AGC

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 19, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Prices for materials used in construction and for nonresidential building construction both increased more than overall prices for “final demand” in January, according to a new analysis of retooled federal data on producer prices released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. As a result, margins remain very tight for most construction firms even as private-sector demand for construction continues to grow

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 12, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Construction Industry Safety Coalition, which represents twenty-five different construction trade associations, issued the following statement today as it filed comments regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed Crystalline Silica Rulemaking:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 10, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment jumped by the largest monthly amount in nearly seven years in January, bringing industry employment to the highest level since July 2009, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that, at the current rate of growth, it would not take long before many firms begin having difficulty finding enough skilled workers to meet demand

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment expanded in 192 metro areas, declined in 84 and was stagnant in 63 between December 2012 and December 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that even with so many metro areas adding jobs for the year, only 20 metro areas topped previous construction employment peaks for the month.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 29, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction firms added jobs in 34 states over the past 12 months, but construction employment declined in 32 states and the District of Columbia between November and December as many parts of the country coped with weather, according to an analysis released today by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials noted that while weather in parts of the country likely contributed to many of the declines, they urged Washington officials to take steps to ensure continued growth for the industry and the economy.

WASHINGTON - January 27, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the ConsensusDocs Coalition is publishing a new Construction Management Agency standard agreement. The ConsensusDocs 830 Agreement Between Owner and Construction Manager (CM Provides General Conditions) and related exhibits will replace the current ConsensusDocs 801 Construction Management Agreement.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 21, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Many firms plan to start hiring again and most contractors predict demand will either grow or remain stable in virtually every market segment this year according to survey results released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The survey, conducted as part of Optimism Returns: The 2014 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook, provides a generally upbeat outlook for the year even as firms worry about growing worker shortages, rising costs and the impact of new regulations and federal budget cutting.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 14, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the ConsensusDocs coalition announced important updates to the standard arbitration provisions in their agreements. Twenty-one revised contracts have been published. Revisions reflect the applicable statute of limitations from state law and how it should apply to arbitration. Currently, there is a split in some state laws interpreting this issue. The revised language also now contains a “savings clause” in case it is unclear whether a claim must go through arbitration or the courts

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 7, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it plans to survey general contractors regarding their recent renovation, repair and painting (RRP) activities in public- and private-sector commercial buildings. EPA has asked for public comment by Feb. 4 on the scope and clarity of the questions included in its draft Information Collection Request (ICR), as well as its underlying assumptions and burden/cost estimates. EPA is taking these steps because it needs more data on whether or not RRP activities in buildings expose the public to lead-based paint (LBP) dust. If EPA determines such activities create LBP “hazards,” the agency will write additional rules that will apply to building contractors.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Total construction spending increased between October and November and for the year amid growing private-sector demand, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted, however, that the spending levels were held back by declining public sector investments for both the month and the year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 2, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment expanded in 211 metro areas, declined in 67 and was stagnant in 61 between November 2012 and November 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the employment gains were encouraging, but cautioned that future gains were dependent on continued economic growth and new investments in aging domestic infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction firms added jobs in 39 states over the past 12 months, while employment nearly stabilized in the remainder, according to an analysis released today by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials cautioned that the industry’s recovery was still relatively fragile, noting that a number of states experiencing large annual gains lost jobs during the past month.

SAN FRANCISCO - December 11, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the ConsensusDocs Coalition is announcing a new tool to effectively address alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the design and construction industry. Guided Choice is a new approach to mediation for a more active and holistic approach role for a mediator to actively guide parties towards resolution. ConsensusDocs is now including information on how to implement Guided Choice in the ConsensusDocs Guidebook, and is educating users on the process at its 2nd annual Construction SuperConference Workshop being conducted today in San Francisco, Calif. The American Arbitration Association (AAA) will honor requests from the parties to use the Guided Choice process in AAA administer mediation through arbitration

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 2, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- An unusual surge in public construction in October pushed total construction spending to its highest level since May 2009 despite a dip in both private residential and nonresidential activity, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials urged lawmakers in Washington to make water and surface transportation investment a top federal priority

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 27, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment expanded in 215 metro areas, declined in 74 and was stagnant in 50 between October 2012 and October 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials added that despite the widespread jobs gains, construction employment remains below peak levels in 315 metro areas.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment increased in 39 states over the past 12 months, the most widespread gains since April 2012, according to an analysis today by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said action on needed infrastructure investments for water and transportation projects would help support continued employment growth for the industry.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment hit a 50-month high as employers added 11,000 jobs in October, the fifth consecutive month of sector job gains, and the industry unemployment rate fell to 9 percent, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that the new employment figures indicate there was little nationwide short-term impact from the federal government shutdown and cautioned that skilled worker shortages are likely to grow as the industry continues to expand.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment rose by 20,000 in September and the industry’s unemployment rate fell to a six-year low of 8.5 percent, while construction spending increased for the fifth consecutive month in August, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that the data does not address any potential impacts from the recent federal government shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 1, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Total construction spending hit an unknown level in August because the Census Bureau was unable to release new data as a result of the federal government shutdown according to the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that the impacts of the shutdown will go beyond data as solicitations for many new construction projects come to a halt.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 26, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment expanded in 194 metro areas, declined in 88 and was stagnant in 57 between August 2012 and August 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials added that despite the widespread gains, construction employment reached peak levels for August in only 19 of 339 metro areas