Wed.Sep 04, 2024

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How Attainable Is Homeownership for First-Time Buyers?

The Pro Builder

Buying a home in the current market is challenging, but especially for first-time buyers as they typically have lower incomes and less established credit compared with repeat buyers. According to personal finance company NerdWallet’s First-Time Homebuyer Affordability Report for Q2 2024, the housing payments on a typically priced home would consume nearly half of the median gross monthly income for first-time buyers.

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Don’t use AI to boil the ocean: McCarthy tech lead

Construction Dive

A senior VDC manager for the builder, alongside other experts, spoke at a recent BuiltWorlds panel on how to adequately evaluate artificial intelligence.

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Trends Survey Reveals 4 Residential Design Trends Driven by Rising Costs

The Pro Builder

Higher costs are having an effect on the design of production homes. New research indicates where the pinch points are most intense.

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Last dam in historic removal project comes down

Construction Dive

The $450 million effort led by Kiewit involves dismantling four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River in Oregon and California to restore salmon migration.

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How Top Firms Protect Margins in Costly Construction Markets

Construction companies face shifting labor markets, volatile material pricing, and global supply chain disruptions that threaten profitability. This guide details how industry leaders are replacing outdated budgeting with incremental funding, adopting regional procurement, and using digital tools for real-time financial oversight. Learn how to deploy workforce agility, connected jobsite monitoring, automated procurement, and cost simulation models to preserve margin stability.

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ASTM STANDARD UPDATED FOR POLYPROPYLENE PRESSURE PIPING SYSTEMS

Civil + Structural Engineer

Pressure and Chlorine Ratings Revised IRVING, Texas – Recent revisions led by the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) Building & ConstructionDivision resulted in improvements to the latest edition of the ASTM Standard, F2389 Standard Specification for Pressure-Rated Polypropylene (PP) Piping Systems, whichestablishes requirements for polypropylene (PP-R and PP-RCT) piping system components including pipe, fittings, valves, and manifolds.

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Southeastern Home Builders Find Opportunities Despite Ongoing Challenges

The Pro Builder

Amid a nationwide slowdown in the housing market, the Southeastern region of the U.S. is showing some resilience. According to a recent survey from John Burns Research and Consulting, Southeastern builders and developers are navigating a shifting landscape filled with both challenges and opportunities. Nationally, the housing market has experienced a sharp drop in sales, but the Southeast saw a smaller 7% decline in net sales from June to July 2024.

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PCL nabs California wastewater facility rehab

Construction Dive

The contractor will rehabilitate and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant in San Diego under a progressive design-build contract.

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You Can’t Control the Weather, but You Can Control Your Build

The Pro Builder

CertainTeed ONE PRECISION ASSEMBLIES™ (OPA™) panels are built to spec in factories, where weather isn't an issue. Plus, their compact design streamlines logistics. Each OPA panel is code-compliant, insulated, and weather-tight, then delivered and assembled on-site for homes built in days.

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Grenfell conclusions: systematic dishonesty and widespread incompetence

The Construction Index

The final report of the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire has concluded that the product suppliers were greedy liars and everyone else involved was just incompetent.

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The Constructor's Digital Transformation Playbook: Reducing Risk With Technology

Speaker: Dylan Secrest

Construction projects are high-stakes operations where even minor inefficiencies can lead to costly delays, safety concerns, and budget overruns. Managing risk in construction has always been a challenge, but as projects grow in complexity, traditional methods no longer cut it. Enter Digital Transformation - a game changer approach that replaces inefficiency with AI-powered analytics, real-time monitoring, and automated workflows to proactively manage risk.

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‘Dishonest’: The verdict on Grenfell’s cladding manufacturers

Construction News

Manufacturer Kingspan’s dishonest marketing created a “spurious” market for polymer-based insulation for use on high-rise buildings, according to the Grenfell Inquiry phase 2 report. Some of the harshest words in the report were aimed at the cladding manufacturers – Kingspan, Celotex and Arconic – whose… The post ‘Dishonest’: The verdict on Grenfell’s cladding manufacturers appeared first on Construction News.

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Grenfell report recommends nationalising product certification

The Construction Index

All building products used in the UK should require a government stamp of approval, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry has recommended.

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‘Serious and longstanding failures’: The role of government and regulators in Grenfell fire

Construction News

Failures at the top of government and among regulators allowed dangerous new forms of cladding onto the market, according to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry's second phase report. The report, published today (4 September) said that there were “serious and longstanding” failings at the highest level… The post ‘Serious and longstanding failures’: The role of government and regulators in Grenfell fire appeared first on Construction News.

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Safety after Grenfell: It's up to you now

The Construction Index

Can the culture of the construction industry be changed?

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How AI Reduces Cost, Safety, and Quality Risks in Construction Projects

Risk management in construction faces pressure from tighter margins, compressed timelines, and increasing complexity. This guide shows how AI strengthens project stability by predicting risks across cost, schedule, safety, supply chains, and workforce planning. AI algorithms analyze procurement data, subcontractor bids, equipment performance, and site conditions to identify potential disruptions.

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Grenfell disaster: ‘culmination of decades of failure by government and construction industry’

New Civil Engineer

The fatal Grenfell Tower fire of 2017 was “the culmination of decades of failure by central government and other bodies in positions of responsibility in the construction industry”, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry has concluded. The post Grenfell disaster: ‘culmination of decades of failure by government and construction industry’ appeared first on New Civil Engineer.

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Grenfell report: manufacturers respond

The Construction Index

Arconic, Celotex and Kingspan have issued statements Read Full Article: The Construction Index

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Best Career Options for Academically Weak Civil Engineering Graduates in India

Construction Placements

Best Career Options for Academically Weak Civil Engineering Graduates in India Academically weak civil engineering graduates can still build successful careers by focusing on practical skills, tech-driven roles, non-core opportunities, and certifications. Grades are not the only path to success—explore various career paths in construction, technology, real estate, and entrepreneurship.

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Barratt sees profits tumble

The Construction Index

House-builder Barratt Developments plc saw its pre-tax profit fall 76% last year.

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Avoiding Lease Accounting Pitfalls in 2025: Lessons Learned from Spreadsheet Errors

Speaker: Abdi Ali, Sr. Lease Accounting Consultant

Join this insightful webinar with industry expert Abdi Ali, who will discuss the challenges that can arise from managing lease accounting with spreadsheets! He will share real-world examples of errors, compliance issues, and risks that may be present within your spreadsheets. Learn how these tools, while useful, can sometimes lead to inefficiencies that affect your time, resources, and peace of mind.

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Historic landmark to be converted to cybersecurity hub

Construction Specifier

A new headquarters for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will be in the historical St. Elizabeths West Campus. Image courtesy U.S. General Services Administration A new headquarters for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will be in the historical St.

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Market slowdown continues for builders’ merchants

The Construction Index

With the housing market remaining in the doldrums, there is little sign of growth in demand for building materials.

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£14M refurbishment of A13 River Lea Crossing in London commences

New Civil Engineer

VolkerFitzpatrick is carrying out £14M of refurbishment works on the A13 River Lea Crossing, supporting Transport for London’s programme to make a safer road network in the city. The post £14M refurbishment of A13 River Lea Crossing in London commences appeared first on New Civil Engineer.

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Grenfell: no charges before end of 2026

The Construction Index

The Met Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have restated that there must still be a long wait for prosecutions to be brought in relation to the Grenfell Tower fire.

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How CMiC Helps Construction Teams Stay Ahead of Project Risk

CONSTRUCT™ by CMiC delivers structured project management built for the realities of construction. It brings together RFIs, submittals, drawings, and punch lists in a connected environment that prevents gaps in communication and documentation. Risk is managed in real-time with issue tracking, automated compliance checks, and daily journals that surface hidden patterns.

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Green light for construction of £21.9M flood relief scheme in western Ireland

New Civil Engineer

A contractor is being sought to commence construction of a €26M (£21.9M) flood relief scheme (FRS) in Limerick, Republic of Ireland. The post Green light for construction of £21.9M flood relief scheme in western Ireland appeared first on New Civil Engineer.

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Grenfell report exposes BRE post-privatisation failings

The Construction Index

Few organisations receive more damnation in the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry that the Building Research Establishment.

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Installation of prefabricated 129m active travel bridge for Levenmouth Rail Link begins

New Civil Engineer

Network Rail has begun its installation of an active travel bridge over the River Leven and recently completed £116M Levenmouth Rail Link. The post Installation of prefabricated 129m active travel bridge for Levenmouth Rail Link begins appeared first on New Civil Engineer.

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New Essex director for Morgan Sindall

The Construction Index

Morgan Sindall Construction has appointed Ryan Liversage as the new area director of its Essex business.

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Every Contractor Needs An Effective Website - Unlock the Key to Increased Leads

Grow Leads & Visibility! Contractors need more than word-of-mouth. A strong website boosts visibility, draws in leads, showcases skills, and enhances your credibility. Learn how a quality site, that is easy to manage, can set you apart from the competition, and help can take your construction business to the next level. Marketpath is a leading provider of high-quality website solutions tailored for contractors and the construction industry.

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Why the UK Construction Industry Needs Immigration Reform Now

Construction Today

The UK construction industry is facing a crisis. With labor shortages reaching critical levels and the post-Brexit immigration system restricting access to foreign workers, the sector is grappling with challenges that threaten its growth and sustainability. Construction projects are delayed, costs are soaring, and the skills gap is widening—all while the demand for new infrastructure and housing… Source The post Why the UK Construction Industry Needs Immigration Reform Now appea

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Robertson picked for Grainger Market revamp

The Construction Index

Newcastle City Council has appointed Robertson Construction Group as management contractor for the £9m restoration of Grainger Market.

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A Simple Business Idea for Engineers: Starting an MEP Service Business in 2024

Construction Placements

A Simple Business Idea for Engineers: Starting an MEP Service Business in 2024 Discover how engineers can launch a profitable MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) services business in 2024. This post provides a step-by-step guide, covering market demand, pricing strategies, and future growth opportunities for professionals looking to enter this thriving industry.