Spring Cleaning for Construction Businesses

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Spring is in the air! 

For many, that means spending a long weekend with the windows open, cleaning the house, and starting those projects we’ve put off all winter. Construction picks up in the spring and summer, so it’s also a great time to clean up your business and get ready for the busy season ahead. 

Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

Clean Up Your Office

Did you know clutter can increase procrastination? Keep motivated by cleaning up your office space. File all your paperwork, complete any half-finished office projects, and get your space organized. If you haven’t already, go paperless. Invest in an organizational system, keep things for immediate use nearby, and put everything else away. It may seem small, but this will do wonders for your overall well being while sending the message to customers that you are organized and ready to take on their project. 

Go Over Your Books

It’s April, so you’ve probably been reviewing your books for tax purposes. Since you’re there, now’s a great time to audit your business and see how things are going. Look at last year’s budget. Did you stay on track? Can you expand? Review your vendors: could you be getting materials cheaper from someone else? Are you paying for any services you don’t use? Can you refinance or pay off any loans? This is also a great time to look at your workflow and see if there are opportunities to make it more efficient. 

Inspect Your Equipment

Is all of your equipment in working order? This is a great time to do maintenance on your equipment to ensure it’s in top shape before you begin the busiest time of year. This is also a chance to research new equipment, technology and tools to keep your team safe and productive for years to come. Exploring equipment rental with Steadfast Entities is one way you can use the most up-to-date, industry-proven tools and equipment for modern solutions and smart construction.

Practice Smart Marketing

The construction industry is competitive, and with increasing material prices and labor shortages, you’ll need to make sure you’re marketing yourself to both potential employees and new clients. Keep your pay and benefits competitive to attract top-tier talent. Review your marketing strategy and main sources of clients to see what’s working and what isn’t. Stay active on social media, explore more networking, and update your marketing materials (including your website) so that others know what to expect. Recommendation via word of mouth is still very common in this industry, so make sure your customers leave happy and can give their friends and associates exceptional reviews of your business. 

Give Back

Now more than ever, customers want to support businesses that are socially responsible and give back to their community. Whether you do repairs for a local shelter, organize a food drive, or sponsor a local team, you’ll be noticed for supporting the causes that make our communities great. Plus, giving back is a great way to build team morale, meaning you’ll have happier employees who will work better together.

We hope you are gearing up for a productive spring! And remember, if you need the highest quality equipment and best trained staff, you don’t have to look any further than Steadfast. We’re here to help you do smarter construction, when and where you need it.

Data Collection Apps

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At Steadfast, LLC, we love new construction technology. We can’t wait to share information about the newest materials and gadgets that will keep your staff safer, make your projects go faster, help the environment, and make you money. And while they might not be as much fun as drones or concrete made from lunar dust, data collection apps can do all those things and more. 

What are Data Collection Applications?

Put in the simplest terms, data collection apps are mobile programs that collect and store information about your project before, during, and after the job. 

Construction teams have been collecting data for years (think blueprints, the types and amounts of materials they would need, incident reports, etc.), but up until recently that data was kept on paper. While paper has served us well, it did come with some problems, like being easily damaged (hello, coffee stains), bulky, time consuming, and prone to error. 

It’s no surprise, then, that computer engineers started working on data collection software as early as the 1980s. Thanks to the cloud, this software has become one of the most widely-used technologies on construction sites today.

All kinds of useful data can be collected via these applications: they take and share pictures, GPS locations, signatures, and more. You can pull up plans, forms, schedules, and other documents without having to carry around bulky paperwork. And most allow you to store data offline, so they can still be used in areas without reliable internet. 

How can they help you?

If you already have a paper system, it might be tempting to not change something that’s not broken. Just because something is functional, however, doesn’t mean there isn’t a much, much better way. These data collection apps are so effective, even the most traditional site managers are making the switch. You can’t argue with the many financial and safety benefits!

1. Saving Time

How would you feel about having 20 hours back in your week? 

That’s how many administrative and field hours that app users report saving, thanks to increased efficiency. Since the software reduces data entry errors, you aren’t spending time correcting mistakes or hunting down missing signatures. 

GPS allows staff to easily find the exact site where a fix is needed, and you can easily send pictures and videos so everyone doesn’t have to drive to the site. And this improved workflow has one bottom line: jobs are finished in record time, meaning you’re making money faster.

2. Keeping Workers Safe

You want to keep your workers safe. Yet most workers avoid completing lengthy or complicated forms when they can, so many near-miss accidents or inspections get skipped. By making them accessible digitally, your team can quickly get through daily equipment inspections, easily complete near-miss reporting, and immediately access job safety analysis.

3. Reporting Instantly

The improved workflows brought to your team through data collection apps mean you can do your daily job reports, send client deliverables, and access legal documents right from your phone or tablet at your jobsite. Clear results and the ability to make instant decisions will help you have more accurate and dynamic control of every project. 

Which one should we use?

As data collection continues to improve, more apps are becoming available every day with a wide variety of user friendliness and prices. When considering which one to use, there are some important factors to consider. 

First, what devices will you be using? Many apps are specific to iOS (iPhones), android, or web technology. Next, what type of internet access do you have? If you are regularly working on jobs in areas with little to no internet access, you’ll want to make sure the app you choose has several offline options. Finally, will you be taking measurements one time or repeatedly? All of these factors, along with price point, will go into figuring out which app will work best for you. 

Explore a list of some of the most popular apps here. 

At Steadfast, LLC, we’re committed to helping you find the best staff, equipment, and technology to help you complete your jobs safely and efficiently. Contact us today to find out how we can help you get the job done right: jhworthy@steadfastentities.com.

The Future of Women in Construction

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As part of Women’s History Month, the construction industry celebrates Women in Construction Week from March 5th-11th. To celebrate, we wanted to highlight women who are making a difference in construction: who they are, what they bring to the industry, and how they are making the future brighter for everyone.

Who They Are

Women make up 14% of the construction industry and only about 3.4% of actual trade workers. Considering women make up 47% of the national workforce, this number is low, but it’s growing. 

Studies have shown that diversity increases employee engagement, improves productivity, and fosters innovation, so it’s no surprise that 59% of employers are actively working to bring a wider variety of people to their teams. This includes hiring more women, providing them with ongoing training and professional development opportunities, and promoting them into positions of leadership.

Bringing Growth to the Industry

Women are drawn to construction for many of the same reasons men are: a plethora of available jobs, great wages, and the ability to build a long, rewarding career. Yet there are even more reasons why a woman in particular would want to work in construction: For one, the pay gap in construction is small, with women earning 99.1% of what their male counterparts earn. This is substantially better than the national average of 81.1%. 

Beyond being a very physical job, construction requires intelligence and problem solving skills. Whether it’s making a bid for a job, creating a budget, drawing a blueprint, or solving a difficult puzzle on a job site, women inhabit the world differently and therefore can bring a different perspective to these tasks that often improve efficiency and save companies money.

Workers of the Future

Opportunities for women in construction continue to grow. As the industry looks for ways to recruit young workers, scholarships and training programs are becoming more widely available. For example, just this month the Department of Labor entered into a $20 million agreement with TradesFutures to create pathways for women and minorities into the industry through registered apprenticeship programs. TradesFutures, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit, plans to enroll 13,000 applicants into these programs, with over half of them being placed into registered apprenticeship programs across the country over the next four years. 

To make sure that women, veterans, people of color, Native Americans and other underrepresented groups are getting access to the program, TradesFutures will be partnering with the National Urban League and North America’s Building Trade Unions. The initial apprenticeship programs will be in Tennessee, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Missouri, but will expand to other states as programming becomes available. 

Want to be part of this great change? Check out our last Women in Construction blog post for tips to help you diversify your labor. 

At Steadfast, LLC, we believe that diversity is a strength, and it will only improve the future of construction! We hope to see more women and other underrepresented groups given equal pay, equal access to learning opportunities, and an equal chance to build a thriving career in construction. 

More About Mass Timber

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If you go back through Steadfast’s blogs, you’ll find a lot of information about new, sustainable building materials. Whether it’s concrete strengthened with algae, buildings built with recycled steel, or solar roof shingles, we’re thrilled to see the construction industry moving towards a more sustainable future. That’s why we’re excited to see the Mass Timber industry booming in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and beyond.

What is Mass Timber?

Put simply, mass timber is made up of several solid wood panels held together by nails, glue or dowels. The compressed wooden layers are stacked either at 90 degrees or parallel, making these panels incredibly strong and a comparable alternative to steel and concrete. They are strong enough to withstand earthquakes, high winds, and other forces that previously prevented wood from being used as the main building component in large, multistory buildings.

Is it Sustainable?

Mass Timber is more sustainable with fewer embodied carbons, and requires less water and energy to produce than concrete or steel. Wood also stores carbon in its structure, meaning that Mass Timber buildings actually remove excess carbon from their environment. For example, an 18 story Mass Timber building has an annual negative carbon imprint the same as taking 2,350 cars off the road. 

Forestry has also become more sustainable as the need for lumber has grown. Current practices mean alternating trees are cut down during harvest, allowing the remaining trees to grow taller without competing for sunlight, water, and other resources. Forest growth is also maintained by planting two saplings for every tree harvested, making sure that there will be plenty of timber available in the future. 

Is it Fire Safe?

When most people think of wood buildings, their first concern is fire safety. Fortunately, Mass Timber generally exceeds current fire codes. In one study, a panel was exposed to 1,800+ degrees Fahrenheit for two hours and six minutes, longer than current code requires. The panels don’t only sustain the heat without a problem, but the outside layer of Mass Timber will char, insulating and protecting the inner layer. This means cleanup and building rehabilitation is often easier and faster.

Is it Cost Effective? 

Yes, especially in comparison to concrete. Because Mast Timber panels come preassembled, they can cut down on construction traffic by 90%. Buildings are also constructed about 25% faster than those made predominantly from concrete. Because of this, projects can cost less with fewer safety risks to workers. While the panels themselves are usually more expensive than concrete, the overall cost to both the crew and the buyer is much less.

With all these benefits, we expect to see continued increases in Mass Timber construction. Steadfast, LLC has the modern tools and skilled staff you’re looking for to get your next Mass Timber (or any other type) project off the ground. Contact us today to see how we can help! 

Super Bowl Construction Facts

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On Sunday, over 99 million viewers sat down with friends and family to eat tasty snacks and  watch Philadelphia take on Kansas City in the 57th Super Bowl. Whether you were rooting for the Eagles, the Chiefs, or Rihanna, it was hard not to be impressed by the incredible State Farm Stadium. 

In fact, it made the construction enthusiast in me wonder how much time, energy, and money goes into building these Super Bowl stadiums. Here’s what I found out about stadiums across the NFL:

Most Expensive: SoFi Stadium

Home of the LA Rams and LA Chargers, it took almost four years and $5.5 billion to build this stadium in Inglewood, CA. One of the most expensive parts of building this stadium was making it earthquake proof. The field is sunk down into the ground, keeping it from interrupting the flight patterns of nearby LAX and to protect it from seismic damage. It has 70,240 seats for average game days, but can expand to 100,240 for major events like the Super Bowl. 

Biggest: MetLife Stadium

This stadium, which opened in 2010, boasts 82,500 seats in East Rutherford, NJ. Home of both the New York Giants and the New York Jets, it cost $1.6 billion to construct and was built in a little under 3 years. Beyond being the largest stadium in the NFL, MetLife Stadium was voted the “Greenest Stadium” by the EPA. The stadium is built with environmentally friendly materials; uses compostable plates, cups, and utensils throughout its restaurants; and has multiple strategies for reducing air pollution and conserving water. 

Oldest: Soldier Field

Home of the Chicago Bears, this stadium originally opened in 1924. It is also the smallest NFL stadium, with seating for 61,500 people. The original structure cost $13 million and took over two years to construct. Soldier Field also holds the unusual record of having 24,000 seats removed in 36 hours in 2002, when renovations began the same night they lost the playoffs to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003, with tailgators still in the parking lot. The renovations were completed in 2003 for $632 million. 

Loudest: Arrowhead Stadium

One of the oldest on this list, Arrowhead Stadium broke ground in 1968, and was built in a little over four years for $43 million. Home of the Kansas City Chiefs, It has been renovated multiple times, with the most recent addition of retrofitted high definition video displays and digital ribbon board technology being added in 2010. In a game on September 29th, 2014, against the New England Patriots, the crowd hit 142.2 decibels, breaking the record for the loudest stadium. We’ll see if it happens again in a few years, as Arrowhead Stadium has been selected as one of the hosts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Cheapest: Lambeau Field

Known as the ‘Frozen Tundra’, Lambeau Field was initially opened in 1957 after a year and $960,000 in construction costs. Home of the Green Bay Packers, it was the first stadium built specifically for an NFL franchise (previously, facilities were either shared with major league baseball teams or in other shared facilities). It underwent major renovations in 2003, which increased available seating to 81,441 seats. However, even with increased seating, Green Bay tickets are a hot commodity and the Packers have sold out every single game since 1960. 

No matter what team you root for, we hope you had the opportunity to spend the day watching the Super Bowl with your friends and family. And remember, whether you’re building a football stadium or renovating your backyard so you can play catch with the kids, Steadfast, LLC is here for all of your equipment rental and staffing needs. 

What is As-Built Capture Technology?

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Imagine being able to upload all of the information about a jobsite to an app in 15 minutes or less. You’d have everything you need right at your fingertips: the building plans, the layout, the stage of construction, and even photos of where things were. Thanks to as-built capture technology and drawing apps like Novade, this is no longer a work of imagination. Construction companies around the world are using it daily to improve safety, efficiency, and communication.

No More Jobsite Walk

We all know time is money, and jobsite walks are extremely time consuming. First you have to get to the jobsite, and then once you’re there it’s an exhausting list of inspecting individual elements, taking hundreds of photos, uploading them (which can take hours), and then comparing them with the original blueprints. Then, of course, you have to repeat these steps with each new phase of development.

As-built capture technology is getting rid of this chore. Using laser scanners, 3D reality capture cameras, and coordinated measuring machines, contractors now have a wide variety of tools readily available to quickly and efficiently gather information from their sites.

Simple Tech

The best part of as-built capture technology is that it’s incredibly simple to use for the less-than-tech-savvy among us. For instance, OpenSpace is a reality capture software system that automatically maps jobsite photos to building plans. A contractor simply has to strap their 360 degree camera to their hardhat, turn it on, and do a simple walk through the jobsite – no photos, notes, or additional walkthroughs required. 

In under 15 minutes, the imagery is uploaded to the app and connected to the plans. This is great for companies that regularly upgrade or remodel the same buildings every few years, because the building layouts and plans can be reused for decades.

Laser Scanners

Lasers are no longer the thing of sci-fi thrillers; they’re regularly being used in construction and other industries to capture precise measurements. Companies like FARO have developed laser scanners that allow users to create 3D maps of the building or jobsite in real time. They’ve also used this technology to create a laser projector, which can accurately project a laser outline onto a 3D surface, which is then used for prefabrication applications. One of their newest products is the Boston Dynamics Spot Mobile Robot, which allows for autonomous scanning by a robot and is perfect for unknown or dangerous worksites. 

Safety & Efficiency

As-built technology does more than just save time by eliminating jobsite walkthroughs. A picture is worth 1,000 words, and having real time 3D images readily available for review allows for increased accountability. It also improves conflict resolution and communication for your entire crew. With decreased travel costs and the reduced risk for workers due to fewer unknown or dangerous situations, we expect as-built technology to continue to rise in popularity at job sites across the country.

At Steadfast, LLC, we are always looking for the best people, technology, and equipment to make your job run as safely and smoothly as possible. If you’re in need of quality staffing or equipment rentals, contact us today! With our decades of experience and vast network of brands, we have the modern solution to any of your smart construction needs.

New Tech Inventions for 2023

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We love new technology here at Steadfast, LLC, so it’s no surprise that we couldn’t wait to check out Time Magazine’s list of the 200 Best Inventions of 2022. We were especially interested in those with exciting applications in construction in 2023 and beyond! Check out these construction innovations:

Holograms No Longer Just for Star Trek

The Magic Leap 2 is an augmented reality headset that provides interactive holograms used across various industries, including medicine, retail, and manufacturing. In the construction world, Magic Leap 2 can be used to view large buildings and other worksites at scale. This allows teams across the globe to work together despite distances. With just one click, they can provide BIM updates to allow teams to make real time changes, quality assurance, and more.

Tape Measures That Really Measure Up

The world’s first industrial grade digital tape measure, the TI Tomahawk by Reckon Tools is a game changer. With just the click of a button it can take precise incremental, center, and internal measurements. Reckon Tools also created the Reckon Rock App, where users can upload and share their measurements from the TI Tomahawk using Bluetooth technology.

Autonomous Drone

Drones are becoming a staple in the construction industry, but a shortage of qualified, licenced pilots is making their application difficult and expensive. Fortunately, Leica Geosystem’s BLK2FLY flying laser scanner is coming just in the nick of time. Operators use virtual joysticks within an app to fly the machines, so a drone license isn’t required. The system uses GPS, radar sensors, and cameras to navigate obstacles and create digital twins of worksites, building structures, and more. 

Solar, Simplified

While solar rooftop arrays are known for saving energy and cutting down your electric bill, setup is expensive and can cost thousands of dollars more than a traditional roof. That’s where the GAF Energy Timberline Solar Roof System comes in. The system includes solar ‘shingles’ that can be installed by a traditional roofing company with a nail gun. It’s also a certified solar and roofing product with a 25 year warranty, making solar more accessible for businesses and families everywhere. 

Wind Power at Home

Keeping in the theme of renewable energy on the roof, Aeromine Rooftop Wind Technology has patented new technology to capture wind energy. Generating 50% more energy than most solar arrays and having fewer parts to break than traditional small wind turbines, these units perform under even the most extreme weather conditions and are perfect for buildings with large, flat roofs, like big box retail stores, warehouses, and multi-family developments. 

Remote Operating Remotes

To help combat the labor shortage, Phantom Auto has created a remote operation program for forklifts that allows operators to login from anywhere in the world. With LIDAR sensors, high resolution cameras, and real-time video, this technology increases operator productivity and available labor pools while decreasing operator injuries.

Technology is always changing in the construction industry and at Steadfast Entities, LLC, we pride ourselves on maintaining up-to-date, industry-proven tools, equipment, and technology giving you modern solutions for all construction needs. Contact us today to see how we can help!

Don’t Let Your Equipment Walk Away

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Did you know that more than 250 pieces of heavy equipment are stolen each week in the United States? That number increases during December and January, when job sites are empty due to holidays and weather delays. 

Of that stolen equipment, less than 20% is ever recovered, costing business owners anywhere from $300 million to $1 billion every year. The good news? There are lots of ways to protect your equipment from thieves, saving you money and keeping your holidays merry and bright! 

Be on the De-FENCE-ive

Good fences make good neighbors…and are the first defense when it comes to stopping thieves. Make sure your fences go completely around the full perimeter of the jobsite, and that they’re at least 8’ tall. 

Walk the fence often and keep an eye out for tampering like cut chain links or stacked items that make it easier to get up and over. You can also install heavy duty safety bollards at gates, which make it harder for potential thieves to drive off the property with large equipment.

Be Tech Savvy

High-tech safety devices are now more attainable than ever. Whether it’s new and improved LED lighting to brighten your jobsite at night, tamper-proof security cameras, or GPS tracking devices on your equipment, there are a wide variety of products available at several different price points to keep your equipment safe. 

Some newer machines have built in anti-theft technology that require an operator to put in an individual pin to start the machine. If a thief tampers with the system, the machine will automatically send you an alert. If possible, hire a security consultant to figure out which technology would work best for you. It may be an extra cost up front, but if it keeps your equipment safe, it’ll pay for itself over time. 

Make Sure It Works

You can have the best security technology in the world, but it won’t do you any good if it isn’t working properly. Test alarms regularly to make sure they are still in working order. Make sure cameras can capture faces, license plates, and identifying features both during the day and in the dark. Potential thieves will often test your responsiveness by causing false alarms, so keep a close eye on your worksite for unknown vehicles or people who might be casing the property. If someone does look suspicious, report it to local authorities.

Store Equipment Safely

Light, easy-to-move equipment is often a top target for thieves, so make sure your lighter equipment is under cover or inside when left for the night, weekend, or holiday. Never leave equipment trailered, and make sure all trailers are properly secured so they can’t be used to steal equipment. AIf possible, make sure trailers and large equipment are parked far enough apart that they don’t block camera views and provide accidental coverage for criminals.

Maintain Your Inventory

It’s easy to put off, but keeping record of the serial numbers, PINs, manufacturer, and year of every piece of equipment is incredibly helpful should it ever be stolen. An easy way to do this is to take photos of the machines and their serial numbers/PINs, where they are stored, and (if present) your logo, and then store those pictures virtually on the cloud. Your insurance will need all this info when filing for theft. 

Another option? Rent equipment from Steadfast, LLC! This saves you from the hassle of dealing with storage, theft prevention and insurance. Contact us today to explore our reliable, modern equipment options.

Happy Holiday Workers

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The holidays are a fun yet stressful time of year. The best way to keep your staff feeling happy and motivated? Show them some appreciation! While it’s important to recognize your staff for their hard work every day, we’ve come up with a short list of easy ways to make their holiday season a little bit brighter (and make you more popular than Grandma’s Christmas cookies).

Thank Them

This one might seem obvious, but in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season it is easy to get caught up in the stress of tight deadlines, weather delays, holiday time off, workers out sick, and other obstacles. Make sure you’re telling your staff that you’re grateful for their work and commitment, and let them know when they’ve done a good job. Whether you say it out loud, send an email, or send out holiday cards, ensure the gesture is personal and meaningful. This is important year-round, but especially important when dealing with the stress of the holiday season. 

Pay Them

Most people have additional financial needs during this time of year, so there is nothing like a holiday bonus to make the season a little bit brighter. If you can, budget a bonus for each of your staff members to take home a little bit extra. Make sure you’re doing it fairly with either the same amount for everyone or based on a percentage of their pay. This can be added directly to their paycheck, or handed out in the form of separate checks or gift cards. 

If an added bonus simply isn’t in your budget, another possible option is to let staff leave a few hours early or take a paid day off so they can spend some more worry-free time with their family. Plus, studies show that breaks like these tend to make workers more motivated and productive when they come back to work the next day.

Feed Them

Never underestimate the value of free food, whether it’s morning coffee, a jobsite lunch, or, if it’s in your budget, a special dinner out with their families. If providing a meal is something you do regularly throughout the year, try to step it up a notch during the holiday season. That doesn’t necessarily mean steak and lobster, but do pay attention to your crew’s preferences and try to provide something they’ll enjoy. 

The cost of groceries has gone up across the country, so another option is to provide grocery gift cards or holiday fare (like a turkey, a ham, or pies) to each crew member for them to take home and share with their loved ones. This allows them to bring your appreciation home with them, and keep some of their hard earned money in their pocket.

Treat Them to a Good Time

Regardless of the industry, “team building” makes most workers roll their eyes and start looking for the closest exit. However, team building doesn’t have to be boring ice breakers or full of pseudo-inspirational buzzwords. Take your team paintballing, on a brewery tour, to a sports event, to axe throwing, or to an escape room. The opportunities are endless! Activities like these are a pivotal way to foster team bonding and create positivity in your company culture. 

Let Them Unwind

Holiday parties can be a blast, and a great way for employees to relax and let loose together. They do take a lot of planning and money, though, so make sure you give yourself plenty of lead time to make it happen in a cost-effective way. 

Also consider your crew’s preferences. Will you invite significant others and children? Are there any specific dietary needs? What time of week or even month would make the most sense?

If you want the party atmosphere, but don’t have the time, energy, or budget for a big holiday party, a simpler option is to sponsor a happy hour or round of after-work drinks for your team. Just make sure it’s held somewhere that non-alcoholic options are available for those that don’t drink, and make sure everyone has a safe ride home. Offering up Uber or Lyft credits ahead of time is a great way to make sure folks know they can enjoy themselves and still get home safe.

Science has shown that showing gratitude is a win for employees and companies alike, and there’s no better time to show your staff how much you care than the holiday season. And if you are looking for qualified staff and equipment operators to help finish your projects, look no further. Contact Steadfast today to find out how we can easily and quickly connect you to the right people to get your job done! 

Fun Times and Fungi in Construction

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Mycoremediation (my-co-re-media-tion) may sound like something out of a sci-fi novel, but it’s actually just the name of a process that nature has been doing since the beginning of time: using mushrooms to break down natural materials. 

Nature’s Garbage Disposal

Mycoremediation is a fairly straightforward process. Fungi release enzymes that break down organic matter into simple sugars, and then use those sugars as fuel. So the scientists working with Australian-based contractor Lendlease had a great idea: why not use this process to help reduce construction waste? 

From Construction to Compost

According to the EPA, the building industry in the US alone generates more than 600 million tons of construction debris every year, including 11 to 13 million tons of asphalt shingles. Most of those shingles end up in landfills, with only 5-10% being recycled or reused. 

With this in mind, Lendlease created their first mycoremediation pilot program. They used three different types of fungi to break down the roof shingles from 214 houses in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. While they did not state the exact amount of time they expect before the shingles have completely decomposed, it is expected to be substantially faster than the 300 years it would normally take for asphalt shingles to break down on their own. Once decomposed, the shingles can be reused as compost for growing food.

Great for the Planet and Your Wallet

Mycoremediation is proving to not only benefit the environment but also the economy. Lendlease believes their building-debris-to-compost plan could be a profitable income stream, and plans to expand their mycoremediation to include other building materials like drywall. 

Eventually, they hope to sell the compost and make more money than would be spent to get rid of the waste at a landfill. In the words of Sarah Neff, the head of sustainability at Lendlease: 

“Taking a product that is no longer viable and combining it with a natural renewable source that results in a new product, is a phenomenal outcome that is both beneficial to the environment and bolsters the economy.”

As more and more companies consider their environmental impact, we expect to see mycoremediation and other sustainable practices being used more and more throughout construction. 

Interested in talking more about resource-friendly construction and heavy equipment? Contact Steadfast today!