted a public hearing about as well as a second and final reading of the proposed changes Tuesday at a County Board of Commissioners meeting. Commissioners unanimously approved the changes. Stephens County Administrator John Rutan said the changes were proposed after a review of the ordinances by county government staff members. Full Story.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Homebuilders get gray forecast
Continuing economic ills in central Ohio
COLUMBUS, OH - Central Ohio homebuilders, coming off their worst year in more than three decades, were told yesterday to expect this year to be only slightly better. "We will see modest increases across the board," Columbus real-estate analyst Ken Danter told about 300 builders, lenders and officials gathered for an annual housing forecast. "Unfortunately, there are things impacting our market that we can't control." Full Story.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Does home building pay its way? Usually
Economist looks at benefits of new home construction
When he talks about the benefit to a community of new home construction, National Association of Home Builders Senior Economist Elliot Eisenberg is quick to point out that he is not preaching a build-it-and-they-will-come message. But he does emphasize that when new home construction occurs, that construction is not a burden to local governments but, in fact, pays for itself many times over in the form of new income and jobs for local residents and additional revenue for local governments. Full Story.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
2009 Home Building Permit Numbers Released
CENTRAL COAST, CA - The Home Builders Association has tracked building permits in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties for the last twenty years. Last year was the worst year for building in that time period. Full Story.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Canton council delays vote on building code changes
CANTON, OH — A vote on proposed changes to the city’s building code has been postponed for another week. An amendment was introduced Monday that would require mandatory interior inspections of rental properties every five years. That is the way it is done now by the building department. However, the original proposal would have eliminated the mandatory inspections, shifting to complaint-driven interior inspections on rentals along with a focus on significant exterior problems on owner-occupied homes. Full Story.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Remodeling the home building industry
GRAND JUNCTION, CO - Many people are staying put these days, not selling, buying or building a new home. As a result, the home construction business is suffering. But, some contractors are building new ways to pull through the economic slump. "People still want to live in a nice new house, but can't afford to go buy it right now," says Nathan Staton, owner of Quality Construction. Full Story.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Firm buys up discounted home lots
MIAMI TOWNSHIP, OH - Montgomery-based HPA Development Group has acquired the equivalent of 77 home building lots at The Reserves of Greycliff - a 106-lot neighborhood where homes begin around $209,000. Full Story.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Building Code Nets Praise
FORT SMITH, AR - Years of meetings dedicated to producing the city of Fort Smith’s Unified Development Ordinance may have had a greater positive effect than the product itself. Full Story.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Lexington Releases SIR Policy for the Construction Industry
Lexington Insurance Co., a Chartis company, introduces Lex FollowUP, a policy designed for the construction industry to assume the legacy financial risk associated with general liability self-insured retentions (SIR). Full Story.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Builders adjust as market slows
Optimism is what many of the San Angelo building contractors are banking on
SAN ANGELO, TX — A recovering economy will lay the foundation for a more prosperous year in 2010 for the San Angelo construction industry. A steady stream of big projects from the city, public schools and Angelo State University helped keep the industry moving in 2009, but the recession’s effect was still felt in the Concho Valley. Full Story.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Slow construction sector anxiously awaits flood work
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - After a painfully slow winter, the Corridor construction industry is banking on some serious flood reconstruction to prevent another lackluster year. Many builders are approaching the 2010 construction season with caution. Homebuilders can’t see the demand picture clearly, especially after federal homebuyer tax credits expire in April. Full Story.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
DREAM CITY: Bright economic future requires commitment
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Heard about the lousy economy? It’s been in all the papers. Colorado Springs-area employers shed about 10,000 jobs from their payrolls last year, while the pace of home building tumbled to its lowest level in nearly two decades, office building vacancies soared and city government sales tax collections sputtered. Full Story.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Home building is picking up in Chandler
CHANDLER, AZ - Desert Viking, the developer of a big townhome project in downtown Chandler, has resumed construction after receiving a $10.2 million loan from Wells Fargo. Work stopped last summer. Full Story.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Builders see promising signs as Home Expo opens
SPRINGFIELD, IL - Homebuilders, granite countertop experts and window companies were putting the final touches on their booths Thursday for the Springfield Area Home Builders 2010 Home Expo. Many, including Jon Reynolds, president of the Springfield Area Home Builders Association, were optimistic that 2010 will be the year that homebuilders see a rebound. Full Story.
Friday, February 19, 2010
San Francisco smooths path for electric car chargers in every new home
Charging infrastructure to be mandated in city building code
San Francisco is accelerating its drive to establish the city as America's electric car capital with the news that the city is to revise its building code to ensure all new homes and offices will be wired for electric car chargers. The change, which raises the prospect of charging points being installed at all new buildings, is the latest in a series of measures designed to bolster adoption of electric vehicles in the city. Full Story.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Recently Released White Paper Indicates Building Code Revisions Could Create Favorable Environment for PureSpectrum's Products Lines
Emphasis on Greater Energy Efficiency Through Dimming Could Increase Demand for Both Dimmable CFL and Linear Fluorescent Products
SAVANNAH, GA - As PureSpectrum (OTCBB: PSRU - News) continues work toward completion of its dimmable product lines in multiple lighting categories, a white paper published earlier this week indicates that building code revisions being implemented will specifically emphasize dimming as a preferred performance characteristic to achieve increased energy efficiency. Full Story.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Md. environmental buffer rules tightened
BALTIMORE, MD - The Maryland Critical Area Commission will shortly finalize new regulations to establish comprehensive procedures and standards for development inside the Critical Area Buffer. Full Story.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Hawaii new-home sales dropped 40% last year
Market less than half of what it was during peak in 2006
HONOLULU, HI - Homebuilders adjusting to Hawai'i's real estate market downturn reached a nadir last year, producing and selling the fewest new homes in at least 30 years, according to a new industry analysis. The pullback in Hawai'i home construction, in progress since 2007, put statewide sales of new homes at 2,050 last year — fewer than half the recent peak of 4,842 in 2006, according to a report from local housing market researcher Ricky Cassiday. Full Story.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Realtors to have more input on code revamp
SAN ANTONIO, TX - Alamo Heights officials are delaying implementing revamped building code revisions – an ordinance overhaul affecting commercial and residential construction – in an effort to gain more input from real estate brokers. At its Feb. 8 regular meeting, City Council agreed to postpone implementing a streamlined ordinance until next month. The delay partially was sparked by a request from commercial real estate broker George Geis, owner of several local commercial properties, who personally asked council for postponement. Full Story.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Economic data on industry output, home building boost hopes
WASHINGTON — Hopes that the U.S. economy can sustain its recovery drew support Wednesday from news that industrial output rose for a seventh straight month and home construction hit a six-month peak in January. Analysts cautioned, though, that the gains in both sectors could falter if consumer demand weakens. Full Story.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tucson-area home building off to a stronger start in 2010
TUCSON, AZ - Housing starts got off on a strong footing this year in Pima County, with nearly twice as many permits taken out this January compared to last. Full Story.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Trade group says stimulus saved jobs
Projects funded by the federal economic stimulus package are saving and creating more jobs than expected, according to a construction-industry trade group. The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) said Tuesday that $20.6 billion worth of stimulus highway projects launched in the past 12 months. Those projects have saved or created nearly 280,000 direct construction jobs. Full Story.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Industrial output, homebuilding rise
WASHINGTON - Hopes that the economy can sustain its recovery drew support Wednesday from news that industrial ouput rose for the seventh straight month and home construction hit a six-month peak in January. Analysts cautioned, though, that the gains in both sectors could falter if consumer demand weakens. Full Story.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Housing construction up 2.8 percent in January
WASHINGTON — Housing construction posted a better-than-expected increase in January which pushed activity to the highest level in six months. The solid gain raised hopes that the construction industry is beginning to mount a sustained rebound from its worst slump in decades. The Commerce Department said today that construction of new homes and apartments rose 2.8 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 591,000 units. That was better than the 580,000 annual pace that economists were forecasting. Full Story.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
State sees rise in new builds, but figures still down
New home construction in Lansing area stable
LANSING, MI - Michigan homebuilders could find themselves busier this year as new home construction picks up. But the expected pickup would amount to only a fraction of the homes built just a few years ago, reflecting a market that appears to have bottomed out. And activity in the Lansing area, while relatively stable, is also at a lower level. Full Story.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Metro Indianapolis building permits rebound from January 2009 low
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Homebuilders, expecting more buyers this spring, filed more than twice as many construction permits in January as they did a year ago. In the nine-county metro area, permits for new homes jumped to 290 last month from 131 in January 2009, according to the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis. Full Story.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Builders see rising demand in housing industry
Expert: They’re hopeful ‘housing recovery is finally beginning to take root’
MIAMI - The National Association of Home Builders said Tuesday its housing market index rose two points in February, a sign that low interest rates and federal tax credits are boosting demand for new homes. The builders group said the index reached 17 in February, after falling for two consecutive months. Full Story.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
U.S. Homebuilder Confidence Rises More Than Forecast
Confidence among U.S. homebuilders rose in February to a three-month high, a sign that the housing market is stabilizing amid government support. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo index of builder confidence increased to 17, higher than anticipated, from 15 the prior month, the Washington-based group said today. Readings below 50 mean most respondents view conditions as poor. Full Story.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Damage Caused by Natural Disasters
The NY Times points to unenforced building codes and low quality cement as leading causes of the damage caused by the Haitian earthquake. The 2nd point is interesting. Cement is costly in Haiti. To economize on it, construction waters this stuff down. Full Story.
Monday, February 15, 2010
New-home trends
Here are some of the results of Better Homes and Gardens’ Next Home Survey, and some of the trends that may influence new-home building and home-improvement projects in 2010: Full Story.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Preparing for life with the electric car
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — If electric cars have any future in the United States, this may be the city where they arrive first. The San Francisco building code will soon be revised to require that new structures be wired for car chargers. Across the street from City Hall, some drivers are already plugging converted hybrids into a row of charging stations. Full Story.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Architects say Haiti disaster shows need for building code
THE Haitian disaster has put the region in an earthquake awareness mode, and has also renewed interest in a national building code for Jamaica, according to President of the Jamaican Institute of Architects Christopher Whyms-Stone. Whyms-Stone told JIS News that while the Institute mourned the tremendous loss of life and destruction of property in Haiti caused by the earthquake, it also welcomed the renewed focus on the issue of proper building codes in Jamaica. Full Story.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Production, Home Starts Probably Climbed: U.S. Economy Preview
The manufacturing rebound probably accelerated in January and homebuilding bounced back, adding to evidence the U.S. expansion began the new year without missing a beat, economists said before report this week. Full Story.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Leaky Hurricane-Proof Walls Prompt Suit
ORLANDO, FL - Local homeowners have filed a class action lawsuit against one of America's largest homebuilders over leaking, cracked walls. The reinforced, 6-inch walls were touted by Mercedes Homes as being able to stand up to hurricane-force winds and flying debris, but homeowner Bobby Freeman said his home can't even withstand a garden hose. Full Story.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
New RI program trains builders for green industry
PROVIDENCE, RI - Builders in Rhode Island's recession-battered construction industry are being retrained for jobs in renewable energy with funding from the federal stimulus program. Political leaders from across the state will celebrate Monday a new training effort by Building Futures, which offers new career skills to construction workers. Full Story.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Alaska construction spending expected to keep dropping
STATE PREDICTION: Railroad projects among the worst hit.
ANCHORAGE, AK - Alaska's key construction industry is expecting less spending again this year, continuing a gradual decline that began before the national recession started. Despite the predicted 3 percent decline in spending this year, the total value of construction activity is likely to total about $7 billion in roads, hospitals, schools, houses and other projects, according to a recent report from researchers at the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Full Story.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Home building will lift state's economy somewhat, study says
SACRAMENTO, CA - Home building in California will generate considerably more economic activity this year than last, but it will remain a much smaller sector than it was during the boom times, according to a study released Thursday. The study by the Center for Strategic Economic Research, a Sacramento think tank, says new-home construction and related activities will add $20.38 billion to the California economy this year. Full Story.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Carbondale wonders, how long is too long for development rights?
Vesting period an issue with various projects
CARBONDALE, CO - Though Carbondale has been reviewing an unusual number of large development proposals — especially given the economic recession's crippling effect on construction in the valley — whether ground will be broken anytime soon on any of them is a big question mark. For that reason, proponents of the various projects have all requested a longer period for the vested development rights to remain in effect than is normally allowed. Full Story.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Building Envelope Science Institute Initiates Patent Process on Remediation of Buildings with Defective Drywall
SOUTH FLORIDA - The Institute developed what is being referred to as the “BESI System” which provides a cost effective method that helps homeowners, insurance companies, investors, financial institutes, and builders recover from the stigma of having defective or corrosive drywall. Full Story.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Big Isle's building code going green
HILO, HI - A new "green" building code that takes effect this spring could cost a bit more green as well. The code, adapted from the International Energy Conservation Code, sets standards for new construction as well as renovations. It's the first time Hawaii County has amended its building code in 20 years. Starting May 11, insulation will be required in all new houses and multifamily structures, even if they don't have cooling or heating systems. Full Story.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Construction Industry’s Sixth Annual Statewide Safety Expo to be Held in Sacramento March 30 – April 1
SACRAMENTO, CA - The 2010 Safety Expo, an annual conference dedicated to bringing California’s construction industry the latest education and training on safety and construction management, will be held Mar. 30 – Apr. 1 at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento. Presented by the Construction Industry Education Foundation (CIEF) in partnership with the Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange, the event will feature more than 140 sessions and is open to all in the construction industry profession. Full Story.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Mayor McKenzie warns developers
KINGSTON, JAMAICA - Mayor Desmond McKenzie has issued a warning to developers that the integrity of the council of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) would not be compromised by approving buildings that were not in compliance with the building codes. Full Story.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Schumacher Homes Announces its New Custom Home Building Blog
Canton, OH - Schumacher Homes, America's #1 on your lot custom home builder, announces the launch of its new home building blog. The new blog is an extension of Schumacher Homes' commitment to highly personalized customer service and an invitation to consumers to ask questions and learn more about building a new custom home with Schumacher Homes. Full Story.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Legislators OK drug testing for state contractors
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Employees of companies awarded state construction contracts would be subject to random drug and alcohol testing under a bill passed by the Utah Legislature Thursday. Full Story.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Dual Building Codes Create Headache for Developers
KNOXVILLE, TN - In a persistently anemic economy, some developers say city government is making the already cumbersome process of downtown development even harder. “It’s so difficult that, even though I love to revitalize and build new things, I don’t know if I have the stomach to go through another ordeal with the building department,” says Leigh Burch, who developed the Sterchi Lofts, among others. He recently completed the Commerce Building, and says that project was “not twice as difficult. It was three or four times more difficult to build than the Lerner Building was, say, five years ago.” Full Story.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Stephens County building code changes proposed
STEPHENS COUNTY, GA — Stephens County officials are working toward updating the county building codes. County commissioners had a first reading Tuesday of proposed building codes changes presented by Larry Krul, the county building inspector. Krul said most of the suggested changes are minor. Full Story.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Architectural firm finds niche by helping others with new computer modeling
MADISON, WI - A Milwaukee company with a Madison office has formed a consulting division aimed at helping other companies in the design and construction industry capitalize on architecture's latest interactive trend. Full Story.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Sprinklers won't be required
SHELBYVILLE, TN - Bedford County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday night approved placing the rural portion of the county under the 2009 International Building Code and the 2009 Residential Code, but exempted the county from the portion of the code which requires fire protection sprinklers in new one-family and two-family dwellings. Full Story.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Ketchum eyes greener building codes
City considers following in Hailey's and county’s footsteps pursuing energy efficiency
KETCHUM, ID - Ketchum took the first step Monday in establishing a "green building code," but has a long road ahead before any changes might be made. The city's Planning and Zoning Commission is just hearing from Hailey and Blaine County, both of which have had committees working for about a year to investigate the kind of enforcement that can be done in requiring buildings to be more efficient, and what system would work best. Full Story.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Really? Beleagured builders showing signs of life
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Aside from banks, no industry was humbled by the recession as much as homebuilders. Now, a number are reporting their first profits in years. Full Story.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
EDC unveils plan for green R.I. economy
WARWICK, RI – A state working group is calling for pumping millions into developing a green economy, imposing stricter building codes for energy efficiency, aiming to make Quonset a hub for the wind farm industry and developing a center for excellence in green manufacturing. Full Story.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Proposed building codes creating controversy
LOGAN, IA – The public hearing on the table at the Board of Supervisors meeting Feb. 4, had the traffic backed up to get into the courthouse and the supervisors’ office packed like sardines and overflowing into the hallway. The issue – the creation of building and safety maintenance codes for Harrison County – drew more than 71 people to the meeting. Full Story.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Harker Heights council to discuss building codes tonight
HARKER HEIGHTS, TX – The City Council today will consider authorizing the city to use the 2009 international building codes. The council has discussed the building codes a number of times, but the codes were not adopted during a previous meeting because of a dispute over the cost of inspections of irrigation systems' backflow prevention devices. Full Story.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Economist: Housing regs up home prices in resort areas
FRISCO, CO — Mountain municipalities trying to tackle affordable housing may want to look in the mirror for solutions. Elliot Eisenberg, an economist with the National Association of Homebuilders in Washington, D.C., said the myriad regulations and codes layered on over the years are a significant reason why homes in resort areas are so expensive. While market pressure from outside money certainly has its impact, Eisenberg said towns like Breckenridge, Frisco, Aspen and Vail that use subsidies to create affordable housing for local workers help create the affordability problem with rules that help drive costs up. Full Story.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Bhutan pushes for eco-literacy in schools
BHUTAN - Bhutan is formulating policies for the construction industry to employ green technology and practices, said Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley, while speaking to world leaders and other members at the Delhi sustainable development summit in India over the weekend. Lyonchhoen, in his keynote address, also informed participants that a process is underway to augment Bhutanese school curricula promoting eco-literacy among students within zero-waste and green schools. Full Story.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Study shows home building generates net income for state, local governments
MADISON, WI - A new study by the National Association of Home Builders says the home building industry in Wisconsin more than pays for itself, providing new income and jobs for state residents along with added revenue for state and local governments. Full Story.
Monday, February 8, 2010
£60 million for new Cornish eco-towns
CORNWALL, UK - Housing Minister John Healey has today backed the country’s biggest ever green home building programme, with four areas, including St Austell, sharing £60m cash to build over 600 new homes to the toughest ever environmental standards. Full Story.
Monday, February 8, 2010
City Council to revisit limiting sizes of new homes
FREDRICKSBURG, VA - How big can a new house be before it's too big for the neighborhood, and who should be the arbiter of that kind of decision? Those questions were hot topics for Fredericksburg's City Council three years ago, when a lot more home-building was going on. Full Story.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sluggish home-building comeback through 2010, economist says
RICHMOND, VA - The housing market is starting to recover, but it won't feel that much better until next year, a speaker at an annual forecast meeting of the Home Building Association of Richmond said. "Residential housing is looking better, but don't expect a repeat of 2005 any time soon," said Christine Chmura, president and senior economist of Chmura Economics & Analytics in Richmond, referring to a year when the industry was booming. Full Story.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Haiti plans stricter building codes, says there's no need to move capital
PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI — Haitian officials said Friday the government will develop and apply a tougher building code for the reconstruction of the devastated country. But despite calls from U.S. and other geologists to move major government buildings outside the quake-prone capital, they seemed to shrug off suggestions to move the capital. The government also is advising residents to stay away from damaged buildings until teams can review their structural soundness and develop a new code. Full Story.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Great Recession: Will Construction Workers Survive?
The middle and working-classes have been hammered by the Great Recession and no industry has taken it more on the chin than construction. Nationally, unemployment fell to 9.7% in January, but in construction it jumped to 24.7% from 18.7% in October. In many regions, union officials report 30% of their members are unemployed or "riding the bench." "In the previous 14 years, I had not been out of work for more than one week," says Pat O'Connor, 57, a Connecticut carpenter. With no work since July, O'Connor says, "It is a bad dream turning into a nightmare. Is construction dead? It's just horrible right now. No one expected this. It's a depression." Full Story.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Building code overhaul may blunt fire menace
Payson lags behind in wildfire protection, but $300,000 federal grant and code changes may avert ‘disaster’
PAYSON, AZ - A $300,000 federal grant and an overhaul of the building codes may soon help ease the dire threat of Payson’s greatest potential disaster — a wildfire sweeping in out of a thickset, fire-prone forest. “In terms of a disaster risk, it’s the No. 1 thing the town faces,” said Payson Fire Chief Marti deMasi. Full Story.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Rebuilding Haiti Will Take More Than Just Money
Habitat for Humanity official: Helping Haiti will require overcoming a government in shambles, rampant poverty and the absence of building codes.
The displacement of an estimated one million Haitians, by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that decimated their country on Jan. 12, will require a monumental rebuilding effort that, so far, is neither completely organized nor neatly funded. The effort to get Haitian citizens into transitional shelters quickly is made urgent by Haiti’s impending rainy and hurricane seasons. But in a country that has neither building codes nor, for that matter, zoning enforcement; and where basic necessities such as food, electricity and water remain scarce, the reconstruction of Haiti’s now-flattened capital Port-Au-Prince is anything but a certainty. Full Story.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Joblessness in Construction Industry Spikes to Nearly 25%
WASHINGTON, DC - Today’s U.S. Labor Department unemployment report showed a decline in national unemployment but workers in the construction industry saw another month of devastating job loss. While jobless in some sectors eased, resulting in an overall loss of about 20,000 jobs, construction unemployment spiked to 24.7 percent as another 75,000 construction jobs were lost. Nearly 2.1 million construction jobs have been lost since the recession began. Full Story.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Don’t skimp on kitchens, builder says
RICHMOND, VA - Don't skimp on the kitchens. "Kitchens still have to be wonderful," said Lloyd Poe, one of two speakers at the annual forecast seminar by the Home Building Association of Richmond. Poe is owner of LifeStyle Builders & Developers Inc. in Midlothian. Granite countertops are standard features, not just for high-end homes, he said. Full Story.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Will Baby Boomers Lead Housing Industry Toward Recovery?
Baby boomer buyers fueled a big run-up in U.S. home construction and sales in the 1970s and 1980s. Now beleaguered homebuilders say they’re hoping aging boomers, who are just entering retirement age, will once again give them robust housing sales. “We believe this segment of the market is going to lead the housing industry toward recovery as the market turns around,” said Sharon Dworkin Bell, a senior staff vice president of the National Association of Home Builders. Full Story.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Foreclosures hampering green homes
Contractors realize extra features not adding to appraised values
LAS VEGAS, NV - Foreclosures that are depressing home values could temporarily slow the incorporation of green features into homes, a consultant to the homebuilding industry said. That was one of the issues that emerged at the 2010 International Builders Show in Las Vegas in January when manufacturers were touting the latest in energy efficiency for appliances, window insulation and water conservation measures. Full Story.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Glimmer of good news for local home builders
RICHMOND, VA - If Richmond area home builders and developers were looking for a glimmer of good news about their industry, they found it at forecast meeting this morning sponsored by the Home Building Association of Richmond. Full Story.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
While '09 is over, state's housing recovery will lag, economist says
DETROIT, MI - The best news a national home-building economist could deliver Wednesday to a group of local builders was: 2009 is history. "It's over -- 2009 was the worst year the U.S. housing market has seen since a World War," said David Crowe, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders. Full Story.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Household Water Wells Come Under Scrutiny in Montana
BILLINGS, MT – Montana officials have agreed to hold hearings on the potential repeal of a state rule that has allowed tens of thousands of homes to be built in rural subdivisions without water permits. A dispute over that rule is pitting ranchers worried that water supplies are drying out against homebuilders who say tightening the spigot will undermine the state's building industry. Full Story.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Recovering Haiti needs a building code that works, UW professor says
WATERLOO, ONTARIO, CANADA - After medical help, food aid and clean water, the next most important thing Haitians could use right now just might be a building code that works. Without one, says Sriram Narasimhan, a professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Waterloo, the impoverished nation is doomed to rebuild the same dangerous kind of dwellings that led to so many deaths in last month’s earthquake. Full Story.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Perdue calls for new building codes, reservoirs
ATLANTA, GA — Gov. Sonny Perdue said Wednesday that the state should require low-flow fixtures and other water-saving measures in all new buildings starting in 2012. The governor also said he’ll call for new standards for industrial cooling towers and for individual water meters for all units at new apartment complexes. Full Story.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Delaware Homebuilder, Schell Brothers, Wins Unprecedented Seven National Awards
REHOBOTH BEACH, DE - The National Association of Homebuilders recently held its prestigious annual event in Las Vegas, titled "A Night of Recognition". The exclusive affair honored the best of the best homebuilders across the country and, as usual, some of the smartest design and marketing minds were in attendance, hailing from places like New York and California. These heavy hitters from the marketing and architectural industries were there representing the big boys in homebuilding for whom they had created house plans, marketing, and more. Full Story.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Alberta to update building code to make new homes energy efficient
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA — The Consumers Council of Canada says Alberta is looking at changing its building code to require that new homes be made more energy efficient. Full Story.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Time to Improvise
Remodeling the answer for struggling builders
MEMPHIS, TN - The past couple of years have been brutal for homebuilders as demand for new houses plummeted and companies did what they could to cope. 2009 was especially bad for Shelby County builders, who filed just 529 new home permits all year, a 43.7 percent decline from 940 permits in 2008 and a staggering 80 percent decline from 2,643 permits in 2007, according to the latest data from real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com. Full Story.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Boulder County considers tweaking green-building codes
BOULER, CO - Revisions that would make Boulder County's green-building code far more flexible will be recommended to county commissioners after gaining the unanimous approval of an advisory board on Monday. The three elected commissioners will decide whether to adopt the revisions to the county's BuildSmart program, which went into effect in April 2008, at a meeting tentatively scheduled for March 2. Full Story.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Green gurus give NYC building-code proposals
NEW YORK, NY - New rules for insulating all-glass high rises and getting stores to shut off their lights after hours were among 111 proposals unveiled Monday by a panel of environmental experts charged with devising a blueprint to green the city's building stock. The recommendations of the NYC Green Codes Task Force affect the city's building codes as well as rules impacting zoning, health, consumer affairs, and environmental protection. Full Story.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Pace of homebuilding increases in January
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The pace of homebuilding for 2010 got off to a solid start last month in the Pikes Peak region. Single-family homebuilding permits totaled 95 in January in Colorado Springs and El Paso County, a 43.9 percent gain from the 66 permits issued in the same month in 2009, according to a report released Monday by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. Full Story.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Los Angeles might require rainwater capture
LOS ANGELES, CA - A proposed law would require new homes, larger developments and some redevelopments in Los Angeles to capture and reuse runoff generated in rainstorms. The ordinance approved in January by the Department of Public Works would require such projects to capture, reuse or infiltrate 100% of runoff generated in a 3/4 -inch rainstorm or to pay a storm water pollution mitigation fee that would help fund off-site, low-impact public developments. Full Story.
Monday, February 1, 2010
CityBuild Abu Dhabi from April 18-21
ABU DHABI - A new premier international trade show for the building and construction industry is being launched in Abu Dhabi as the United Arab Emirates’ capital continues to forge ahead with major long-term initiatives. CityBuild Abu Dhabi will take place from 18-21 April 2010 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre bringing together industry suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, architects, engineers, importers and procurement decision makers. Full Story.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Construction spending drops sharply in December
WASHINGTON — Construction spending dropped sharply in December to its lowest level in more than six years as new home building fell by the steepest amount in seven months, evidence that housing remains a weak spot in the U.S. economy. The Commerce Department said Monday that spending on new homes, office buildings and highways fell by 1.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $902.5 billion, the lowest since August 2003. Full Story.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
A look at the city's million dollar homes
SIOUX FALLS, SD - Filled with unique details and special touches that give it an old-world, Mediterranean feel, Cosette and Dion Pease's home is stunning. From the custom 22-foot ceiling in the main floor great room to the chiseled-edge travertine tiles throughout the lower level, every inch of the home was carefully planned and designed by the Peases themselves, Sioux Falls homebuilders. Full Story.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Structural change: Builders respond to a shifting market with innovative products
LAS VEGAS, NV — Innovation in homebuilding hasn’t stopped just because the bad economy has pounded the construction industry. That was evident at the annual International Builders Show this month, as industry suppliers displayed an array of new products and technologies to an audience of more than 55,000 building-industry professionals. Full Story.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Galveston buyout homes might be moved
GALVESTON, TX — At least one of the contractors hired to demolish upscale West End beach houses the city acquired through a federal buyout program said he intends to move the houses off the island and sell them. Lamson Nguyen, who owns Lamson Construction, bid $1, or 33 cents each, to demolish three houses in Sands of Kahala Beach the city expects to buy out once the homeowners association releases the properties. Full Story.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Builders meet demand for lower-priced homes
2009 raw numbers show construction was down, but picture is incomplete
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The 2009 numbers for homebuilding here didn’t lie, but they fudged a bit. The fact is builders in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Midwest City, Moore and Norman started 3,380 new houses last year, down 11.4 percent from 2008. Full Story.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
2010 International Builders Show: At home in the future
In ways large and small, the 2010 International Builders Show held last week in Las Vegas reflected the still-troubled home-building industry. One entire exhibition hall was vacant, most exhibitors rented smaller spaces than usual, and the dancing models in the upscale showers -- standard fare for years in the high-end plumbing-fixture booths -- were notably absent. Full Story.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Homebuilders hope boomers beat path to their door again
DALLAS, TX - Baby boomer buyers fueled a big run-up in U.S. home construction and sales in the 1970s and 1980s. Now beleaguered homebuilders say they're hoping aging boomers, who are just entering retirement age, will once again give them robust housing sales. Full Story.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Acton green building code meeting nears
ACTON, MA — Many Acton residents agree that being green is a top priority. With a special advisory board, an active citizen group and town leaders who continually push for energy-efficient initiatives, Acton has many reasons to call itself a “green community.” If residents vote to take a few more steps, Acton could be the first town in the state to make that description official. The Green Advisory Board will host a public forum Monday, Feb. 1, to give a presentation on one major move: Adopting the “stretch code,” a list of green regulations on new building construction and renovations. Full Story.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Just redo it: An expert tells you how to build on trends in your kitchen and bath
Kitchen and bathrooms are the most important rooms in the house when it comes to remodeling, selling and buying. Interest in them is so rabid that they command their own trade shows and gobble up a huge portion of HGTV’s and DIY’s online Web sites. According to the Association of National Homebuilders, improvements in these extensively plumbed rooms also carry one of the largest rates of return when houses are sold; 78 percent of the remodeling costs are usually refunded, so builders, potential buyers and soon-to-be-sellers carefully watch the trends in kitchen and bath design. Full Story.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Businesses expect increased home-improvement enthusiasm
PITTSBURGH, PA - Even though the past year was brutal for homebuilders and remodelers alike, everyone hopes things will look up this year. Local merchants hope to get a boost by showing what they have to offer at this year's Pittsburgh Indoor-Outdoor Home Show at the new Monroeville Convention Center, located in the former Wickes Building on Mall Boulevard. Full Story.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Affordable housing demand grows in Hesperia
Fifty-eight new units already filled at San Remo Apartments
HESPERIA, CA - Hesperia’s affordable housing units just grew by 58, but the demand continues to outpace multi-family construction geared for low-income families. “They’re already sold out,” Hesperia Mayor Thurston “Smitty” Smith said about the recently completed second phase at San Remo Apartments. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Are there New Home Deals in Southern California?
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - We all see the media reports, nearly everyday, regarding the state of the home building industry and real estate in general. There are more signs and reports that pricing has stabilized or even reached bottom in some submarkets. However, these are still very cautious times. The new home inventory is certainly down and within reason. The Southern California new home market is no different. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Construction panel supports rail
Task force says project will contribute most to economy by creating jobs
HONOLULU, HI - Going forward with Honolulu's much-discussed Rail Transit Project tops the list of recommendations by a task force set up to look at ways to boost Hawai'i's ailing construction industry. Other initiatives recommended by the panel include developing more affordable housing projects, creating tax incentives to spur construction and easing government regulations faced by contractors. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Adapting to the environment
Green jobs program brings a fresh angle to construction industry
BEND, OR - The inch-thick sheets of Styrofoam were all that passed for floor insulation at a northeast Bend house. “This is the first I’ve seen Styrofoam,” said Dave Bowman, looking at a pile of the broken up material. But at least someone had made an attempt to insulate the place when it was built several decades ago — even if it was ineffective, he said. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Engineer: Construction methods at heart of Haiti quake tragedy
OAKLAND, CA - Haiti's construction industry is to blame for hundreds of thousands of deaths in a tragedy that will repeat itself unless there are changes to building practices there, a Berkeley engineer said Tuesday. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
When will construction rebound? Local companies weigh in
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Nearly nine in 10 contractors say there will be no recovery in the construction industry this year, according to a national construction hiring and business outlook forecast issued by the Associated General Contractors of America. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Homeowners fighting for right to sue
Lawmakers could ban "arbitration only" clauses
SAN ANTONIO, TX - Recent landslides in a neighborhood in San Antonio is spurring some homeowners to fight for more rights in Texas. Homeowners of Texas, Inc. said the Texas Legislature needs to pass a law that bans homebuilders from putting "compulsory arbitration" clauses in contracts. "If [homeowners] have housing defects and they cannot be resolved and the builder won't fix them, they can't take them to court," said Tom Archer, the president of Homeowners of Texas. "They have to go to arbitration. That is a private justice system." Full Story.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Analysts expect permits to rise
PHOENIX, AZ - Metropolitan Phoenix's home-building market can only improve after last year's dismal results. The Phoenix Housing Market Letter reports that 8,027 permits for single-family homes were issued in the region during 2009, the lowest level in at least 20 years. In 1990, during the middle of the last real-estate-led recession, 10,619 permits for new homes were issued in the area. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Study measures impact of local homebuilding
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Economist Elliott Eisenberg made the case Tuesday for the impact that home construction has in the Tallahassee area, fortifying his case with statistics based on 2009 building activity locally. "There's a nagging debate about housing. We'd like to see a new company come here, and there's an economic development corporation that takes pride in bringing new business here," he told a luncheon audience of the Tallahassee Builders Association at the Ramada Conference Center. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Pa. Debate Over In Home Sprinklers Heats Up
WRIGHTSTOWN, PA - The debate over requiring home sprinklers for newly constructed homes is heating up. The Pennsylvania Builders' Association is suing to prevent enactment of certain new building codes, mandating sprinklers, claiming they could add thousands to the cost of new homes. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Cemex Jumps the Most in Six Weeks on Home Price Gains (Update1)
Cemex SAB, the largest cement maker in North America, rose the most since November as U.S. home prices increased more than forecast, signaling the country’s housing and construction industry may be stabilizing. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Maryland construction firms face gloomy 2010 forecast
Industry accounts for 7% of state's employment
Maryland's construction industry is one of the hardest hit in the nation, and the picture nationally is not likely to get much better, according to a forecast released last week. The Associated General Contractors of America released its construction employment forecast for 2010, predicting privately funded construction would continue to decline. Although the organization released some state-by-state data, Maryland was not singled out. Full Story.
Monday, January 25, 2010
New Habitat houses to have sprinklers
It's a year earlier than required, but the city fire chief says the equipment saves lives.
YORK, PA - A building code change that requires new homes to have sprinklers inside doesn't kick in until 2011. But York Habitat for Humanity will install them in homes to be built this year on East Poplar Street, at the site of four homes damaged by fire last year. Sprinklers will also go in homes in a Habitat project on West Princess Street, said Rosie Boileau, executive director of York Habitat. Full Story.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Construction industry recovery remains slow
Building trades anxiously await start of major construction projects
Economic indicators tell us the worst recession since the Great Depression is over. But for Northwest Indiana's construction trade, the light at the end of the tunnel is a barely visible pinpoint. Full Story.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Landslide threatens 80 San Antonio homes
SAN ANTONIO, TX - San Antonio Fire Department officials continued Monday to keep residents out of about 80 homes in a Northwest Side neighborhood, where engineers working for homebuilders shored up a steep hill that partially collapsed, threatening homes above and below the growing gap. Full Story.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
System lets builders, Realtors access projects, clients remotely
Sitting on a beach in St. Bart's on his honeymoon, Columbia home builder Brantley Jones flipped on his laptop and checked in on a construction site in Newberry. He chatted with his project manager, who was wearing a helmet cam, and helped his crew through a crucial stage of adding a second floor to a single-story home. Full Story.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Sprinklers: Worth the expense?
SHELBYVILLE, TN - Shelbyville has adopted the 2009 International Building Codes, but specifically exempted itself from the section of that code which would require fire protection sprinkler systems on new one-family and two-family homes. Full Story.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Local homebuilders waiting out recession
MEMPHIS, TN - Last year was a slow one for home construction in the suburbs, and the same was true in Memphis, as homebuilders waited for the last of the building boom inventory to be absorbed. "Builders don't have any reason to want to build a house right now. I don't," said Don Caylor, vice president of Summerset Homes Inc., which didn't build any in 2009. Full Story.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Energy efficiency for homes dominates booths, seminars at builders' convention
Building executive calls Las Vegas 'a good foam market'
It's an overused term yet to be fully embraced by the average consumer, but "green building" dominated the 2010 International Builders Show in Las Vegas, from seminars to the 1,100 exhibitors of home-building products, materials and construction techniques. Green building can be interpreted in a number of ways, but is generally viewed as construction practice that saves energy and natural resources. It could be a simple as installing fluorescent lights or as complicated as a solar-generated energy system. Full Story.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Edmond couple turn to UBuildIt to create house
EDMOND, OK — Rick and Sharron Wolf, with no experience in construction, with busy lives, have built two homes for themselves. They worked with UBuildIt, the nationally franchised network that allows individuals to act as their own contractors on home building and remodeling projects. Full Story.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Governor Proclaims January Kansas Radon Action Month
Topeka, Manhattan, and Lawrence building codes require new homes to be built using radon-resistant techniques. Some cities in Kansas are considering changing their building codes to require them, too.
TOPEKA, KS - Governor Mark Parkinson and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) are urging Kansans to protect their families by testing their homes for an odorless, invisible gas. Parkinson signed a proclamation today proclaiming January as Kansas Radon Action Month. The Governor encouraged testing of homes, schools and work sites for radon to minimize long-term health risks. Full Story.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Charity plans one-room homes in Haiti
CHICAGO, IL - Home-building charity Habitat for Humanity hopes to erect thousands of expandable one-room houses to shelter Haitians left homeless by a devastating earthquake, the group's chief executive said on Thursday. "We need direction to make sure we build the homes where the infrastructure is going to be," said Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan Reckford in a telephone interview. Full Story.
Friday, January 22, 2010
New Mexico Gains Green Building Manufacturer
SANTA FE, NM - A company that manufacturers sustainable building products for the construction industry is moving to the Gallup area, which state officials claimed as proof they're making good on their word to bring more jobs to New Mexico's rural areas. Full Story.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Waynesboro repealing use of BOCA codes
WAYNESBORO, PA — The Waynesboro Borough Council wants to pull the plug on certain electrical building codes, despite opposition from the building inspector and some firefighters. The council is in the process of repealing its use of BOCA (Building Officials and Code Administrators) codes. If the codes are repealed, the borough would continue to operate under the UCC (Uniform Construction Code). Full Story.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Association update: In construction, trying times might still be looming
Thomas Paine once wrote, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Amen to that! The economy, both at the national level and in Minnesota, continues to drag. The national recession has sent the construction industry into a severe downtown. Both construction companies and workers have been hit hard. From June 2008 to June 2009, Minnesota lost 18,000 commercial and residential construction jobs, 16.2 percent of the employment in that sector, according to AGC reports. Areas like Duluth lost 31 percent of their construction employment. The Twin Cities metro area has experienced a similar loss of jobs and job opportunities. These numbers have not improved in the past six months. Full Story.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Home building fell 4% in Dec.; permits rising
Negatives include bad weather, as well as rise in FHA's fees, standards to back mortgages
WASHINGTON - The housing market remains a significant risk to the economy, data released Wednesday showed, as bad weather across much of the country hammered the construction industry. Along with icy storms, the real estate recovery is facing man-made head winds. The government said Wednesday that buyers will face higher fees and tougher standards for home loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, a popular source of loans for first-time buyers. Full Story.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Homebuilders Sticking With Less-Is-More Approach
Think of it as the shrinking American dream. What's out: Outdoor kitchens and fireplaces, two-story foyers and deluxe bathroom features like multiple showerheads in the master bathroom. What's in: Smaller homes with lots of natural light, storage and energy efficiency features that save money — and don't cost too much. Full Story.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Lean Lending Could Trim Homebuilding's Forecast Surge In '10
The sound of homebuilders' hammers will rise again in 2010 after relative quiet last year. Economists and building associations agree on that. But they vary on just how much housing starts can ramp up amid high unemployment, low home prices and the dearth of construction financing available to homebuilders. Full Story.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Homebuilders' New Sugar Daddy: Private Equity
Opportunistic investors are backing strapped builders—and risky as it is, the strategy may pay off
Their love affair with traditional lenders is on the rocks, so some residential real estate developers have found a new partner: private equity. More than 20 firms are looking to team up with homebuilders to go bargain shopping for distressed properties. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Construction Weighs On Homebuilders
The Commerce Department said the rate of new home construction unexpectedly fell 4%, but applications are up.
Homebuilders were in the red on Wednesday after the Commerce Department reported an unexpected dip in the construction of new homes last month. Construction of new homes and apartments fell 4% in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 557,000, from an upwardly revised 580,000 in November, lower than the 580,000 forecast by economists. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue Honored With Eight More Prestigous Awards at 'The Nationals' by NAHB
High-Rise Condo Tower Continues to Earn Regional and National Awards for Development Excellence
SEATTLE, WA - Executives at OPUS NWR Development, LLC today announced that The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has recognized Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue with eight awards including a silver finalist for "Project of the Year" for 2010 – one the most prestigious honors in the national homebuilding industry. The NAHB held "The Nationals" awards ceremony on January 19, 2010 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Hundreds of industry representatives and guests attended the black-tie gala, which kicks-off the annual International Builder's Show. Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue was selected by a panel of judges during a three-day evaluation of more than 700 individual award entries. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Homebuilding: How your town compares
Building in the south metro is showing few signs of a bounceback, although some are doing better than others.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL, MN - Homebuilding remains in a deep slump across most of the southern suburbs, but it may have bottomed out in one or two places. A Star Tribune analysis of building permit data south of the river finds: Full Story.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Homebuilding forecast: Modest growth in 2010
LAS VEGAS, NV - The fragile housing recovery should gather momentum this year as the economy strengthens, but high unemployment at least through 2011 will make for a slow turnaround, housing experts said Tuesday. The panel of economists at the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas agreed broadly on the outlook for the housing market and economy. Both, they said, had turned a corner, but there are slim prospects for a swift rebound. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Rise in permits could herald building ramp-up
But hurdles such as rising foreclosures could suppress housing recovery
WASHINGTON - Applications for future construction projects unexpectedly climbed last month, foreshadowing what could be a better spring for home building after a rough winter, government data showed on Wednesday. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Optimism interrupted
Any good news for home builders comes with big asterisks
LAS VEGAS, NV - Home builders, mired in their deepest slump since the Great Depression, are likely to see a rebound in sales in 2010 as stabilizing home prices and record-high affordability conditions draw buyers into the market, the chief economist of the National Association of Home Builders said here this week. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Residential sprinklers may not be required
SHELBYVILLE, TN - Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee placed a proposal that the county adopt the 2009 International Building Code but exempt itself from residential sprinkler systems on the full commission's February agenda, but did not add its own recommendation. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Homebuilder confidence drops unexpectedly
WASHINGTON, DC — Confidence among U.S. homebuilders unexpectedly dropped in January to the lowest level since June, a sign the housing recovery may stall in coming months. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo index of builder confidence decreased to 15 from 16 the prior month, the Washington-based group said Tuesday. Readings below 50 mean most respondents view conditions as poor. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Homebuilders Look Beyond Banks, To Private Equity
Convinced that banks will reject homebuilders' loan applications for years to come, the builders' industry association is playing matchmaker to connect members with private equity firms. To ramp up the bonding, the National Association of Home Builders plans to launch this initiative at a kind of blind "speed dating" forum at its annual convention in January. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Pretty, Pioneering and Easy to Live in: AARP and NAHB Name Four Unique Homes and Developments to be 2009 Livable Communities Awards Winners
WASHINGTON, DC - Convenience and cachet combine naturally in the home and community designs named the 2009 Livable Communities Award winners today by AARP and the National Association of Homebuilders. The winning projects represent unique combinations of style, universal design and energy efficiency to make them desirable homes and neighborhoods for people of all ages to live in. AARP and NAHB established the annual Livable Communities Awards to recognize homes and developments designed to enhance the daily comfort, convenience and safety of the people who live in them. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Web Site Giveaway: BUILDER CONCEPT HOME 2010 To Give Away Kindle e-readers
BUILDER, the number one information source for the home building industry, announces a giveaway promotion of Amazon Kindle e-readers for people who tour the first entirely virtual show home and Web site during the 2010 International Builders’ Show. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Homebuilders end dismal '09 on up-note
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Indianapolis home builders enjoyed their best month of 2009 in December, as permits for new homes jumped 33 percent, to 279, over the same month in 2008. But 2009 ended up as one of the weakest in decades. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Stable Housing Prices, Reduction of Home Inventory Needed for Recovery
LAS VEGAS, NV - Despite recent data suggesting increased sales activity, foreclosure improvement and inventory reduction, the environment for a sustained improvement in single-family starts activity may not be as positive as it seems. According to a recent report by the Portland Cement Association (PCA), homebuilders are unlikely to accelerate construction activity until two critical conditions are met - low inventory levels of unsold new homes and stable or rising home prices. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
State leads way in 'green' building
SACRAMENTO, CA - Already one of the most environmentally-conscious states, California is again leading the pack with the passage of the strictest green building codes in the nation. The California Building Standards Commission approved the code, nicknamed Calgreen, last Tuesday. When the more stringent building code becomes mandatory Jan. 1, 2011, it will apply to new residential, commercial and public building construction. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Council considers tougher codes
FARMINGTON, NM — City councilors will consider whether to make penalties tougher for contractors who violate building codes. Councilors at their meeting 9 a.m. today will weigh whether the city should penalize contractors convicted of continuing construction after the city orders them to stop. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
International Builders' Show likely to see attendance plummet
Builders from around the country meeting in Las Vegas this week can expect to see the latest thing in home appliances, construction materials and homebuilding equipment. What they won't see are the record crowds that the International Builders' Show drew a few years ago.
Full Story.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
State builders association asks court to block new building code
The Pennsylvania Builders Association today asked Commonwealth Court to block implementation of new building code requirements that went into effect on Jan. 1. Association Executive Vice President Douglas Meshaw said that the new building codes will drive up the cost of an average single-family home in Pennsylvania by more than $10,000. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Business Professor Expects Boom For Local Construction Industry
WATERTOWN, NY - Business experts predict 2010 will be a time when people and companies will continue to tighten their belts, but there are some areas of the economy that are expected to boom. The construction industry is a prime example. Full Story.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Chusid Associates' 10 Best New Building Products of 2009
TARZANA, CA - Chusid Associates, the nation's leading marketing consultant for building products, has announced a list of 10 Best New Building Products of 2009, available on the BuildingProductMarketing.com blog. The list highlights not only innovative products but also the important construction industry trends and developments that they represent. Full Story.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Homebuilding To Rebound In 2010/2011, Masco (MAS) Predicted To Have Strong Performance According To Industry Expert
NEW YORK, NY - The Wall Street Transcript has just published its Large-Cap Growth and Other Investing Strategies Report offering a timely review of the sector to serious investors and industry executives. This 53 page feature contains expert industry commentary through in-depth interviews with public company CEOs, Equity Analysts and Money Managers. Full Story.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Builders seek to snuff out sprinkler law
Developers worry about homebuyers' ability to pay higher prices. Fire officials say extra costs will be neutralized by preservation of property.
HARRISBURG, PA - Homebuilders plan one more effort after losing the fight to keep Pennsylvania from being the first state to require home sprinkler systems. As of Jan. 1, under the law, all new town homes and apartments must have sprinklers. Sprinklers must be installed in every new duplex and single home starting in 2011. Full Story.
Monday, January 18, 2010
New Product Saves Time and Money Sealing Building Core Holes
AUBREY, TX - While working in the commercial tenant finish-out industry, Chuck Longhenry realized there had to be a faster and less intrusive way to seal the core and penetration holes that typically contain electrical and data wires in multi-story buildings. After two years of trial and error he perfected and applied for a patent on the SealCore Safety Plate, an innovative way to seal core holes during construction and post-construction that saves money and reduces installation time while meeting all building codes. Full Story.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Warren County Community College offers construction code licensing courses
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ – Licensing to become a New Jersey Uniform Construction Code Enforcement Inspector or Official requires candidates to complete a combination of trade experience, national testing, and mandatory educational programs. Warren County Community College has been approved by the NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to help candidates meet these requirements by offering the required courses. Full Story.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Company's speed-up invention suffers in weak home-building market
DENVER, CO - During the housing boom, builders sought ways to construct houses as quickly as possible. That was all right with Keith Dietzen, chief executive of Boulder's Keymark Enterprises LLC. When it comes to home-building, "we speed up the cycle time," said Dietzen, who started Keymark, which produces prefabricated framing materials using proprietary design software, in 1975. Full Story.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
New home numbers have bright spots
GAINESVILLE, GA - The end-of-the-year numbers of new housing starts last year in Hall County, which we reported a few days ago, seem bleak but one man close to the construction industry here there is a bright side. "I'm hoping to see some positive results coming the latter part of this year," said Van Neese, executive officer of the Gainesville-Hall County Homebuilders Association. Full Story.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Building in quake resistance
Code requirements are based on geology, not geography or seismic zones
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Oklahoma City or Los Angeles, the minimum code requirements for earthquake resistance in new buildings are the same if the geology is the same. That’s the gist of what structural engineer Bob Zahl said was the hard-to-explain requirements of the International Building Code adopted by most municipalities. Gone, or on the way out, are requirements pegged to seismic zones and geography, he said. Full Story.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Haiti earthquake relief: Voices in rubble drive one rescue team
PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI – Homes slapped together, offices and stores constructed with no building codes: The complete devastation of parts of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, is rooted in part in structural weaknesses that posed threats even before the quake hit. Now, rescuers are having to negotiate the consequences of substandard construction as they rush to save lives. For many of them, it's the most perilous task they’ve ever been assigned. Full Story.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
SoCal Learns from Disasters
LOS ANGELES, CA - It wasn't just poverty that conspired against a building code in Haiti. Full Story.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Bay Area engineer surveys destruction in Haiti
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - One Bay Area engineer now in Haiti is weighing in on the lack of building codes people believe contributed to the massive destruction in Haiti during Tuesday's 7.0 magnitude earthquake near Port-au-Prince. "There was a lot of unreinforced masonry," structural engineer Eduardo Fierro said during a Skype interview from the Dominican Republic. Full Story.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Lessons From a Century of Disasters
An earthquake expert says, it can't happen here
LOS ANGELES, CA - It wasn't just poverty that conspired against a building code in Haiti. Illiteracy and an inability to learn from previous disasters also played a role, according to scientists. Southern California has been learning those lessons from more than a century of earthquake disasters. Full Story.
Friday, January 15, 2010
UB quake center providing vital data, hands-on help
BUFFALO, NY - The earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday is a tragic reminder of how critical the development, application and regulation of building codes are, according to one local expert. "Earthquakes do not kill people," said Andre Filiatrault, director of the University at Buffalo's Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research. "If you're sitting in the middle of a football field with a lawn chair and an earthquake occurs, no problem. However, it's what we build that can potentially collapse." Full Story.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Centerpiece house for builders’ conference a no-show
LAS VEGAS, NV - A Las Vegas house has come to epitomize the struggles of the homebuilding industry. For the first time in the International Builders’ Show’s history, the so-called New American Home, which depicts cutting-edge innovation and technology in the housing industry, won’t be open for tours when the show begins in Las Vegas next week. Full Story.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Four and half plus years after Katrina, homebuilding continues
PLYMOUTH, MA — Homes are a luxury to the people of New Orleans who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina more than four years ago. For former Plymouth resident Andy Chase joining the St. Bernard Project in New Orleans in September has been a fulfilling experience. The St. Bernard Project is a nonprofit rebuilding organization that helps Katrina survivors rebuild their homes and lives. Full Story.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Home sales, prices seen falling in 2011
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Orange County-based homebuilders were told Thursday that the recession may be over, but the future for the economy and the housing industry remains uncertain. As if to underscore that point, economist Chris Thornberg released a forecast projecting that after modest gains this year, home sales and prices will dip again in 2011 because of rising foreclosures and interest rates. Full Story.
Friday, January 15, 2010
'High death toll in Haiti quake result of widespread corruption in construction industry'
WASHINGTON - The high death toll in the Haiti earthquake, which is only expected to rise in the coming days, is a consequence of corruption and resulting shoddy construction practices in the impoverished country, a seismologist at the University of Colorado at Boulder has said. Full Story.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Impoverished Haiti May Be Stuck in Seismic Safety’s Past
As rescuers in Haiti struggled to locate victims of a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the island at 4:53 p.m. on Jan 12, the U.S. government and construction industry mobilized to assist. U.S. engineers familiar with the Caribbean also speculated that impoverished Haiti and its structures may have existed in a seismic safety time-warp with 1970s standards or worse. Full Story.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Senate committee delays workers' comp law
NASHVILLE, TN — State Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, won unanimous approval of legislation in the Senate Finance Committee today calling for immediate suspension of a new law to require sole proprietors and partners engaged in the construction industry to carry workers’ compensation coverage on themselves. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Economist gives developers optimism they can build on
TOMS RIVER, NJ — An economist gave a group of local builders some good news on Wednesday after years of bad. Yes, the market for new homes bottomed out in 2009. Yes, there will be improvement in the second half of 2010, with the number of construction starts increasing by about 15 percent for the year. Full Story.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Missouri Kicks Off Program to Jumpstart Housing Market, Create Construction Jobs
ST LOUIS, MO - Gov. Jay Nixon and State Treasurer Clint Zweifel joined skilled craftsmen in St. Louis and Kansas City to kick off the Home Ownership Purchase Enhancement (HOPE) Program, a $15 million initiative designed to jumpstart the state's housing-construction industry. Full Story.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Homebuilders see a resurgence in small
DENVER, CO - Shea Homes Colorado is rolling out its first new community at Reunion in four years. The homebuilder is using the Commerce City development as the local launching pad for a smaller, simpler product designed to appeal to younger, more mobile buyers. "The buyer today is different than a few years ago," said Chetter Latcham, president of Shea Homes Colorado. "They've reprioritized their lives and are scaling down. The day of the McMansion is gone." Full Story.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Devastation blamed on lack of building codes
In many ways, the catastrophic quake that struck Haiti on Tuesday was the perfect storm: A massive, shallow eruption below a densely populated city with few, if any, building codes. The magnitude 7.0 quake occurred along the boundary separating two major tectonic plates, the Caribbean and North American plates. Full Story.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
New state fire codes aimed at reducing fires and protecting the environment
SACRAMENTO, CA – Updated fire and building codes developed to increase fire resistance in buildings and homes across California will take effect this month. The new codes, which will be enforced by Cal Fire's Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and fire and building departments throughout the state, bring California in line with the 2009 International Building, Fire, and Residential Code. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
California Approves Requirement for Fire Sprinklers in All New Homes Beginning in 2011
PATTERSON, NY - The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), the longest-tenured fire sprinkler advocacy organization in the U.S., announces the State of California has adopted building code changes that will require all new one- and two-family homes and townhouses built in the state starting January 1, 2011, to be equipped with life-saving fire sprinkler systems. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
California Bolsters Green Building Codes Despite Controversy
It may not always be greener on the other side of the fence, but now it will be in California. Yesterday (Jan. 12) the California Building Standards Commission unanimously approved a series of changes to its state building codes, branded as CalGreen, which include the addition of mandatory statewide green standards that are the strictest in the country. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Brown: Smaller is better
WICHITA FALLS, TX - It’s amazing how little I know about the value of housing in Wichita Falls, yet here I am trying to explain why homebuilders are downsizing the square feet in homes now being built. This trend to smaller homes includes smaller lots on which they are being built. One Realtor complained some of these new homes have lots so narrow that it is difficult to have a practical driveway and garage. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Heated debate on sprinkler mandate
CONCORD, NH – Fire prevention experts squared off against homebuilders yesterday over the need for fire sprinklers in one and two-family homes. State Fire Marshal William Degnan asked the House Commerce Committee to reject two bills that would prevent a change in building and fire codes. The code changes will require sprinklers in new and heavily renovated homes starting April 2012. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Signs of life in the home-building industry
A large-scale development in Irvine and profits posted by some builders bring hope for a turnaround, but the industry's outlook remains fragile.
IRVINE, CA - A construction site in Irvine is alive with the sound of the boom years. Workers hammering fresh wood beams shout orders at each other in Spanish. Diesel trucks rumble through newly paved subdivisions. Men with scrolls of construction plans tucked under their arms bark instructions into mobile phones. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Vail to hold workshop on new building codes
Vail changes impact energy conservation code, plumbing code and accessibility standard, among others
VAIL, CO — The town of Vail will host a free workshop this month to provide information on newly-enacted building code changes. It will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 27 at Donovan Pavilion, 1600 S. Frontage Road. Contractors, builders, architects and property owners are encouraged to attend to learn more about the changes and amendments that became effective Jan. 1. The changes impact the international building code, energy conservation code, fire code, fuel gas code, plumbing code and accessibility standards. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
PetersenDean Partners with SunRun to Offer Revolutionary Solar Leasing Program to Benefit Homebuilders, Buyers, and the Environment
New Solar Leasing Program to Deliver Fixed Prices and Green Energy to California Homeowners
NEWARK, CA - PetersenDean Roofing and Solar Systems, the nation's largest, privately-owned roofing and solar energy company, has announced an exclusive partnership with SunRun, the nation's leading provider of residential solar financing, on a ground-breaking leasing program that enables Californians to purchase a new solar home at the price of a standard home, locking in low, fixed electricity bills for 20 years. Full Story.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Beazer Homes Takes eSMART Program to Heightened Levels of Performance
Innovative Building Measures Aimed at Curbing Energy Use and Lowering Ownership Costs
ATLANTA, GA - Beazer Homes USA, Inc., one of the country's top 10 homebuilders, today announced the expansion of its eSMART initiative to include three progressive levels of high-performance homes, all engineered as a whole-house system to achieve greater energy efficiency, conserve water and improve indoor air quality. The enhancements strengthen the Company's eco-friendly home offerings and are modeled after best practices from its award-winning "green" building partner Imagine Homes of San Antonio. Full Story.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Environmental groups try to block parts of California's green building code
The Sierra Club and Natural Resources Defense Council are among six groups waging a last-minute campaign to derail some of the rules, saying they aren't tough enough.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Environmental groups are mounting a last-ditch effort to derail key elements of the state's first-in-the-nation green building code -- a major initiative of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration. The proposed code, likely to be adopted Tuesday, would slash water use, mandate the recycling of construction waste, cut back on polluting materials and step up enforcement of energy efficiency in new homes, schools, hospitals and commercial buildings statewide. Full Story.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
U.S. construction unemployment at 22.5%
According to the Associated General Contractors of America’s analysis of December nationwide jobs data … Full Story.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Record lows: Single-family construction numbers down again in 2009
CAPE CORAL, FL - 2009 was the worst year in a decade for the construction industry in Cape Coral. A mere 173 single family home permits were pulled last year in the city, a far cry from the 1,753 permits pulled in 1999. As the years progressed, so did the housing and construction industries, with the number of permits and their values steadily increasing as the decade wore on. Full Story.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Small homebuilders’ goal: Survival
Bill Watt is the founder and president of Baywood Development Group in Newport Beach, a small private homebuilder specializing in developing “unique homes and uncommon neighborhoods.” The firm has built abut 2,500 homes in communities such as Brea, Tustin Ranch, Rancho Santa Margarita and San Diego County. Full Story.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Half-built homes can be bargains, but with strings attached
More custom homebuilders have gone out of business than the big subdivision builders, making buying and completing a usually much larger structure more of a challenge than garden-variety foreclosures or short sales.
ORLANDO, FL — First came foreclosure sales, then short sales. Now we are seeing more half-finished homes for sale: bare-stud, bare-yard houses abandoned by their builders and left to languish on the market. Purchasing a partially built home is nothing new; during the housing boom, many new-home contracts were signed before even a slab had been poured. The difference now is that the builder might no longer be around to finish the job, particularly if it's a house started by a custom builder who subsequently lost clients, financing ... or its entire business. Full Story.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Report shows steep construction decline in 2009
ST GEORGE, UT — Utah’s construction industry was defined by severe declines in 2009, with the value of permit authorized construction plunging by 25 percent last year, according to the 2010 Economic Report to the Governor. The value of new construction in Utah was $3.5 billion in 2009, reaching its lowest level since 1996. When the data is adjusted to account for inflation, the $3.5 billion value of authorized construction in 2009 represents the state’s lowest level since 1992. Full Story.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Thicker drywall now code for carports, garages
It's a safety issue, supervisors told; 5/8-inch rated as fire-resistant
MEMPHIS, TN - DeSoto County supervisors unanimously approved a change to the residential building code Wednesday, requiring the use of 5/8-inch drywall in garages and carports. The current code only required the use of 1/2-inch drywall in garages. In a public hearing, County Emergency Services Director Bobby Storey told supervisors it was a simple matter of public safety. Full Story.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Schwarzenegger proposes tax credit to spark new home building
SACRAMENTO, CA - More than 20,000 California homebuyers could get state tax credits of up to $10,000 this year under a new stimulus proposed Wednesday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The governor's plan to allocate $200 million in credits to buyers of new or existing homes is part of a job creation strategy. It goes now to state lawmakers for consideration. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Local home resale market saw a bit of a rebound in 2009
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Pikes Peak region’s resale market enjoyed an upswing last year, in contrast to the home building industry. A Pikes Peak Regional Building Department report this week showed home construction last year fell to its lowest level in nearly two decades. Statistics released Wednesday by the Pikes Peak Association of Realtors, however, continued to show hopeful signs for the resale market: Full Story.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
AIA Predicts Continued Decline for Nonresidential Construction
Although the economy is showing signs of recovery, tough times are still ahead for the non-residential construction industry. According to the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Consensus Construction Forecast released today (Jan. 6), spending in the sector is predicted to decline overall by 13.4 percent in 2010. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Experts at The Dubai Forum call for greater knowledge transfer on sustainability in construction industry
UAE - Sustainability cannot be generalized, but should integrate histories, geographies and traditions, including contemporary building aspects, and Dubai is a perfect example for these trends that professionals need to emulate and share at all practical levels, according to Elizabeth O'Donell, Associate Dean, Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, US. Full Story.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Bouchard unveils plan to spur state's construction industry
LANSING, MI - Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, a Republican candidate for governor, today unveiled a plan for a 12-month moratorium on property tax increases on home and business additions and remodeling in an attempt to spur the state's moribund construction industry. Projects completed within that window would be exempt from tax increases on the new construction until the home is sold. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Contractors group tabs Vertegy for LEED course
ST LOUIS, MO - Vertegy was recently recruited by the Associated General Contractors of America to develop and update a course aimed at training people in the construction industry on the new LEED guidelines for new construction. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Tough times for Utah's construction industry
Economy: Employment drop in St. George among country's deepest.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - New monthly figures from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) emphasize how hard the recession has hit the construction industry in Utah -- particularly the St. George area. Out of 337 metropolitan areas in the country, only four had a greater percentage decline in construction jobs than Utah's fast-growing Dixie region between the Novembers of 2008 and 2009. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Council adopts 2006 building codes
2009 version requires homes to have sprinklers
BILOXI, MS — By adopting the 2006 International Building Codes instead of the 2009 version, the City Council kept its discount for insurance premiums and satisfied builders’ concerns. On Tuesday, the council adopted the codes, which will take effect 30 days after being signed by Mayor A.J. Holloway. Full Story.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Judge Orders Review Of Plastic Piping
California State Pipe Trades Council, Some Environmental Groups Sued State
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The commission that administers California's building codes will have to conduct a new environmental review of plastic piping used for drinking water after a ruling by a judge. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch on Dec. 4 ruled the California Building Standards Commission improperly approved polyethylene cross-linked pipes for use in construction projects. Full Story.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Foreclosures weigh on home appraisals
LOS ANGELES, CA — It wasn’t the first time that Katherine Scheri ruined a real estate agent’s day with a low property appraisal. Scheri, a real estate appraiser, had sized up a three-bedroom, two-bath house in Santa Ana, Calif., for $30,000 less than what the buyers offered to pay. A typical deal-killer for a seller. Full Story.
Monday, January 4, 2010
2009 was worst year for local homebuilding industry in almost two decades
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Last year was one to forget for several home builders and thousands of homeowners in the Pikes Peak region: The pace of home construction dropped to its lowest level in nearly two decades in 2009, while soaring numbers of foreclosure filings shattered a record that had been set only a year earlier. This year should be better for builders and homeowners — but only slightly so, say some industry experts and economists. Full Story.
Monday, January 4, 2010
U.S. construction spending fell 0.6% in November
Construction spending in the U.S. fell for the seventh straight month in November to the lowest level in more than six years, led by declines in homebuilding and fewer commercial projects. The 0.6 percent drop followed a revised 0.5 percent decrease in October, previously reported as unchanged, Commerce Department figures showed Monday in Washington. Construction spending was down 13 percent in November from the same month a year earlier. Full Story.
Monday, January 4, 2010
New rules govern garage door replacements
MANATEE COUNTY, FL - Because of recent Florida Building Code changes, on Jan. 1, the Manatee County Building Department began a permitting and inspections process for all garage door replacements in the unincorporated areas of the county. “This is being done for the health, safety and welfare of our customers,” Building Director John Barnott said. “We don’t want people installing garage doors that are going to fail.” Full Story.
Monday, January 4, 2010
2 proposals to amend new NH sprinkler regs
CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Legislature is expected to consider two bills that would prevent the state from enforcing amendments to building codes that expand requirements for sprinkler systems. Full Story.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Sullivan County residential building code takes effect
BLOUNTVILLE, TN — A new residential building code and new property maintenance code took effect Jan. 1 in non-incorporated sections of Sullivan County. “Up until now we’ve only enforced zoning, flood plains, and health and safety regulations,” said Ambre Torbett, planning director for Sullivan County. Full Story.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Builders, safety experts, debate sprinkler rules
DES MOINES, IA - Intense lobbying has begun in Iowa over a new state building code that will require fire sprinklers in new one-family and two-family homes starting in 2013. Fire safety advocates say installing sprinklers during construction of houses, duplexes and townhouses will save Iowans' lives. But homebuilders say the requirement will inflate building costs and hamper Iowa's housing market. Full Story.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
NY energy plan pushes conservation, solar and wind
ALBANY, NY — A new state energy plan released in December calls for more conservation, more use of renewable sources such as solar and wind power, a tougher New York building code and a disclosure requirement for a building’s utility usage when it’s sold. Gov. David Paterson said the plan he accepted from the State Energy Planning Board provides the blueprint for a continuing transition to a clean energy economy over the next decade. Full Story.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Fine Homebuilding Gives Outlook for the Building Industry: Predictions for 2010 and the Decade Ahead
The editors of Fine Homebuilding have made their predictions for what you can expect from the residential building industry in the decade ahead.
Newtown, CT - As 2009 ends, we draw the curtain on the first decade of the 21st century, which played host to some of the most monumental changes ever to affect the building industry. What will next year and the next decade bring? We’ve experienced extremes in every direction. Home prices and home ownership skyrocketed to record heights. But we also experienced one of the worst housing downturns and the biggest spikes in foreclosures in history. Will we have a recovery and what will it look like? Full Story.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
A window may open for new wells in Kittitas County
YAKIMA, WA - A door is being cracked open for home-building to resume in upper Kittitas County after being halted for months by a ban on new water wells. The state Department of Ecology proposed to Kittitas County commissioners a 150-day period when new wells could be drilled and put into use without having to obtain existing water rights to offset the new withdrawal, a concept known as mitigation. Full Story.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Full Story.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Stimulus cash a building block for state
BOSTON, MA - Bad economic news has become the norm, from record state deficits to soaring unemployment. But the numbers have been especially bad for the construction industry, which lost some 2 million jobs nationwide over the past two years. Full Story.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Utah building codes likely to be revised
SALT LAKE CITY, UT — When Utah lawmakers convene next month, one of the items on their 2010 legislative agenda will be reconstructing the state's standards for commercial and residential construction. HB45, also known as the State Construction Code Adoption Act, details standards to be applied to new building construction, remodeling and repair in the state. Full Story.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Home, sweet new home
If you've done any house hunting lately, it doesn't take a walk into too many entryways to realize the homes of the 21st century are different from those homes built 15 years ago. But the differences go beyond that turquoise Formica in the older kitchen and the beige granite in the newer kitchen. In many cases, the actual layout of an older home is different from that of a home built in the last five years, and builders say more changes are coming. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Full Story.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tools to help contractors, customers in challenging economy
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - The economic downturn of the past year has meant a higher level of responsibility for the construction industry. It has been a challenging time, and not only for homeowners. Contractors face the challenge of soliciting bids for projects with companies that have increased layoffs – and could go out of business. And then there’s the fact that the company or homeowner could get into hardship with these projects. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Home Builders Look for Better Times in 2010
SANTA MARIA, CA - 2009 will be a year to forget for many in the Central Coast home building industry. New building permits plunged to less than 20 percent of an average year. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
New Eagle County building codes take effect Jan.1
Eagle County adopts International Energy Conservation Code
EAGLE COUNTY, CO — As of Jan. 1, all construction work in unincorporated Eagle County will be regulated based on the 2009 edition of the International Building Codes and adopted amendments. A complete list of the codes and amendments is available for review at www.eaglecounty.us/commDev. Full Story.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Georgia Construction Directory Launches to Help Georgia Builders & Contractors
ATLANTA, GA – Georgia Construction Directory is proud to announce its new directory service, now available online to construction industry professionals and homeowners alike, looking for qualified industry partners. The web address for the directory is http://www.georgiaconstructiondirectory.com, and the listing service is free. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Workers' comp law may be delayed
NASHVILLE, TN - State lawmakers will debate whether to suspend a workers’ compensation law that has divided the construction industry at a special session on education that is expected to start Jan. 12. House Speaker Kent Williams told legislators Tuesday that Gov. Phil Bredesen’s special session call language will allow debate on a law that requires all contractors to have workers’ compensation insurance. Small contractors say the law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, is costly and unnecessary, but large contractors say the law eliminates abusive practices and makes job bidding fairer. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Architecture Billings Show Signs of Thaw
Business conditions remained weak through the third quarter of 2009 for architects who design houses, but certain segments at the lower end of the market appear poised for recovery in 2010, according to new figures from the American Institute of Architects. This could be good news for homebuilders, considering architecture billings are often a harbinger of what’s to come in the construction pipeline. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
New Eagle County building codes take effect Jan.1
Eagle County adopts International Energy Conservation Code
VAIL, CO - As of Jan. 1, all construction work in unincorporated Eagle County will be regulated based on the 2009 edition of the International Building Codes and adopted amendments. A complete list of the codes and amendments is available for review at www.eaglecounty.us/commDev. Full Story.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Remodeling jobs up in Idaho Falls
IDAHO FALLS, ID - It's been a good year for Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling. "We're up about 25%," said Garrett Meikle of Paul Davis. That's because more people are choosing to remodel their current home instead of buying a new one. Full Story.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Global construction industry expected to pick up in 2010: survey
SINGAPORE - The construction sector around the world is likely to pick up in 2010 in tandem with the recovering global economy. According to KPMG's 2009 Global Construction Survey, 64 per cent of respondents expect to either increase or maintain profits by next year. The survey sought the views of the top management of more than 100 of the world's leading engineering and construction companies. Full Story.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Lumber market shows signs of rebound
After surviving the worst homebuilding year since the end of World War II, lumber producers in Longview say they're seeing the first signs of a slow recovery.
LONGVIEW, WA — After surviving the worst homebuilding year since the end of World War II, lumber producers in Longview say they're seeing the first signs of a slow recovery. Anthony Chavez of Weyerhaeuser says that if the $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers successfully boosts home sales, it could lead to increased demand for timber and wood products. Congress has approved an extension of the tax credit through the middle of 2010. Full Story.
Monday, December 28, 2009
New Jersey building permits increased in November
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - Permits to build housing in New Jersey increased 1.4 percent from October to November, fresh evidence that home building is stabilizing and even increasing modestly in the state. Housing permits decreased 12.4 percent nationally, 25.3 percent in Pennsylvania and 10.8 percent in Delaware for the month, according to Census Bureau data released Monday. Full Story.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Life in 2030: Big Brother will be watching with greater efficiency
New Zealanders are likely to be bound by home-building laws that ensure properties generate their own energy and recycle their own water within 20 years. Full Story.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Prospects for homebuilders improving
The outlook for U.S. homebuilders improved to "stable" for the first time in almost four years, Moody's Investors Service said recently, citing rising sales and the most affordable property market in years. "Housing starts, new-home sales and existing-home sales are all showing positive trends," senior housing analyst Joseph Snider said in a note to investors this month. "Operating profits of the rated homebuilders are also expected to show modest improvements in 2010." Full Story.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Western homebuilding on the mend?
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Are Western builders seeing a turnaboutafter an extended, ugly downturn? The latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index for December showed the West bucking national trends. The builder confidence survey, released by the National Association of Homebuilders, showed the West (chart at right) with a slight 1-point gain to 19. That’s 9th increase in 11 months. Full Story.
Saturday, December 26, 2009>
Obama's union push costly, confusing
President Obama's plan to force contractors to hire union workers for large government construction projects is proving easier said than done, confusing and costlier. Full Story.
Saturday, December 26, 2009>
Greer says codes must have teeth
County has no way to enforce property rules on books
GLASGOW, KY — The debate over adding property maintenance standards to the area’s building code boils down to an argument over protecting property values versus the right of owners to do what they want with their property. The county is considering approving the International Property Maintenance Code as part of the county’s ordinance. Full Story.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Lease-to-own home deals have a rocky past, but new company sees opportunity
Construction industry veteran Tim Walsh sees a stagnant housing market combined with strict lending standards as a new business opportunity. Walsh started Confluence Property Ventures two months ago to buy homes and then lease them to people who have poor or damaged credit. Full Story.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Health bill's potential costs worry some small builders
Coming off a year in which his remodeling and custom home-building company saw two-thirds less business and had to lay off nearly half its employees, David Crane hopes next year brings an economic turnaround. But Crane worries about how much part of the health reform bill up for a vote in the U.S. Senate today might cost him and other contractors. Full Story.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
City hopeful as construction picks up
ALBUQUERQUE, NM - In a sign the worst of the recession may be over; the growing number of home-building projects lined up for the winter has construction crews working just days before Christmas. Even the snow didn't stop home construction on Wednesday. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Construction permits for new houses up sharply
ST LOUIS, MO - Home building is picking up once again in the St. Louis region. The number of permits for new single-family homes jumped 69 percent in November from the same month last year, according to new figures from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Cambridge City Council approves stricter green building code
CAMBRIDGE, MA — Councilors have unanimously vote to become the second community in the state to adopt Stretch Energy Code, which will provide a more energy efficient and stricter building code option beyond the city’s base procedures. The new code – aimed to enforce energy efficient guidelines for new renovations and newly constructed buildings – will go into effect on July 1, 2010. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
O.C. Considers Proposed Building Code Changes
OCEAN CITY, MD - The Ocean City Town Council on Monday heard a proposed law requiring people who install or maintain fuel and gas equipment to be licensed by the state of Maryland. Full Story.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Tax credits help contractors
Homeowners go green to save green
NASHVILLE, TN - With a 4,400-square-foot home and four sons, David LeFeve uses quite a bit of energy — about $600 per month, in fact. So, in an attempt to make his home more energy efficient, he replaced his 12-year-old heating and air conditioning system recently and hopes to save about $50 a month as a result. He'll also be rewarded with a total of $1,500 in tax credits from the federal government for doing so. Full Story.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sales of new homes spike across GTA
TORONTO, ON, CANADA - Sales of new homes and condominiums in the Greater Toronto Area jumped 156 per cent in November, the home-building industry announced Monday, citing a stronger new-home market than even the boom years of 2005-2007. Full Story.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sacramento's fast-tracking of projects hits snag
SACRAMENTO, CA - For urban developers, the city of Sacramento's plan was praiseworthy. Since 2005, a streamlined building-permit process enabled owners and contractors on large projects to meet tight deadlines for modifying interior spaces for commercial or industrial tenants. Full Story.
Monday, December 21, 2009
OC council considers code changes after CO leaks
OCEAN CITY, MD — Ocean City's Town Council is considering changes to the town's building code after several carbon monoxide leaks at the resort. At its meeting on Monday, the council will hear the first reading of a proposal to adopt a building code that mandates that anyone installing or dealing with gas appliances have a state certification. Full Story.
Friday, December 18, 2009
With new mayor installed, Miami delays its new building code
MIAMI, FL - Miami's three sitting city commissioners agreed Thursday to delay the sweeping Miami 21 zoning code for three months, setting the stage for what could be significant changes sought by activists and developers. Full Story.
Friday, December 18, 2009
New Hampshire to Require Sprinklers in All New Homes in 2012
A new portion of the New Hampshire building codes will require that sprinkler systems be installed in all new homes. WMUR-TV said the New Hampshire State Building Code Review Board voted to require sprinklers in every newly constructed single- and two-family home and town house starting in 2012. Fire officials say the requirement could save lives and property. Full Story.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Moody's: Homebuilding Looks Stable for First Time Since 2006
The investor service says that homebuilders face the first stable outlook in four years on stronger sales and housing starts
The outlook for U.S. homebuilders improved to "stable" for the first time in almost four years, Moody's Investors Service said today, citing rising sales and the most affordable property market in years. Full Story.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tax incentive spurs interest in new home building
RALEIGH, NC – Stanton Homes is seeing a significant increase in home buyers wanting to build their next new home.. "Even before the $6500 Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit, we were seeing a rise in the amount of people wanting to discuss plans to build a new home," said Stan Williams, CEO of Stanton Homes. "With the addition of this monetary incentive for repeat buyers, there’s a surge of interest in moving forward quickly with the building process, to make sure construction is completed before deadlines take effect." Full Story.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Radon, begone!; homeowners can mitigate deadly gas risk
MONTROSE, CA - Homebuilders can help combat radon gas, a silent killer that concentrates in houses after seeping in through the soil. “Colorado is the seventh-highest probability state in the nation for any given house to have elevated radon in it,” said Richard Thompson, Montrose County environmental health manager. “We have counties (whose radon levels) are rated high and a few that are moderate. Montrose County is rated high.” Full Story.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
CONSTRUCTION: November housing starts top October’s
OLYMPIA, WA - Homebuilders broke ground on new residences at a faster clip in November, a positive sign for the housing market and the residential real estate industry. Housing starts rose 8.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 574,000 units from the prior month, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. That figure represented a 12.4 percent decline from November 2008. Full Story.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Home construction rebounds with an 8.9% jump
Home building rebounded from a six-month low in November, with improvement in new home construction in all sections of the nation, according to a government report issued Wednesday. Construction of new homes rose to an annual rate of 574,000 during the month, 8.9% above the revised October rate of 527,000. The rate was still 12.4% below the 655,000 rate during November 2008. Full Story.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
How big does your kitchen need to be?
It's no secret that the trend in home building and renovations has been to maximize square footage and minimize the number of walls to give a spacious open feeling. Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada - Homes have been getting larger while families have been getting smaller. The old house that once raised generations of large families is not big enough for today's new owners. Full Story.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
U.S. consumer prices edge higher
U.S. consumer prices rose modestly last month, while new home building bounced back from an October slump, suggesting inflation is not yet a concern even as the economy's recovery moves forward. Full Story.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Frisco eyes changes to green building code
Town wants to avoid a ‘gimme' to builders who'd use sustainable practices anyway
FRISCO — To give builders an incentive to construct green buildings, Frisco may change its sustainable-building code refund program. The town currently refunds plan-review fees for existing or new building projects that meet a certain point value. Full Story.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
State energy plan pushes conservation, solar and wind
ALBANY, NY - A new state energy plan released Tuesday calls for more conservation, more use of renewable sources such as solar and wind power, a tougher New York building code and a disclosure requirement for a building's utility usage when it's sold. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Objections raised over new codes
BILOXI, MS — Builders told the City Council on Tuesday that they object to new building codes that would require sprinkler systems in all new homes. The council tabled action on adopting the 2009 International Building Code until a workshop is scheduled, probably after the first of the year. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Building permits up for month in Manatee
MANATEE COUNTY, FL - The county saw another increase in residential building permits in November, an indication that the home building industry may be bouncing back. Sixty-six permits for new homes were filed, compared with 28 in November 2008. Full Story.
Monday, December 14, 2009
BUILDER Magazine Partners With Marianne Cusato To Present The Builder Concept Home 2010: A Home For The New Economy
BUILDER, the number one information source for the home building industry, announces the launch of its 12th annual concept home and the first entirely virtual show home at the 2010 International Builders Show (IBS) in Las Vegas January 19-22. The BUILDER Concept Home 2010: A Home for the New Economy exemplifies a dramatic shift in how homes are designed, built, maintained and lived in—and presented to the industry. Full Story.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Fitch: Light at the End of the Tunnel in Sight for U.S. Homebuilders
NEW YORK - With various macroeconomic housing and related statistics bottoming about mid-year 2009 and subsequently moving forward in fits and starts, a four-year downturn has evidently come to an end for U.S. homebuilders, according to Fitch Ratings in its outlook report for the sector. While Fitch maintains a Negative Outlook for U.S. homebuilding in 2010, the expected conclusion of the national housing credit has positively influenced housing data over the last few months. Pending home sales, existing home sales, single family housing starts and single family new home sales have been generally showing improvement after bottoming out earlier this year. Full Story.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Codes part of new statewide energy policy; jurisdictions urged to comply, some are not
KNOXVILLE, TN - Over the last couple of decades, even the most rural corners of Tennessee have seen vacation homes, retirement communities and suburban McMansions spring up in response to southern migration and economic growth. For many local communities, however, an infrastructure of local building codes and inspectors to enforce them hasn't followed suit. Full Story.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
CCCIA praises local businesses for contributions
’09 Awards of Excellence take on new meaning following downturn
CAPE CORAL, FL - The overriding theme of this year's Cape Coral Construction Industry Association Awards of Excellence is one of celebration. While the ceremony celebrates the very best of the city's construction industry, the 2009 recognition is truly special because of the adversity businesses have faced over the last few years. Full Story.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Homebuilding on the rebound
Low interest, tax credit boost permit numbers
SIOUX FALLS, SD - Low interest rates and tax incentives are spurring a late-year comeback for the homebuilding market in Sioux Falls. The number of single-family building permits issued so far this year is almost equal to those issued during the same period last year, according to data from the city's planning division. That's no small development considering that slightly more than a month ago, single-family housing permit numbers were running 66 behind last year's pace. Full Story.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Denver homebuilders seeing signs of a turnaround
First-time buyers push demand
DENVER, CO - Though it's a far cry from the boom times of just a few years ago, Denver builders are starting to see demand increasing for new homes, especially among first-time buyers. Builders in the Denver market were selling on average one home per community per month during the third quarter, said Jay Peterson, regional manager for Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That's up from 0.7 homes a month during the same period last year. Full Story.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Building owners hit with 'compliance permit'
Non-conforming structures may cost landlords a bundle under new council rules
PALO ALTO, CA - Under requirements approved Tuesday by the City Council, property owners caught with buildings that seriously run afoul of city building codes will now have to pay for the time officials spend getting them to comply. Full Story.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Central California Bank, hit by loan losses, to leave California market
HONOLULU, HI - Central Pacific Bank will shut down its California operations by 2012 after suffering significant losses on bad loans to homebuilders in that state. The Honolulu-based bank operates only one branch in California, located in Pasadena. Eighteen employees will be affected. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Somerville Condo Complex Receives LEED Silver Certification
GFC Development Corp.'s Endicott Residences, in Somerville, has been awarded LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for achievement in green homebuilding and design. "As a LEED certified home, GFC's Endicott Residences is a model for greener living for the entire community," said Nate Kredich, vice president of residential market development for the U.S. Green Building Council. "The home is at the national forefront of quality; and GFC's example can help us all to live better by reducing our environmental footprint, cutting our utility bills, and coming home to a healthier place to live." Full Story.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The U.S. Green Building Council Awards GFC Development's Endicott Residences LEED Silver Certification for Green Homebuilding
WESTON, MA - GFC Development Corp., a diversified, green real estate developer and multi-award winning contractor, announced today that its groundbreaking, eco-friendly construction project, Endicott Residences, was awarded LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for achievement in green homebuilding and design. LEED-certified homes complete a technically rigorous process that includes a home energy (HERS) rating and on-site inspections to verify that the home is built to be energy and water efficient, environmentally sound, and a healthier environment. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Cash For Caulkers: Obama Wants Auto Program Principles Applied To Home Construction
In an effort to further stimulate job growth, the Obama administration is applying the principles of the Cash for Clunkers program to the housing construction industry. The president announced on Tuesday a three-pronged approach to resuscitating a stagnant labor market. In addition to providing a series of financial incentives to spur small business growth as well as investments in modernizing the nation's infrastructure, the White House aims to spur a virtual revolution in housing weatherization. Full Story.
Monday, December 7, 2009
National Group to Release New Diesel Emissions, Hiring and Business Forecast for California's Construction Companies During Media Conference Call
Construction Officials, Contractors Will Outline How Changing Business Conditions Are Rendering Proposed State "Diesel Retrofit" Regulations Unnecessary As Construction Activity Plummets
ARLINGTON, VA - On Tuesday, December 8 at 1:30 p.m. (PST), the Associated General Contractors of America will release a new forecast of diesel emissions, hiring plans and business opportunities for California construction companies during a media conference call. The analysis, based on a state survey of construction equipment use as well as a survey of the state's transportation construction firms, will show how proposed state "diesel retrofit" regulations are no longer needed to meet state emissions targets. Full Story.
Monday, December 7, 2009
In housing bust, small jobs keep contractors afloat
Middle TN builders put egos aside and become remodelers
NASHVILLE, TN - Capitol Homes built 850 homes in the last eight years, among them a house in Hendersonville for an episode of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Now, Capitol Homes' owner David Luecke is refinishing basements. "Why not? There are only so many books I can read," he said. The former homebuilder filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year, scaled down his business and became a home remodeler. Full Story.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Webinar to Examine New E-Verify Regulations for Federal Construction Contractors
WASHINGTON, DC - Newly implemented e-verification regulations have federal construction contractors asking questions about what it means for their future on federal projects. WPL Publishing is partnering with construction law experts from Les, Morrison, Rinker & Baker on Dec. 17 to present a new webinar that spells out what these updated requirements mean for the construction industry and its workforce. Full Story.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Experts put up framework for green building code
Goal is to guide all development
PHILADELPHIA, PA — When it comes to building projects, this one’s a monster. The construction zone is essentially the entire country. The builders are a variety of specialists, including architects, plumbers, masons, and lighting, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning experts. Since July, they have been meeting in cities — they were in Philadelphia last month — to construct not with bricks and steel beams, but with words. Full Story.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
CPAs Can Help Builders Increase Profits, Cash Flow
At a time when the construction industry is faced with unprecedented economic conditions, companies must do everything possible to remain profitable and maintain positive cash flows. Consider the following tips to help your clients in this industry: Full Story.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
November home building activity shows improvement in Clark County
CLARK COUNTY, WA - Home building activity showed signs of improvement in unincorporated Clark County in November, according to a report that tracks permits for single-family homes. Full Story.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Clark County homebuilding shows slight improvement
VANCOUVER, WA - Home building activity in unincorporated Clark County showed a slight improvement in November. Full Story.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Researcher says falls accounted for many deaths at Michigan construction sites
ANN ARBOR, MI - .Workers in the construction industry account for more fatalities than any other profession in Michigan, researchers say. Over a 16-month span at University of Michigan, three construction workers were killed. Deb Chester studies work-related deaths with Michigan State University's Occupational and Environmental Medicine Division. She found falls were the most common cause of construction worker deaths between 2004-2008. Full Story.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Builders weigh cost of Dubai’s debt woes
Concerns are growing in the construction industry about the implications of Dubai World’s debt woes on what were thought to be state-backed contracts. The extent to which the construction industry is exposed to Dubai’s building market remains unclear, with many companies having completed or already written off contracts. But industry figures are worried that Dubai World’s decision to freeze payments on $26bn of debt, and the government’s statement that it would not then guarantee it, could have repercussions across the region. Full Story.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Lumber could be the new oil
Shares of several of Canada's largest lumber exporters have skyrocketed in the past two months as new building codes in China allowing wood in construction have cracked open a previously inaccessible market for Canada's long-suffering forestry industry. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
N.J. building permits fall 10 percent
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - Home-building permits fell 10 percent in New Jersey from September to October, but analysis of the data suggests their four-year decline is leveling off. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
U.S. construction spending flat, residential up
WASHINGTON - U.S. construction spending was flat overall in October at $910.8 billion despite the biggest surge in homebuilding in more than a decade, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday in a report that sharply revised the prior month's data. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Homebuilding improves in Nov., but market remains weak
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Local home construction improved in November, while foreclosure filings last month slowed to their lowest level since early this year, according to a pair of reports released Tuesday. Those numbers, however, belie the area’s relatively weak housing market: the home building industry is on track for its worst year in two decades, while foreclosure filings already have set another annual record and are likely to top 5,000 in a few days. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Construction spending edges up in October
Construction spending posted a tiny increase in October, the first advance in six months, as a surge in home building offset continued weakness in nonresidential construction. The small gain is a hopeful sign that the key construction sector might be stabilizing, which could provide support for the fledgling economic recovery. Full Story.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Steady growth seen in economic reports
NEW YORK - The economic recovery seems on track for slow but steady gains, after reports Tuesday showed growth in manufacturing activity, construction spending and contracts to buy homes. A private measure of manufacturing activity grew for the fourth straight month in November, though more slowly than in October. The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing executives, said its index read 53.6, down from 55.7 in October. A reading above 50 indicates growth. Full Story.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Our dream homes will have to be green
MALTA - Homes and offices built after 2020 will have to generate almost all their own energy from renewable sources under new EU rules that will force the construction industry to make fundamental changes. The new buildings will also be required to have high-energy saving standards. This means the Maltese will have to re-think the methods used to build residences and other edifices. Full Story.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Fort Worth couple recognized for Gold LEED home
FORT WORTH, TX - Janet and Michael Wall of Fort Worth have been awarded the city’s first Gold LEED certification for their upscale home on Overton Crest Street in the Overton Park neighborhood. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a third-party rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED homes feature best practices that exceed building codes, exhibit greater energy efficiency and are referred to as "green homes." Full Story.
Monday, November 30, 2009
9 Home Improvements to Promote Healthy Living in Your Home
Consumers are more conscientious about healthy living than ever before and this awareness is making its way to the homebuilding industry, particularly in the custom home market, says Michael Lenahen who owns Ponte Vedra, Fla.-based Aurora Custom Homes. Full Story.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Landscape Architects Announce 2010 Awards Call for Entries
Outstanding juries named for professional and student awards program
WASHINGTON - The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has announced the 2010 Awards call for entries. Award recipients receive featured coverage in Landscape Architecture and Garden Design magazines and in many other design and construction industry and general-interest media. Award recipients, their clients and advisers will be honored at the awards presentation ceremony during the ASLA Annual Meeting and EXPO in Washington, D.C., September 10-13, 2010. Full Story.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Construction continues to lag in economy
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Metro Birmingham's construction industry won't likely recover until 2011. That's according to Ahmad Ijaz, an economic researcher for the University of Alabama. Full Story.
Friday, November 27, 2009
New values
How homebuilders are catering their designs for a more frugal consumer
BEND, OR - Bigger may have seemed better during the housing boom, but since the market went bust, many homebuilders have shifted to constructing smaller houses with less extravagant amenities in an attempt to sell at a competitive price and meet buyers’ price demands. From first-time homebuyers to retirees looking for a vacation home, people are searching for ways to save cash on home purchases because of the tough economic times, builders said. The result is that some builders have become more mindful in planning and building new homes in an attempt to keep home prices low. Full Story.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Fast moves help builders battle slump
PHOENIX, AZ - Long exposure to the market's brutality has whipped executives at two publicly owned homebuilders into a business-casual Delta Force. Meritage Homes Corp. and Pulte Homes Inc., both publicly traded companies with ties to the Valley, have survived partly by moving fast to grow leaner and more disciplined, using their financial might to keep prices low and making the most of a grim situation. Full Story.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Groups contend Arizona bills cross legal lines
The Arizona Supreme Court is being asked to overturn the Legislature's use of budget laws to set state policy on topics ranging from teachers' seniority rights and immigration enforcement to mortgage lawsuits and municipal building codes.
PHOENIX, AZ — The Arizona Supreme Court is being asked to overturn the Legislature's use of budget laws to set state policy on topics ranging from teachers' seniority rights and immigration enforcement to mortgage lawsuits and municipal building codes. A teachers union and other groups contend in recent lawsuits that lawmakers crossed the state Constitution's rules for lawmaking, including ones intended to have legislation considered on its own merits and in the light of day. Full Story.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Home building had a pulse in October
SAN DIEGO, CA - Home building in San Diego County and statewide is running at record-low levels as the housing market struggles with continued distress, but there was a spark of life in October. Local building permits were issued for 160 single-family homes, including townhouses, the best since June and the fourth highest figure this year, according to the Construction Industry Research Board. Full Story.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Area's new home starts rose sharply in October
SACRAMENTO, CA - Capital-area homebuilders started 199 new houses during October in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties, a 31 percent hike from September's 152 starts, the California Building Industry Association said Tuesday. Full Story.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Ember protection sought in new code
VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA - HOUSES in lower bushfire danger areas should have greater protection against ember attacks under Victoria's new bushfire building code, according to the Black Saturday Royal Commission. In a new report on building standards and bushfire bunkers, tabled in Parliament yesterday, the commission has recommended increased safeguards against bushfire embers in the construction of doors, windows and wall barriers. Full Story.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Construction Starts Stabilize; PLAs a Factor
NEW YORK CITY - The construction industry, which has taken a bruising hit since last autumn’s Wall Street implosion, went into the Thanksgiving holiday with a couple of things to be thankful for. One was a report from the New York Building Congress suggesting that construction starts are showing signs of stability; the other, a deal between the industry and the Bloomberg administration on project labor agreements for a quartet of public projects that are worth a combined $5.3 billion. Full Story.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Green Jobs Created Through $100 Million Sonoma County Energy Independence Program
Sonoma County Construction-Related Jobs Increase 8.4%
SANTA ROSA, CA - Despite rising unemployment in California and nationwide, construction-related jobs in Sonoma County increased 8.4 percent between January 2009 and September 2009 after the implementation of the $100 million Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP). Full Story.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Association adopting green home building guidelines
MARYVILLE, IL - The Home Builders Association of Greater Southwest Illinois, headquartered in Maryville, has embraced the concept of green building with the launch recently of its HBA Green Building Council. The effort ties in with a larger National Association of Home Builders Green Building Program which promotes the adoption of a set of Model Green Home Building Guidelines and the mainstream use of environmentally-friendly home building concepts. Full Story.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Newport City Council approves new building codes in first reading
NEWPORT, TN - The Newport City Council approved the 2006 International Building Code and the 2006 Residential Code, on first readings, at their monthly meeting held Wednesday, Nov. 18. A public hearing on the two building codes will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the City Hall chambers, and then a second and final reading on the codes is expected to take place immediately following the hearing. Full Story.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Oct. home construction, permits fall unexpectedly
WASHINGTON — Construction of new homes unexpectedly plunged last month, as builders waited to see whether lawmakers would extend a tax credit for homebuyers. The results show how much the housing market has been relying on government support for its fledgling recovery. The tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time owners was due to expire on Nov. 30, but Congress voted to extend it earlier this month and expand it to more buyers, after intense pressure from real estate agents and homebuilders. Full Story.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Integrated Electrical Services Safety Performance is Recognized With Prestigious 2009 Construction Industry Safety Excellence Award
HOUSTON, TX - Integrated Electrical Services, a leading national provider of electrical and communications services (Nasdaq: IESC - News), (www.ies-co.com) announced that it has received a prestigious Construction Industry Safety Excellence Award (CISE) award from Construction Users Roundtable (CURT, www.curt.org). The award was accepted by IES Vice President of Safety, Harvey Hammock, at an awards ceremony held Nov. 17 at the 2009 CURT National Conference. Full Story.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
U.S. Economy: Housing Fell as End of Credit Loomed
Residential construction in the U.S. unexpectedly dropped in October amid concern a homebuyer tax credit would expire, illustrating the market’s dependence on government help to sustain a recovery as job losses mount. Builders broke ground on 529,000 houses at an annual pace, down 11 percent from the prior month and the fewest since April’s record low, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. Data from the Labor Department signaled inflation will be of little concern for the Federal Reserve. Full Story.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Barwa, Diar adopt Qatari green building norms
DOHAR, QATAR - Barwa and Qatari Diar Real Estate companies yesterday avowed their implementation of green building codes by adopting the Qatar Sustainability Assessment System (QSAS) in all future projects. The two leading real estate companies of the country also urged all offices and consultancies in Qatar to adopt the QSAS system immediately. Full Story.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A big job for fire code committee
PARIS, TX - Seemingly overwhelmed by the amount of materials before them, the City of Paris Code Committee took a new direction Tuesday in assessing fire and building code recommendations. “I am having difficulty getting my arms around this,” committee chairman and local attorney Charles Waldrum said at the beginning of the 5 p.m. meeting at City Hall. “I suggest looking at the proposed ordinance by the city. I think that gives us somewhere to start.” Full Story.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Area homebuilding permits for October match '08 level
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Homebuilders in the Indianapolis area finally saw a turnaround in new home construction in October. Builders filed 338 single-family building permits in the nine-county metro area last month, the same number as in October of last year, according to the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis, which reports the numbers on its Web site. Full Story.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Unfinished subdivision leaves residents high, dry
Security bond for project's completion held by bankrupt bank
VALPARAISO, FL - The residents of Tower Meadows subdivision west of the city in unincorporated Center Township are wondering about their future. It's not just unfinished streets that are a problem now that developer Signature Homes is defunct and that Porter County has put a moratorium on home building in the unfinished subdivision. Full Story.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Homebuilder sentiment index unchanged in November
LOS ANGELES, CA — A key gauge of homebuilders' confidence held steady in November, reflecting a cautious outlook from residential developers as they waited to learn whether Congress would extend a homebuyer tax credit. The National Association of Home Builders said Tuesday this month's housing market index stood at 17 for the second month in a row. Full Story.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
ICC-ES: Metal Stud Door and Window Framing Report
LOS ANGELES, CA - It is now easier and safer to use light-gage steel stud framing. For the first time, the ICC Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) has issued an evaluation report confirming an engineered header system meets the requirements of the 2006 International Building Code (IBC) and 2007 California Building Code (CBC). The recently issued ICC-ES Evaluation Report ESR-1765 applies to the ProX Header by Brady Construction Innovations. Full Story.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
New home starts in Brevard hit '09 high
October's 104 encourages, but year overall is at record low
MELBOURNE, FL - New home starts in Brevard County rose to their highest level of the year in October, a hopeful sign for the troubled construction industry. Despite the increase, though, the county is on pace to build the fewest homes in a year since record keeping began in 1975. In October, 104 new residential building permits were issued in the county, according the Home Builders and Contractors Association of Brevard. Full Story.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Vail's new building code in effect Jan. 1
New Vail code includes increase in energy efficiency
VAIL, CO — Contractors doing work in Vail are reminded that, beginning Jan. 1, the town will regulate all building construction according to the 2009 edition of the International Building Codes. The codes, as approved by the Town Council in October, are available on the town's Web site at vailgov.com, then click on the “Community Development Department,” then “Building Safety and Inspection Services.” Full Story.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Rhea plans for building codes
CHATTANOOGA, TN - Rhea County officials plan to implement building codes by July 2010. Earlier this year, the Tennessee General Assembly passed the Clean Energy Future Act, which requires all counties and cities to enforce building codes. While the Rhea County municipalities -- Spring City, Dayton and Graysville -- have adopted the International Building Code, the county itself has no such code. Full Story.
Monday, November 16, 2009
McDonnel Group earns two awards in La. ‘Best of 2009’
METAIRIE, LA - The McDonnel Group, a Metairie-based general contractor, has earned two state construction industry awards for two area projects that are now also advanced into the national construction industry competition. The “Best of 2009” awards from industry publication “South Central Construction” magazine annually recognizes construction and design excellence from across Louisiana. The McDonnel Group earned a “Best in Category” award for “Best Health Care Project” for its work on the major expansion of Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital in Lacombe. It also earned an “Award of Excellence” in the education project category, the highest award given in that category this year, for its construction of Lakeshore High School. Full Story.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Despite Hard Times, A Wealth Of Innovative Construction In The State Earns Industry Accolades
HARTFORD, CT - The Connecticut home building industry took a look at itself Tuesday night, and despite the severe challenges it has weathered in the past year, it saw plenty to cheer: innovative new home construction at all price points, beautiful remodels, outstanding craftsmanship, ingenious energy-efficient features, special-purpose rooms, well-conceived townhouse and 55-plus communities — even creative marketing, merchandising, sales and financing strategies. Full Story.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Defective drywall homeowners should be compensated
Dec. 2 is an important date for some homeowners. It’s the last day they can join an omnibus class action lawsuit against Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., which allegedly shipped defective drywall to various homebuilders during the U.S. housing boom. Chinesedrywall.com, a site created by drywall opponents, says the defective drywall was imported from China from 2001 to 2007. It has been found to emit gases, like sulfur dioxide, that produce a foul odor and cause property damage such as problems with air conditioners, electrical wiring, copper plumbing, appliances and electronics. Full Story.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
New ways to enforce building codes?
CHEBOYGAN, MI - County officials have discussed adopting an ordinance to would allow building safety/construction code violations to be enforced as civil infractions. Full Story.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Standard provides foundation for Green building codes.
ATLANTA, GA - A proposed high-performance building standard and a stronger version of Standard 90.1, both being released next year, together will provide a total green resource for local and state governments looking to set building code requirements to reduce energy use. Full Story.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Building Codes Council needs retooling
JACKSON, MI — What exactly is known about the Mississippi Building Codes Council? You won’t find it listed in the telephone book or when conducting a quick search of the Internet. There is no office, telephone number or web site. What is known is that in 2006, the Legislature passed House Bill 1406 that created an organization to enforce wind and flood mitigation requirements in Mississippi’s five coastal counties and to require that all municipalities in those counties adopt certain nationally recognized building and residential codes as prescribed in the 2003 international residential and building codes. Full Story.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Realtors: Tax credit extension will boost market
LAS VEGAS, NV - Homebuilders and Realtors are counting an extension and expansion of a homebuyer tax credit to boost to the housing market through mid-2010. Last week, Congress extended the $8,000 credit for first-time buyers and expanded the program to include move-up buyers in the amount of $6,500. The credit for first-time buyer was set to expire Nov. 30. Full Story.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Northeast Ohio: Home building bounces back
CLEVELAND, OH - Home builders here are reporting levels of business they haven't seen since before the recession. Bo Knez of Knez Builders in Lake County reports new home sales and traffic at open houses have been on a steady upturn since spring. Michael and Daivd Payne of Payne and Payne Builders in Geauga County say their company's fourth quarter new home starts are at a level not seen in over a year. Full Story.
Friday, November 13, 2009
KU Engineering Student Publishes Book on Construction Industry in China
LAWRENCE, KS - infoZine - Ka Wah “Calvin” Chui (pronounced CHOO), a doctoral student in construction engineering and management, based the book on results of research for his KU master’s thesis project in international construction management. His adviser, Yong Bai, associate professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering, is the co-author for “Comparison of Contract General Conditions between the U.S. and China: Becoming More Competitive in the Chinese Construction Market,” published in August by VDM. Full Story.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
CU regents approve green rules for campuses
AURORA, CO - The University of Colorado regents on Thursday passed a measure that directs campus leaders to follow a series of green rules, such as meeting environmentally friendly building codes. The resolution says university leaders should strive to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards and recognize that the initial cost of those stringent eco-friendly codes can save on water and energy bills in the future. Full Story.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Abu Dhabi to Have Unified Building Codes in Early 2010
ABU DHABI, UAE - Outside banking and economics, regulators rarely hit the headlines but the rapid expansion of the built environment in burgeoning Abu Dhabi has put the men and women who ensure the safety of those who live and work in the emirate under unusually intense scrutiny. The Abu Dhabi Government has recently signed up to new and rigorous codes in urban and industrial building ,enforced by tough and inquisitive regulators, with hundreds of delegates from both private and public sector being despatched to training courses on every aspect of construction from seismic protection to fire control. Full Story.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
FMI's 2010 U.S. Markets Construction Overview
RALEIGH, NC - FMI, the nation’s leader in consulting and investment banking services for the construction industry, announces the release of its 2010 U.S. Markets Construction Overview, offering insight into some of the construction industry’s most complex business challenges. This year’s Overview consists of three major pieces: a compilation of strategic issues in the current environment, important trends observed in 13 client groups served by FMI and the third quarter 2009 forecast. Full Story.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
8 months on, final notification on building code yet to be cleared
INDIA - Nearly eight months after a team of experts drafted a set of rules in the form of a building code to make important structures and newly-constructed public buildings in the city resistant to bomb blasts, the final notification making it mandatory for builders to follow the code awaits a clearance from the chief minister. The government, meanwhile, has been under pressure from builders who believe the rules are unrealistic and too expensive to implement. Full Story.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Buffalo County considers ordinance to enforce state building code
WINONA, MN - Buffalo County zoning planners are considering an ordinance to locally enforce state-required uniform dwelling codes. The ordinance would regulate building inspection codes in municipalities that do not have their own zoning ordinances. Town board representatives in the Buffalo County Towns Association favor a county UDC ordinance to provide uniformity in regulating inspections. Full Story.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Will housing market go back into hibernation this winter?
BOSTON, MA - Residential builder stocks have heated up recently on encouraging quarterly results and new legislation that expands tax breaks for companies and home buyers. However, the industry is hunkering down for a tough winter that could see an even bigger drop-off in activity than normal due to rising unemployment in the economic recession. Full Story.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
ABC forecasts ’sluggish’ year
WASHINGTON — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) has released its 2010 economic forecast for the commercial and industrial construction industry. “While the industry battled the effects of the recession in 2009, expect 2010 to be a transitional but sluggish year on the road to recovery,” said ABC chief economist Anirban Basu. Full Story.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
B.C. and Ottawa reach wood milestones with China
Shanghai, China's most populous city, has approved a new wood-frame building code, which was called a "major step forward" by provincial and Canadian politicians in growing demand for Canadian wood products in China. “The Shanghai Local Code is the first comprehensive set of guidelines for wood-frame construction ever published in China,” said Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt. Full Story.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
NIOSH funds the DUSTI project
In the construction industry, respiratory disease, often leading to disability or an increased risk of cancer, is a major public health concern. Studies led by Deborah Young-Corbett, a faculty member in Virginia Tech's School of Construction, have shown that specific types of sanding tools are highly effective in reducing the dust that causes these health hazards, yet the industry's usage of the available technology remains very low. Full Story.
Monday, November 9, 2009
ABC Forecasts 2010 Construction Activity Will See Winners and Losers
WASHINGTON - Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today released its 2010 economic forecast for the commercial and industrial construction industry. "While the industry battled the effects of the recession in 2009, expect 2010 to be a transitional but sluggish year on the road to recovery," said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. "Through late 2008, the industry held up well, but 2009 was a year of retrenchment for many construction sectors, including those associated with private development and municipal projects," said Basu. "Overall, the nonresidential construction industry has been impacted by a combination of financing constraints, massive job loss and a lack of confidence in local economies across the nation due to falling tax revenues. Full Story.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Dust control research leads to a NIOSH grant to facilitate adoption of hazard controls
BLACKSBURG, VA – In the construction industry, respiratory disease, often leading to disability or an increased risk of cancer, is a major public health concern. Studies led by Deborah Young-Corbett, a faculty member in Virginia Tech's School of Construction, have shown that specific types of sanding tools are highly effective in reducing the dust that causes these health hazards, yet the industry's usage of the available technology remains very low. To find out why, Young-Corbett conducted follow-up studies with construction firm owners and workers, and identified a number of barriers to the adoption of technology that lead to healthier environments. She said they related to productivity, work quality, and perceptions of benefits and risks. Full Story.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Holland city and township using photography to find building violators
HOLLAND, MI - Inspectors no longer need to trample through your back yard to check for building code violations. Instead, some are comparing aerial photography to determine whether homeowners have added garages, pools and decks without permits. Full Story.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Report Urges Tighter Building Code for South Carolina Beachfront
South Carolina needs to take a tougher stand to keep new beachfront development from moving closer to the ocean, according to a report requested by the state's environmental agency. The report calls for lawmakers to tighten a 1988 law that was intended to slow construction near the beach by saying new houses and hotels should be built farther back, according to a copy obtained by The State of Columbia. Full Story.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Builders start snapping up cheap land
LOS ANGELES, CA — The housing bust left homebuilders with plenty of red ink on their books as they walked away from swaths of land they no longer needed. But now homebuilders are on the hunt again, vying for choice parcels even in foreclosure-riddled markets like Las Vegas, Southern California and Orlando, Fla., where prices are cheap and there are signs of a recovery. Full Story.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Homebuilders hunting for land in Vegas?
LAS VEGAS, NV - The housing bust left homebuilders with plenty of red ink on their books as they walked away from swaths of land they no longer needed. But now homebuilders are on the hunt again, vying for choice parcels even in foreclosure-riddled markets like Las Vegas, Southern California and Orlando, Fla., where prices are cheap and there are early signs of a recovery. Full Story.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Marketplace: Numbers construct a sad story
VANCOUVER, WA - By most measures, $75 million is a lot of money, but in the home-building industry in Clark County, it's a number that sums up just how tough things are. Through October, local builders have been issued 323 permits to build new homes with an estimated total value of $75.1 million. Full Story.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Brainerd: When is a recovery a recovery?
BRAUBERD, MN — In Brainerd, Minn. the unemployment rate catapulted to 21 percent earlier this year -- the highest spike among Minnesota's large cities. If you're familiar with the Brainerd area, you probably know it as a destination for tourists. The scores of nearby lakes are teeming with resorts, each vying for guests. And Twin Citians have flocked here to buy second homes from eager builders and real estate agents. Full Story.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Home building on the rebound
OTTAWA, CANADA - Canadian building permits rose 1.6% in September, the fourth gain in five months, as residential work returned to the level it reached before a recession began last year. The total value of permits issued by municipalities rose to $5.11-billion, Statistics Canada said Thursday in Ottawa. The percentage gain matched the median prediction of 14 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. Full Story.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tax credit extension thrills E.V. homebuilders
PHOENIX, AZ - Area homebuilders received welcome news Wednesday that the federal first-time homebuyer tax credit is being not only extended but expanded to include buyers who already own homes. President Barack Obama is expected to sign into law a bill that extends the $8,000, first-time homebuyer tax credit set to expire Nov. 30. It also creates a tax credit up to $6,500 for buyers who have owned their current homes at least five years. Full Story.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Firm: Texas A&M facility wasn't built to code
DALLAS, TX - Texas A&M University's tentlike athletic complex wasn't built to withstand the maximum winds prescribed by the building code, according to an engineering firm hired by the university to evaluate the $35.6 million structure. The analysis by Haynes Whaley Associates of Houston suggests that the McFerrin Athletic Center was built using a flawed design similar to that linked to the Dallas Cowboys' practice facility, which collapsed in May, injuring a dozen people. Full Story.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Sioux Falls sets remodeling record
SIOUX FALLS, SD - Remodeling continues to be a bright spot for the construction industry even as building permit values in Sioux Falls dwindle. Through October, $31.2 million in residential remodels and additions were permitted in Sioux Falls, the highest amount on record for that period. The previous high was in 2006 with $30.7 million through October, according to Jeff Schmidt, assistant director of planning and building services. Full Story.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Building permits up again in Oct.
Housing prices, interest rates, tax credit all help
ST PAUL, MN - Homebuilders in the Twin Cities filed 53 percent more building permits for residential construction in October than during the same month last year — the second consecutive month of year-over-year increases in the metro, according to numbers released Wednesday. And a greater share of the October permits was for single-family construction. Full Story.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Construction Industry Experiences 5 Stages of Grief
LAS VEGAS, NV - Construction was once thought of as a recession-proof industry. The old adage, if you build it, they will come, is no longer happening in a crippling economy. This has taken a emotional toll on workers and the industry. We've all heard the five stages of grief when it comes to the loss of a loved one -- denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.T hose same emotions are what laid off workers on construction sites are now dealing with. Full Story.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Two Broward schools launch green building program
Building industry professionals can now learn more about LEED and other green building practices in an 18-hour course that prepares them for a green exam.
MIAMI, FL - Designers, engineers and others in the South Florida construction industry are signing up for the Green Ready Certificate Program, an 18-hour course offered at two Broward County technical schools for those who want to learn more about green building practices. The new program prepares students to sit for the Green Associate exam offered by the U.S. Green Building Council and the Green Building Certification Institute. The Green Associate credential denotes basic knowledge in green design, construction and operations for those interested in LEED, an independent and widely recognized rating system for structures with environmentally preferable features. Full Story.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Cranes poised to rise in Boston
Universities, government, health care companies gearing up
BOSTON, MA - Experts think they can hear a faint pulse within the battered commercial real estate and construction industry here and elsewhere. The sector is still clearly in dire trouble as construction sites sit empty, office-building values and rents fall, and foreclosure proceedings loom for some buildings, similar to what happened to Boston’s Hancock Tower and Waltham’s Bay Colony Center, two landmark structures that were recently dumped at bargain-basement prices due to heavy debt loads. Full Story.
Saturday, November 7, 2009>
Solar power comes to northeast Georgia
GAINESVILLE, GA - The rising cost of electricity in the Southeast is changing the landscape of home building and remodeling in northeast Georgia. Justin Green is the co-founder of Southern View Energy in Hall County, a new company that designs and installs solar energy equipment in businesses and homes. Just this week, the company's first residential project became a reality. Green said while the ideal situation for Southern View is to work on new homes, it is certainly possible for the company to retro-fit established homes with solar panels. Full Story.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Good news, bad news for homebuilders
Residential permit numbers show weakness in multifamily construction, strength in single-family
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Local homebuilding activity dipped in October with fewer planned housing units in the pipeline, but some pockets of the metro are showing signs of a strong rebound in single-family construction. The Keystone Report, which tracks permit activity in the 13-county metro area, shows that Twin Cities municipalities issued 368 residential building permits for 445 housing units in October. October 2008 saw 267 permits for 711 housing units. Full Story.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Local construction forecast bleak as Northern Nevada doesn't match small building gain nationwide
RENO, NV - Strong residential activity helped the construction industry eke out a small gain nationwide in September, but local activity continues to paint a grim picture. Overall construction activity rose by 0.8 percent from August, thanks to a 3.9 percent increase in residential construction, according to a report Monday by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Full Story.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Lower construction costs, interest rates may not hold out
FORT WORTH, TX - While the custom homebuilding business continues to sludge through the current residential downturn, local custom builders like Fort Worth’s V Fine Homes President Patrick Towle say their remodeling divisions are seeing a noticeable uptick thanks to lower construction costs and interest rates. But that may not last for much longer according to an analysis just released of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent numbers. Full Story.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Local home building improves in October
The pace of home building improved in the Colorado Springs area last month, while foreclosure filings might be leveling off, two new reports suggest. Good news for the housing market? Not so fast, industry officials say: Full Story.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Deltona hopes to train residents to work in solar industry
DELTONA, FL - With an economy largely based upon a once-booming home-construction industry, the recession has hit Deltona particularly hard. Nearly a quarter of Deltona's men work in the construction industry, so the city has seen its unemployment rate surpass the Florida and national averages. Hoping to soften the blow, the city is chasing between $2 million and $4 million in federal stimulus grants to train people to work in the solar industry. Full Story.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Forum outlines long struggle for builders
TACOMA, WA - The Master Builders Association of Pierce County was wise to host today's housing forum at a street-level meeting place, since the report was largely depressing in its outline for the state of home-building industry and forecast ahead. Otherwise, jumping out an upper-story window might have seemed appealing to builders in the South Sound faced with the construction slump and the tough years likely to come. Full Story.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Upping their green game
Changes to the building code means energy-efficient builders will have to work harder
OTTOWA, ONTARIO, CANADA - Homebuilder Bruce Nicol constructs new houses to a recognizable independent energy efficiency standard known as Energy Star. The company's Findlay Creek Village houses, built in south Ottawa, are 30 to 40 per cent more efficient than those constructed to minimum building code standards. But lower energy costs aren't part of Mr. Nicol's main marketing pitch, even to environmentally conscious consumers. Full Story.
Friday, October 30, 2009
American Homes are One Step Closer to Being Safer from the Devastation of Fire
BALTIMORE, MD - International Building Code hearings result in a vote reaffirming mandatory residential fire sprinklers in new construction. American homes are one step closer to being more fire-safe, following an October 28 vote at the International Code Council (ICC) hearings in Baltimore, Md., that reaffirmed national building codes making it mandatory for all new one- and two- family dwellings to have residential fire sprinklers starting in 2011. Full Story.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Council investigating Qld deck collapse
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA - QUEENSLAND'S building code will be amended to make balconies and decks safer if investigations into two balcony collapses recommended changes, Premier Anna Bligh said. A balcony collapse injured eight people after they fell three metres onto concrete during a wake at Morayfield, north of Brisbane, on Wednesday. The incident came as a coroner is investigating the death of a woman in a balcony collapse at Ascot in Brisbane last November. Full Story.
Friday, October 30, 2009
New flood maps take effect in 2011
Nearly 100 waterfront residents attend FEMA's public hearing
NEWBURYPORT, MA — Waterfront residents have an extra year to comply with changes to expanded flood maps, which federal officials warn will put hundreds more homes in zones that require flood insurance and may have strict building codes. The new federal flood maps will now take effect June 1, 2011, a year later than what was originally announced. Officials have stressed to affected homeowners that they can lock in their flood insurance rate now, before the zones take effect and rates skyrocket. Full Story.
Friday, October 30, 2009
City meeting discusses code issues
ROWLETT, TX - The city of Rowlett has revised building codes concerning accessory structures over the last two years. The revisions are aimed at regulating size and neighborhood compatibility concerns. Unfortunately, some of the revisions have made the process less user-friendly. One of the main problems with the code is the designation of carports. If a carport is attached to a house it is considered an extension of the home, and must meet the primary structure’s building setbacks. Full Story.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Australia's regional governments play important role in climate change
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA - State and territory governments in Australia have an important role to play in solving climate change, Queensland's Premier Anna Bligh said on Thursday. Responsibility for land use, energy and building codes meant state governments work in environmental initiatives was crucial, she noted. "Regional governments, both here in Australia and around the world, have a distinct and important role to play in assisting and adapting the effects of climate change," Bligh told state parliament. Full Story.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Planners urge Cocke County not adopt building code
NEWPORT, TN - Newport-Cocke County's planning commission approved a motion on Tuesday that asks the County Legislative Body (CLB) to "opt out" of implementing new building construction and fire safety codes for construction of all buildings in the county. In order to opt out of having the codes, the CLB must pass a resolution to that effect with a two-thirds majority. If two-thirds don't agree, Cocke County will automatically have the building and fire codes. Full Story.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
U.S. Economy: Consumers, Government Propel Growth
The U.S. economy returned to growth in the third quarter after a yearlong contraction as government incentives spurred consumers to spend more on homes and cars. The world’s largest economy expanded at a 3.5 percent pace from July through September, figures from the Commerce Department showed today in Washington. Household purchases climbed 3.4 percent, the most in two years. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
New Collier ordinance spells out what work does not require permits
Water heater replacement, other work to be exempt
NAPLES, FL - Collier County do-it-yourselfers will no longer have to worry about securing a permit to replace or repair electric water heaters and a dozen other items, if commissioners approve a new building code ordinance, Nov. 10. In September, the board voted 4-1 against a staff recommendation to charge a $75 permit and inspection fee for water heater replacement, directing staff to bring the matter back to the county’s board of building adjustments and appeals, with a directive to seek an exemption, not only for water heaters, but repair or replacement of other items. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Duluth Unveils New Building Code
DULUTH, MN - Wednesday night Duluth City Planners unveiled to the public the second module of their revised city building code. People heard about form based zoning as opposed to use based zoning which is the code the city currently employs. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Ecobuild America educates industry leaders on stimulus opportunities
WASHINGTON, DC — As Congressional policy makers and AEC industry leadership convene to allocate stimulus funds and consider high performance building legislation, thousands of design and construction industry professionals will gather at the Washington Convention Center for Ecobuild America, Dec. 7-10, to learn what they'll need to know. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
PrecisionCraft Log Homes Honored by National Awards Program
MERIDIAN, ID - PrecisionCraft Log Homes & Timber Frame, a Design Build company renowned for its mountain style homes built throughout the United States and world-wide, received national home building awards and accolades in the 2010 BSC Excellence in Home Design Awards program. PrecisionCraft and its renowned design firm, Mountain Architects, walked away with an “Excellence in Home Design” award for a custom, handcrafted log home as well as an Honorable Mention for a home inspired by PrecisionCraft's Laurette Chateau floor plan. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
LENNAR JACKSONVILLE WINS A PRESTIGIOUS AURORA AWARD FOR WILLOWCOVE MODEL
Florida Homebuilder Recognized In Natural Gas Category
JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Jacksonville division of Lennar recently received an Aurora Award at the 2009 Southeast Building Conference for its Victoria model at its Willowcove community in Ponte Vedra, Florida. Full Story.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
St. Louis-area building permits rise again in Sept.
ST LOUIS, MO - New home construction increased for the third month in a row in September, according to figures from a local home builders association, the latest sign that the St. Louis-area real estate market has hit bottom and is slowly rebounding. Permits to build new single-family homes grew 12 percent from the same month last year, the third consecutive month of year-over-year increases reported by the Home Builders Association of Eastern Mo., which tracks building in seven Missouri counties in the St. Louis region. Full Story.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Autodesk Constructware 2010 Offers New Features to Improve Construction Project Management
Enhancements Span Data Accessibility, Reporting, Usability, Flexibility and Administration
SAN RAFAEL, CA - Autodesk, Inc., a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, today announced the release of Autodesk Constructware 2010 project management software. As a premier solution for the construction industry, Autodesk Constructware 2010, is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) application, providing an on-demand environment for construction project management and collaboration. Full Story.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Home building may be on rebound in Orem
OREM, UT - After a two-year housing slump, recent data may indicate that new home construction in Orem is beginning to recover. While building permits for new homes plummeted to an average of three-per-month in 2008, after a nine per month average in 2007 and a 13-per-month average in 2006, the city's numbers from August may signal a change in the trend, according to statistics provided by Orem building safety technician Julia Davis. Full Story.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sky Cottage continues to draw kudos for design
MEMPHIS, TN - Sky Cottage, the ultramodern Harbor Town home for which archimania won a 2009 statewide design award, is still commanding attention. Last month the three-story house became the first custom-built home in Memphis to be certified as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) structure. The designation honors green homebuilding. Full Story.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Estemerwalt Log Homes Honored by National Awards Program
HONESDALE, PA - Honesdale, PA-based log home manufacturer, Estemerwalt Log Homes, received a national home building accolade, capturing the Excellence in Home Design for the Manufacturer's Model/Sales Center and Merchandising in the 2010 Building Systems' Council's Excellence in Home Design and Marketing Awards program. The honor was awarded by the Building Systems Councils (BSC) of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)--a trade association that represents the concrete, log, modular, and panelized building system industries--at their annual awards program October 25th. Full Story.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Builders push for tax credit's return
SAN JOSE, CA - New home building in California continues to take a hit in what builders say is a response to the expiration of a state tax credit for new home purchases. In hopes of reversing that trend, the building industry is pushing for passage of a bill that would bring back the credit. During the first nine months of 2009, the number of construction permits pulled by builders for single-family houses, condos and apartments in the East Bay stood at 1,731, a 40 percent drop from the same time a year ago, according to a report released Monday by the California Building Industry Association. Full Story.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
New building codes to slash energy bills by 50%
ABU DHABI - Abu Dhabi Electricity bills for residents in new buildings in the emirate will be reduced by almost 50 per cent as Abu Dhabi will soon implement the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), officials told Gulf News. The Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) is planning to implement the International (Building) Code (I-code) including the IECC by early next year. The codes restricting excessive energy consumption practices such as the excessive use of glass on the walls of buildings (which triggers more air conditioning) will be applicable to new buildings and in the renovation of existing ones. A large number of residents will be able to enjoy the benefits of the codes because buildings in Abu Dhabi are fully renovated every 15 years on average. Full Story.
Friday, October 23, 2009>
Louisiana Alone in Construction Jobs Gains
Louisiana was the only state in the country where more people were working in the construction industry last month than in September 2008. That's according to a state-by state analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Full Story.
Friday, October 23, 2009>
Construction industry working safer
JACKSON, MS - The likelihood of a construction worker being injured on the job is significantly lower than 10 years ago. According to an analysis of federal safety data released in August, the national construction fatality rate declined 47 percent and recordable safety incidents dropped 38 percent since the federal government switched to a safety oversight approach in 1998. Full Story.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Renaissance Pointe eyes feds’ funds to grow
FORT WAYNE, IN - Homebuilders for the Renaissance Pointe project hope to use a federal program touted as a way to stabilize existing neighborhoods to attract buyers to the largely empty subdivision. Kevin Biggs, owner/president of Ideal Builders, said he plans to participate in the city’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program as a way to reduce the purchase price of new homes in Renaissance Pointe. Full Story.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Groves Park Commons is TN’s First Certified Green Subdivision
Development deemed ‘game changer’ for homebuilding industry.
OAK RIDGE, TN - Groves Park Commons subdivision in Oak Ridge was certified as Tennessee’s first certified Green Subdivision by the National Association of Homebuilders, Research Center during the Parade of Homes last weekend. Only seven other certified Green Subdivisions exist in the United States. “The standard and the certification process provide the home buyer with assurance that this community has been inspected and verified to be authentically green,” said NAHB Green Building Subcommittee Chair Eric Borsting, a builder from Stockton, Calif. “I congratulate the builders and developers of Groves Parks Commons for their leadership in sustainable design and construction.” Full Story.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Group shares its ‘lofty’ transit ideas for Lee County with Bonita council members
NAPLES, FL - Imagine streets lined with storefronts instead of parking lots, and trains that connect Florida Gulf Coast University and the airports. Imagine the next wave of homebuilding centered on electric train stations instead of behind gates. If the group called Reconnecting Lee County has its way, Lee County’s development future lies in urbanization instead of sprawl, including a light rail and rapid bus system to connect some of the county’s most vital services. Full Story.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
25th Annual Build Boston Energizes the Design and Construction Industry
Keynote speakers, creative networking opportunities, a showcase of products and services and professional development
BOSTON - More than 10,000 architects, engineers, contractors, owners/clients, interior designers, landscape architects, and other industry professionals from more than 40 states and a dozen countries will participate in Build Boston (www.BuildBoston.com), the Boston Society of Architects’ annual gathering of the design and construction industry. Now in its 25th year, Build Boston is a regional convention and tradeshow with national recognition, participation, and influence. It takes place November 18-20 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, with the theme “New Economy. New Climate. New Thinking.” Full Story.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Homebuilders Work Toward Much Greener Mentality
MEMPHIS, TN - A Memphis company last week forged an important milestone for the sustainable building movement when the National Association of Home Builders certified the 500th home in the U.S. through the organization’s National Green Building Program. Chamberlain & McCreery Inc. earned that distinction through one of its green homes, bringing NAHB executives to town for the occasion and lending credence to the notion that Memphis builders have green aspirations. Full Story.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Fewer home-building permits signal weakness ahead
Applications for housing permits fall in September, raises worries about weakness ahead
WASHINGTON - Applications for home building permits, a key gauge of future construction, fell in September by the largest amount in five months -- a discouraging sign for the housing industry. A rebound in housing is needed to support a broader economic recovery. Representatives for the industry told a congressional panel Tuesday that the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers needs to be extended and expanded to ensure the housing sector will emerge from the recession. Full Story.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Industry’s Most Powerful Associations Send Letter to Administration Advocating for Extension of Homebuyer Tax Credit
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) along with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) sent a letter to senior Obama Administration officials yesterday requesting their support for a 12-month extension of the first-time homebuyer tax credit. Full Story.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Housing starts, permits seen rising in September
WASHINGTON - New construction of U.S. homes and permits for future building likely rose in September, supported by an improvement in sales and declining stocks of unsold properties, according to a Reuters survey. The poll of 69 economists forecast housing starts rising to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 610,000 units in September from 598,000 units in August. Full Story.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Schneider: Deck insurance snafu builds wariness
DEWITT, MI — When Sheryl Strouse added a small deck to the front of her DeWitt home five years ago, she made sure it complied with all Michigan Building codes. That’s because she wanted to do it right. It also was because, as a member of the DeWitt City Council, she can’t afford to break the rules. Imagine Strouse’s dismay when, earlier this month, her new insurance company, AAA, sent her a “termination notice” because the deck didn’t have a railing. Full Story.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Report Shows Homebuilding Corporations Rebuilding Foundation that Caused Housing Market Crash
Coalition of Homeowners, Workers, Consumer and Economic Advocates Call for Reform of Homebuilding Industry to Avoid another Crisis
Homeowners will join with labor, consumer and economic advocates to call for reform in the homebuilding industry in light of a new report showing corporate homebuilders are continuing the same practices that caused the housing market crash. The report, Nothing Learned? Laying the Foundation for the Next Housing Market Crash, to be released by LIUNA and the Alliance for Homebuyer Justice, reveals new evidence that corporate homebuilders –including the nation’s largest builder, Pulte Homes Inc. – have not changed the deceptive lending, appraisal fraud, predatory culture, overbuilding, encouraging speculators and worker abuses that made them a key player in the housing collapse and resulting economic crisis. Full Story.
Saturday, October 17, 2009>
Local homebuilding down 20% from a year ago
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - New home construction in the Indianapolis area is suffering from the looming Nov. 30 expiration of a federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers. The number of building permits issued for new homes fell to 287 last month, well below the five previous months' numbers. Full Story.
Friday, October 16, 2009>
U.S. construction to see 11 percent rise in 2010: report
The U.S. construction industry should see modest gains in 2010, with the building of single-family houses, apartment buildings, highways and bridges on the rise, offsetting drops in commercial and manufacturing property, the Wall Street Journal said, citing an industry report. Full Story.
Friday, October 16, 2009>
Call for change: Homebuilders press officials to streamline regulations
NORTH HAVEN, CT — At a time when the housing market already is struggling amid an economy trying to emerge from the recession, area homebuilders say they also must contend with a cumbersome and confusing regulatory system that makes saying afloat in Connecticut an even greater challenge. That was a key message builders voiced to several state lawmakers who attended the Home Builders Association of New Haven County’s legislative breakfast Thursday at the Holiday Inn. Full Story.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Stricter building codes, advancements improve safety
MORGAN HILL, CA - In the 20 years since the Loma Prieta earthquake, which crumbled buildings near the coast and collapsed a section of the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, state and local officials and scientists have focused their efforts on improving the understanding of such shakers and the damage they can cause. And while billions of dollars have been spent upgrading bridges and retrofitting sensitive structures, experts say we may never be fully be prepared for the next major quake, which will likely be more destructive than the 1989 event. Full Story.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Fitch Teleconference: U.S. Homebuilders Begin Slow Ascent
NEW YORK - With the bottom in U.S. housing now reached, U.S. homebuilders are beginning the slow climb back to stability, according to Fitch Ratings, which will be hosting a conference call tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. ET. Though the recovery may appear jaw-toothed in nature for the next several months, Fitch has nevertheless raised its forecasts for housing metrics for 2009 and 2010. Full Story.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Fitch: 'Jaw Toothed' Recovery Likely For U.S. Homebuilders
NEW YORK - Recent statistical and anecdotal information points to a bottom for U.S. housing, though early-stage recovery will be more muted than average, according to Fitch Ratings in the latest edition of the 'Chalk Line'. Single family housing starts and new home sales have regularly, if not consistently, been showing improvement in recent months, as have new home inventories, home pricing and consumer and builder sentiment. That being said, 'During the first 12-15 months off the bottom, the housing recovery may appear jaw-toothed as substantial foreclosures now in the pipeline surface as distressed sales, while meaningful new foreclosures arise from Alt-A and option adjustable-rate mortgage resets,' said Managing Director and lead U.S. homebuilding analyst Bob Curran. Full Story.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
California Senate Approves $10,000 Tax Credit for New-Home Buyers
SACRAMENTO, CA - A shattered California home building industry received a boost Wednesday when the state Senate voted to extend a popular $10,000 tax credit that fueled thousands of new-home sales last spring and summer. The Senate voted 35-1 to reauthorize the use of $30 million in credits not awarded during the first program. That should allow the state to give tax credits to about 4,300 more buyers of new unoccupied homes, many of which are in inland areas of California including the Central Valley. Eligible buyers would get a maximum of $3,333 in credits for each of the next three years. Full Story.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Barefoot and Company Inc. Receives Top Honor for Best Practices
CHARLOTTE, NC - Barefoot and Company, Inc., a leading supplier of specialty products in the building industry, was recently awarded the National Housing Quality Award (NHQ) by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Research Center. The NHQ award is given to trade contractors, builders and supply companies in the housing industry with a proven track record of customer satisfaction and continual process improvement in accordance with quality assurance requirements set by the NAHB Research Center. Full Story.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Home Building in D-FW Jumps 32 Percent in Third Quarter
DALLAS, TX - The pace of home building in Dallas-Fort Worth picked up in the third quarter from the previous quarter, but construction is still below last year's level, according to the Dallas-based real estate research firm Residential Strategies. Home builders started construction on 4,194 homes from July to September, a 32 percent increase from the number started from April to June, said the survey, released Wednesday. But that was 790, or nearly 16 percent, fewer homes than in the same quarter a year ago. Full Story.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Austin has best housing market in U.S.
Ranked the healthiest by online industry magazine
AUSTIN, TX - A homebuilding industry online magazine has ranked Austin the nation's healthiest housing market. Builder Online cites low unemployment and high demand as reasons why the Austin market is making a comeback. Home prices in Austin were still going up last year, unlike most of the country, but they have finally started to fall. The latest numbers show home prices down 4.6% in 2009. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
More Building Permits Bode Well for Housing Market
MEMPHIS, TN - For the second straight quarter, homebuilders pulled more permits than the previous period, perhaps signaling the beginning of the end for the housing crisis. Builders started 144 homes during Q3 (July through September), according to the latest data from Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com. That marked a 47.3 percent drop from 273 starts in Q3 2008, but it also marked a slight improvement over 141 permits made during the second quarter of 2009. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A good sign: Valley homebuilders grab vacant lots
FRESNO, CA - In another sign that the local housing market is improving, homebuilders are scrambling to snap up vacant lots. Just 18 months ago, developers were trying to dump lots in a feverish attempt to cope with the worst housing crisis in decades. The last thing they wanted was to get caught with unsold property. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Loma Prieta indirectly spurs stricter building codes
Hospitals and schools are now built to withstand earthquakes
Twenty years ago, earthquake experts were already anticipating The Big One and pushing for stricter building requirements to help structures — and people — survive it. When the 6.9-magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake shook Northern California in October 1989, those efforts found themselves on a faster track, said Wisam Nader, a structural engineer with Gerald A. Graebe & Associates Inc. in Salinas. The efforts to improve building codes were spurred further by the Northridge temblor in 1994. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Capital to adopt American building code
ABU DHABI - The Abu Dhabi International Building Code, which will be implemented in early 2010 on new buildings, will see a shift to the American system from the current British codes, said a senior official from Ramboll Middle East, an engineering firm. "We are working with US-based SK Ghosh Associates, who have been appointed by the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) in Abu Dhabi to finalise the details of the new codes. It will initially focus on new buildings," said Peyman Mohajer, Managing Director at Ramboll. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
County taking over code enforcement duties in new home construction
WACO, TX - The McLennan County Commissioners Court approved a resolution Tuesday that makes it the county’s responsibility to ensure that new homes meet local building code standards, a duty formerly managed by a state agency. The commissioners approved the resolution adopting H.B. 2833, a bill passed by the Texas Legislature allowing counties to police whether new homes constructed in unincorporated county areas are built to code and properly inspected. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
New statewide building code aims to save energy
NASHVILLE, TN — Tennesseans consume the second-most energy per home in the country. But a statewide residential building code aims to change that. The code that goes into effect on July 1 of next year would set home-building standards in the state’s counties and cities that currently have none. The Tennessean reports the U.S. Department of Energy estimates homes built in areas without building codes consume 30 percent to 50 percent more energy than those built in areas with codes. Full Story.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Building codes meeting draws large crowd
GALESBURG, IL — The Knox County Board voted at a special meeting Monday to put proposed building, plumbing and electrical codes on display at the county courthouse for a period of 30 days. The board will vote in November on whether the codes should be introduced. County Board Chairman Greg Bacon said a vote to enforce the codes at the board’s September meeting had caused some misunderstanding. Full Story.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Home-building activity increases in Chandler
CHANDLER, AZ - Residential construction is on the rise again in Chandler, but the focus is on detached homes, not apartments or condominiums. The city logged more completed houses in September than in any other month over the past year. That brings the total to 94,674 housing units within municipal boundaries. A single-family home is counted as one housing unit; an apartment or condominium in a larger complex also is counted as one unit. Full Story.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Rainwater Collection OK Without Permit, State Says
OLYMPIA, WA - Washington Ecology Director Jay Manning has signed a policy statement that says residents can collect and store rainwater for use on their property without a water-rights permit. The new policy, signed Friday, clarifies how rainwater collection should be handled under state law. The decision is important to homebuilders and others who want to include rooftop or other water collection systems in their construction. Full Story.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Frank McLawhorn Construction wins STAR Award
CHARLOTTE, NC - Frank McLawhorn Construction was among 54 recipients of the annual North Carolina Home Builders Associations (NCHBA) STAR Award, an awards program that honors the achievements of home building industry professionals. Full Story.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Building on its way up?
ROCHESTER, MN - Rochester enjoyed a mild uptick in single-family home building permits in September, continuing a trend that raises hope that the market has hit bottom and is coming back. There were 33 building permits issued in September, up from 28 in 2008. Full Story.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Voros: Our future builders sitting on sidelines
OAKLAND, CA - The slowdown or even the shutdown in the home construction industry is building something to a head, and it doesn't require nails. As we begin to mark this residential construction ice age in years rather than months, an unfortunate dynamic is developing. Our future builders are not only missing valuable experience, but the idea of construction as a career to our young people is quickly fading from the landscape of options they consider. Full Story.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Firm streamlines costs for builders
cINCINNATI, OH - It sounds like an oxymoron in this recession: a successful company catering to the battered construction industry. But for fast-growing iSqFt in Blue Ash, the description is apt. "What you typically see in the construction industry historically is that when times are tough, contractors did not invest in technology," says Dave Conway, the company's founder, president and chief executive officer. "What we're seeing in this recent downturn is that contractors are looking to invest in technology to improve their effectiveness at a lower cost." Full Story.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Modular homes: Businessman wants to reframe buyers' thinking on construction
Developer tries to reframe consumers' perception of modular construction
CHICAGO, IL - It's hard to not be spellbound by the sight of half of a new house slowly swinging across the street and gently coming to rest on a precast concrete foundation. Raise the roof line, join the two sections, add a decorative facade, tidy up the entrance and it's almost ready for occupancy, right down to the sparkling bathroom mirrors and kitchen appliances. Full Story.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Hammers at the ready
National and local home builders see encouraging signs that money is available and customers are looking to buy
BALTIMORE, MD - Homebuilders who just a year ago were mired in financial woes, putting projects on hold or drowning in inventory are inching back into Maryland's new-home market. Though sales of new single-family homes in the U.S. have shown solid gains over the summer and supply has decreased, builders say today's market is a far cry from the boom years. Credit for builders to buy land and put up homes remains in short supply. And rising unemployment and mortgage troubles are holding back consumers. Still, builders are positioning themselves for growth, expecting an upswing in demand by next year and fearing being left behind. Full Story.
Saturday, October 3, 2009>
Everblue Awarded Portfolio Provider Status by U.S. Green Building Council
HUNTERSVILLE, NC - Everblue Training Institute, the leading provider of LEED certification (http://www.everblueenergy.com/leed-certification.html) training, has been designated by the USGBC as a portfolio provider. One of the first in the nation to earn such status, Everblue has been approved by the USGBC to offer continuing education and professional development courses to green building professionals. Full Story.
Saturday, October 3, 2009>
Wanted: Environmentally friendly homes for New Kent show
RICHMOND, VA - The Home Building Association of Richmond and East West Partners are looking for 10 builders interested in constructing environmentally friendly houses in Patriots Landing in New Kent County. The houses will be built as part of a Single-Site Home Show to display the latest trends in construction in one place and at one time. Full Story.
Friday, October 2, 2009>
McGraw-Hill Construction to Release 2010 Outlook Report, October 15-16 in Washington, DC
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Federal Highway Administration's Shailen Bhatt Among Keynotes
NEW YORK - What's next for the construction industry? At McGraw-Hill Construction's Outlook 2010 Executive Conference, media representatives, economists and industry leaders will get a first look at the highly anticipated 2010 Construction Outlook Report. Authored by Robert Murray, vice president of economic affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction, the report details the construction forecast for the year ahead. Full Story.
Friday, October 2, 2009>
Central Arkansas construction sees upswing
LITTLE ROCK, AR - After a sharp decline in the last six months of 2008, construction values in Central Arkansas may be rebounding, according to data compiled by Metroplan. North Little Rock’s residential permits haven’t rebounded, although commercial permits rose from slightly more than $18 million in 2008’s second quarter to $23.9 million in this year’s first quarter. Full Story.
Friday, October 2, 2009>
Twin Cities homebuilders encouraged by Sept. numbers
MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL, MN - September homebuilding activity in the Twin Cities was steady compared with year-ago figures, according to the latest permit numbers from the Keystone Report. Full Story.
Friday, October 2, 2009>
County to enforce building standards
EL PASO, TX - New residential construction in unincorporated areas of El Paso County will soon be subject to building code standards that will be monitored and enforced by county government. State Rep. Marisa Márquez and state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, both Democrats from El Paso, worked together to pass a bill that helps regulate construction of homes in colonias throughout Texas. The legislation took effect a month ago, but builders do not have to follow the new regulations until county commissioners adopt an order that will make the provisions a local requirement. Full Story.
Friday, October 2, 2009>
Hays enforcing building codes
SAN MARCOS, TX - Building codes in unincorporated areas of Hays County just got a lot tougher. Effective Oct. 1, all new residential construction and certain home additions must be built to conform to either the May 1, 2008, version of the International Residential Code or the version of the International Residential Code used by the city of San Marcos at the time construction begins. Full Story.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
South Florida construction jobs continue to disappear
MIAMI, FL - As the real estate market limps though another year, South Florida's construction industry continues to hemorrhage jobs. As of August, the sector had shed another 15,100 jobs compared to a year ago, according to a report released Wednesday by the Associated General Contractors of America. In the Miami metropolitan area, construction-related jobs were down 14 percent versus last year. The greater Fort Lauderdale area saw a steeper dip of 17 percent. Full Story.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Contractors plan to boost construction
SPARKS, NV - The unlikely combination of construction materials and tumbleweeds served as the backdrop for a national contractors' group Wednesday in Sparks as it called for a wide range of measures to give the struggling construction industry a much-needed boost. Full Story.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
August pending home sales rise to 2 1/2 year high
WASHINGTON - Aspiring homebuyers rushed to take advantage of a tax credit for first-time owners that expires in November, driving up the number of signed sales contracts for the seventh straight month in August. Construction spending also rose unexpectedly in August on the biggest jump in housing activity in nearly 16 years, another sign the real estate market is recovering from its four-year slump, data Thursday showed. Full Story.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
MetLife Home Loans’ Raleigh Branch Joins Stanton Homes® for Heroes to Offer New Discount for Military and Veteran homebuyers
RALEIGH, NC - Stanton Homes announces that leading home lender MetLife Home Loans has agreed to participate in the “Stanton Homes® for Heroes” program, working to provide even more home building value for people who have served in the U.S. military. “As a member of the MetLife family, MetLife Home Loans is a name you know and trust,” said Stan Williams, CEO of Stanton Homes. Full Story.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Pace of home building unchanged in September from a year ago
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The pace of home building remained steady, although not spectacular, last month in the Pikes Peak region, while foreclosure filings continued on a record pace, a pair of reports showed Thursday. Single-family home building permits in Colorado Springs and surrounding El Paso County totaled 97 in September, unchanged from the same month a year ago, according to a Pikes Peak Regional Building Department report. Full Story.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
New green building regulations approved
SANTA CRUZ, CA - The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a set of rules that will require home building and remodeling projects in unincorporated parts of the county to abide by a set of green building regulations. The rules, which take effect Jan. 4, will apply to most new homes. They will also apply to smaller-scale remodels and additions, which make up about 85 percent of the building permits the county processes. Full Story.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Construction spending in the U.S. unexpectedly jumped in August
Spending on U.S. construction projects unexpectedly jumped in August, led by the biggest gain in homebuilding in almost 16 years. The 0.8 percent increase was the largest since September 2008, and followed a 1.1 percent drop the prior month that was worse than previously reported, the Commerce Department said Thursday in Washington. Low borrowing costs, foreclosure-driven price declines, and the government’s $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers are stabilizing home sales, while stimulus-related spending will spur building of infrastructure such as roads and bridges. Full Story.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Debate builds over new county codes
Board member adamantly opposed, says they impinge on freedom
GALESBURG, IL — The introduction of building codes will force Knox County homeowners to get a permit to change a light-bulb fitting, according to County Board member Lowell Mannhardt, R-District 4. The Knox County Board approved the implementation of building codes Wednesday, but Mannhardt said the codes will mean more red tape and unnecessary spending. Full Story.
Next Page --->
|
|
|
|
