For Construction Pros

Sustainability: Have You Ever Wondered How You Compare With Other Contractors?

By Tara Ninmann - Wednesday October 31, 2012

How far are you on the sustainability journey? Are you just starting out? Do you have practices in place? If so, maybe you’re on the leading-edge of sustainability. Maybe you just want to know how you compare with other contractors? No matter how far along you are with your sustainability efforts, take this easy, 11-point Contractor Sustainability Self-Assessment to evaluate your organization’s sustainability construction practices and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profit. Here at Sustainable Construction we wanted to offer you an assessment tool to help you move along the sustainability continuum with the ultimate results being decreased costs, reduced environmental footprint and increased success...

Do You Conduct Background Checks? Should You?

By Allan Heydorn - Thursday October 25, 2012

It's not unusual for a business to ask prospective employees if they have a criminal record, but a recent warning by the Equal Employment opportunities Commission (EEOC) says businesses should reconsider that practice. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, the EEOC says checking criminal histories can open the company to a charge of discrimination. The warning follows an April announcement that employers cannot deny applicants a job only because they have a criminal past -- but the EEOC did not ban criminal background checks. The EEOC said the best way for employers to approach the issue of a prospect's criminal background is to take into account: * How long ago the crime was committed * What type of crime it was * How...

How to Use Social Media To Build Your Construction Company's Brand

By Kimberly Hegeman - Wednesday October 24, 2012

This blog post was written exclusively for ForConstructionPros by equipment leasing company Balboa Capital. Every construction company, regardless of its size, has a brand identity. And the vast majority of construction companies attempt to grow their brands through various marketing-related efforts. These include print advertisements, press releases, special promotions and trade shows, to name a few. While these strategies can prove to be successful, there is one that simply can’t be overlooked in today’s business world: Social media. Social media helps build brands by creating a 24/7/365 interactive experience between companies and consumers. Social media, along with your website, helps your intended audience learn about your...

Look to Commercial Properties in 2013

By Allan Heydorn - Thursday October 18, 2012

For a variety of reasons commercial properties, especially smaller commercial properties, should warrant extra attention as 2013 begins. That's because it appears that the commercial property industry is undergoing a transformation where they might need the assistance of pavement maintenance professionals. A number of Wall Street Journal articles point to a shift in commercial properties, especially in how they are handling themselves. In August, for example, The Journal pointed out that many struggling shopping malls are "finding salvation" by downsizing. This is happening in a number of ways but one way is that smaller real estate companies are buying large, declining properties for a song and then trying to right them. One...

Where's Your Next Job Coming From? How about New Residential Construction?

By Allan Heydorn - Thursday October 18, 2012

When was the last time you read or thought about pursuing that market? Most contractors are in a year-end sprint, firming up last-minute bids, getting in as many end-of-season jobs as they can before the weather becomes too much of a problem. But as the season winds down we're all looking toward 2013 to see where new work might be available. And recent economic reports are showing there's some signs of life out there in places that have been virtually dead for years. One of the most significant reports is what The Wall Street Journal terms a "surge" in home building. On Oct. 18 The Journal reported residential housing "picked up momentum" in September and is now running at its highest level in four years. The Journal reported...

Caterpillar Shares the Basis of Its Social Media Success

By Becky Schultz - Wednesday October 17, 2012

Developing a social media strategy can seem pretty daunting even for a small to mid-size business. Now imagine managing it for a $60 billion company with 125,000 employees and hundreds of manufacturing and dealer locations across the globe. Brian Stokoe, social media strategist for Caterpillar Inc. , seems up to the task. Stokoe spoke this morning to a large group of attendees at the Social Media Breakfast of Madison, an ongoing lecture program organized by a group of social media enthusiasts from businesses in and around Madison, WI. This particular breakfast sold out in a couple of hours, and was attended primarily by representatives from manufacturers and other companies seeking to learn from the construction equipment giant's...

Website Lets Businesses Review Customers

By Kimberly Hegeman - Wednesday October 17, 2012

Reviews are all over the Internet. Sites like Angie's List have been created just for reviews, and more are popping up all the time. As a construction contractor (and a business owner) your business is always being reviewed, and those views are being passed on whether it's over the Internet or through word of mouth. One website is turning the tables. NastyClient.com is a website designed for small business owners and allows businesses to review their customers. Started two years ago by Matt Stachel, the site was created as a resource to empower small businesses. Stachel says he hopes NastyClient.com can help change consumer's mentality when it comes to taking advantage of contractors and small businesses. On the website...

8 Steps to Prevent Construction Site Theft

By Kimberly Hegeman - Wednesday October 10, 2012

Construction equipment and material theft is big business, and it's growing. Estimates say that theft and vandalism account for $1 billion a year in losses and other costs to builders, a number that steadily rose 10 percent since 1996 and is expected to continue growing. Construction jobsite theft losses are more than just the costs of losing expensive equipment and materials. Contracts have to pay to replace or rent equipment to finish the job. There's also the costs of downtime and project overruns if the missing equipment and materials delay a project. Plus, insurance premiums may increase. According to LoJack's 12th annual Construction Equipment Theft Study , construction sites can be easy targets because: Most job sites have...

Is Mobile Technology Becoming a Foundation of Construction?

By Kimberly Hegeman - Friday October 5, 2012

Is mobile technology becoming a foundation in the construction industry? Paul Bedard, director of Global Enterprise Data Solutions for Verizon Wireless, thinks so. In a recent blog, Bedard shared his thoughts on the benefits of mobile technology as well as tips for contractors on how to choose and employ these technologies. Here are some of the highlights from Bedard's blogs. Asset tracking and management Mobile technology is more than just a smartphone or tablet with apps. Wireless technology can be incorporated into equipment and other assets to monitor use as well as track in case the assets are stolen. The benefit? Contractors can save money on maintenance and reduce the loss of valuable equipment. Increased communication...

Companies Can Receive Tax Credits When They Hire Out-of-Work Veterans

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Thursday October 4, 2012

Late last year, President Obama signed into law the VOW To Hire Heroes Act of 2011 , which expanded and amended the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). In part, it provides tax credits for businesses when they hire unemployed military veterans. Business owners still have a few months to take advantage of tax savings. These are the hiring requirements and tax credit levels companies can receive: $2,400 credit for veterans who are unemployed for more than 4 weeks, but less than 6 months $5,600 credit for hiring veterans who have been looking for a job for more than six months $9,600 credit for hiring veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been looking for a job for more than six months These credits are available...