For Construction Pros

Where do you find used equipment?

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Monday November 12, 2007

A call recently came into Concrete Contractor from a reader looking for suggestions on places to find used equipment, specifically walk-behind concrete saws. I offered a few websites and other resources that might be of help, but don't have any practical experience in used construction equipment buying.Â So if you've had success in buying used equipment online, through a localÂ auction, or by other means, please comment to this post and share your experiences or suggestions.

Technology improves jobsite efficiency

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Wednesday November 7, 2007

In today's competitive construction market, where customers are demanding high quality and contractors are struggling to balance tight profit margins and a lack of qualified labor, the magic equation for keeping a business successful is increased productivity with the same amount or less labor. When contractors can figure out how to do this, they'll see their job costs decrease and their profits rise. This week I had an inside look at how many contractors across the construction industry are finding results in this equation when I attended the Trimble Dimensions conference in Las Vegas. I enjoyed several seminars explaining how technology can improve jobsite productivity, and I want to share some of the ideas I learned in a seminar...

Business planning in today's economy

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Wednesday October 31, 2007

This week saw a lot of news about economic predictions for the future. NPR ran a piece on the on the possibility of recession, with comments from the Wall Street Journal's David Wessell. On the construction front, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) offered itsÂ Fall Economic Outlook, in which chief economist Ed Sullivan predicted cement consumption declines of 6.9 percent for 2007 and 2.5 for 2008. Sullivan's outlook does not predict aÂ recession, however he does suggest concrete contractors take "an extra dose of conservatism in strategic planning for 2008." Concrete Contractor's "Business 101" columnist Brad Humphrey, president of construction management consulting firm Pinnacle Development Group, offers a few tips to...

The importance of routine maintenance

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Friday October 19, 2007

A well maintainedÂ equipment fleetÂ contributes toÂ safety and efficiency on the jobsite. Well maintained equipment will also last longer, saving you money in equipment repairs and allowing you to receiveÂ the best resale value onÂ a machine if youÂ should decide to sell it or trade it in.Â Â ForConstructionPros.com offers a wide range of articles on equipment maintenance, including power trowels,Â work trucks, compact track loaders, tires, skid steers, and more.

Would you let your customers choose a price?

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Thursday October 11, 2007

Let's say you just finished a stamped residential driveway for a client, or maybeÂ a backyard patio slab. The job is over, everyone is happy, and the homeowner turns to you and says, "What do I owe you?" Then you say, "I don't know, you tell me. Pay me what you think this job is worth." Crazy! That's certainly not something that would happen in the concrete industry, or many industries for that matter. People need to eat and buy shoes!Â But recently, music group Radiohead released its latest CD online and is allowing fans to download the entire album for whatever they think it's worth. I think it's important to know what your clients are willing to pay for work in you market, but not necessarily what they WANT to pay. Don't take...

Contractors turn to commercial work

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Tuesday October 9, 2007

Data recently released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nonresidential constructionÂ continues toÂ boost the U.S. economy amid the residential downturn. Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), estimates that about 400,000 specialty contractors formerly working in residential have shifted into the nonresidential arena. Many of the concrete contractors I've talked to in recent months say they'veÂ had to shift to moreÂ commercial work to keep their crews busy. There are challenges in taking onÂ more commerical work, especiallyÂ if your company is set up forÂ mainly residential work. Whether you're performing traditional concrete work or decorative work, you'll...

Stay informed of "no match" letter requirements

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Friday September 28, 2007

Part of the Bush Administration'sÂ attempts to control illegal immigration is an initiative that requires an employer to investigate the legal status of employees who have triggered a "no match" notice. No matchletters areÂ generated when aÂ name and social security number reported on a W2 form do not match with government records; these letters are sent to employers when a certain percentage of their employees trigger a no match notice. The government's recent set of requirements for employers receiving no match letters is being challenged in federal court. To learn more about this issue read or listen to this story at NPR's Marketplace, or check out the American Subcontractors Assocition website which has general information...

Spread the word about pervious concrete

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Wednesday September 19, 2007

Every once in a while you read about a ridiculous study that makes you wonder why on Earth someone would want to/need to know that information. I just ran across one of those studies today. But after thinking about it a little bit I realized how this information impacts my Concrete Contractor readers. The recent study found that Tippecanoe County in Indiana has a total of 355,000 parking spacesÂ for 155,000 county residents.Â An article about the study goes on to say that parking lots contribute to pollution in our lakes and rivers and also increase urban heating. The article, however, offers essentially no suggestion for combating stormwater runoff pollution or the heat island effect. Concrete contractors hold the perfect solution...

A note on health care

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Monday September 17, 2007

Rising health care costsÂ are on the minds of small business owners all over the country. It seems a nebulous problem, and proposed changes in the political worldÂ have only brought questions and contention. The city of San Francisco has tired of waiting for the state of CaliforniaÂ andÂ the federal government to step up andÂ make changes so it has taken matters into its own hands by creating Healthy San Francisco, a program that ensures health care for all the city's uninsured residents. I realize this program isn't going to do much for the concrete contractors reading this blog who face the challenge of keeping employee health insurance costs from irreparably damaging their bottom lines, but I think it's a program to keep...

A $29 million facelift

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Wednesday September 12, 2007

One of the world's most interesting and famous concrete structures is currentlyÂ undergoing a $29 million repair effort. Concrete repair contractors are currently focusing on numerous cracks in the facade of New York City'sÂ Guggenheim Museum. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the concrete structure hasÂ experiencedÂ cracks in its facade since opening in 1959. Be sure to check out the multimedia graphicÂ thatÂ shows each crack in the building.