Prices $$$ in Construction Materials Continue to Rise

Posted by Steadfast Entities on August 17, 2021

The COVID pandemic continues to have far-reaching ripple effects on the economy and every part of society, including construction.

Just last month, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics released their July 2021 report, showing another 0.6% increase in the price of construction materials. In Vermont alone, there were “double-digit percentage increases in the selling prices of materials used in every type of construction” compared to this time last year. For example, “the producer price index for steel mill products more than doubled from July 2020 to last month, leaping 108.6 percent.”

In addition to the raw materials, pandemic backups and price hikes are affecting transportation and fuel costs, further adding to high end prices across all of construction.

These commodities come from all across the world, where many countries still face serious pandemic delays. David Fultz, Senior Vice President of TDIndustries, reminds people to consider the multifaceted and far-reaching requirements of every construction project:

“South America is still in the middle of the pandemic, which creates tremendous disruptions in mining that stresses the supply chain. Additionally, it’s a lot harder to get our hands on international products due to import/export disruptions. Weather is another significant factor.”

Unpredictable weather in particular can ruin inventory and put manufacturers way behind. When already faced with pandemic limitations and struggles, suppliers are finding it harder than ever to bounce back, leading to massive shortages and delays across the world.

While only time can help us get past the pandemic, there are some actions we can take now to alleviate the pressure on the industry. The Associated General Contractors of America, for example, have urged President Biden to remove current tariffs and quotas on essential construction materials like steel and lumber.

“These tariffs and quotas are artificially inflating the cost of many key materials and doing more damage to the economy than help,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the Association’s Chief Executive Officer.

No matter the answer, there’s no doubt that we’re not through this yet. Until the pandemic has quieted down across the world and manufacturers are able to recover, construction materials pricing will continue rising, making projects more expensive.

To read the Associated General Contractors of America Inflation Alert, click here.

For more details on specific materials cost rates and trends, visit YieldPro.com.

New $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill Passes

Posted by Steadfast Entities on July 20, 2021

INVEST in America

This month, the House of Representatives passed the INVEST in America Act, a bipartisan infrastructure bill that opens up billions in new funding for sustainable construction projects across the country.

The new deal includes $973 billion in investment over the next five years and $1.2 trillion if continued over eight years.

Sustainable Infrastructure

The bill focuses on newer and greener methods of transportation and infrastructure expansion, including renewable energies, electric vehicles, and more public transportation options. While this shift away from oil and coal-based energies has some worried, the focus on sustainability is going to mean great things for the industry.

Specifically, the bill will create 82,000 jobs in the sector, add $62 billion in wages, and boost the industry’s GDP by $75 billion, according to Construction Dive.

Where’s the Money?

According to the White House’s fact sheet on the bill, financing will come from:

Reduce the IRS tax gap
Unemployment insurance program integrity
Redirect unused unemployment insurance relief funds
Repurpose unused relief funds from 2020 emergency relief legislation
State and local investment in broadband infrastructure
Allow states to sell or purchase unused toll credits for infrastructure
Extend expiring customs user fees
Reinstate Superfund fees for chemicals
5G spectrum auction proceeds
Extend mandatory sequester
Strategic petroleum reserve sale
Public-private partnerships, private activity bonds, direct pay bonds and asset recycling for infrastructure investment
Macroeconomic impact of infrastructure investment

Long-Term Growth

This bill is a testament to how crucial our industry is, not only for America’s history, but for our future. As we pivot to be more sustainable and focused on technology, many new and exciting opportunities lie ahead. We’re excited to meet new challenges head on!

Need the latest in heavy equipment tech and expertly-trained operators? Drop us a line: jhworthy@steadfastentities.com

What NOT To Do: The 5 Biggest Construction Fails in the US

Posted by Steadfast Entities on July 6, 2021

Structure and safety go hand in hand. Without strong structural engineering and expert construction, there’s no guaranteed safety for those using the road, bridge, building, or space. Here’s a look at the 5 biggest construction fails in United States history and how they could have been avoided.

Hyatt Regency Walkway (1981)

Deaths: 114

The walkways on the second and fourth floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri collapsed under the weight of guests, falling onto a busy lobby below. A total of 114 people were killed and another 200 injured.

The sleek, new lobby opened in 1980 and featured walkways anchored by steel rods. The problem lay in the connection between a single set of hangar rods threaded through to a double-rod system anchored to the upper walkways. This placement caused undue stress and would never have passed an inspection, yet somehow no one noticed the fault during construction.

This incident could easily have been prevented by more knowledgeable contractors and a more thorough safety inspector during initial construction.

The Knickerbocker Theater (1922)

Deaths: 98

This DC theater collapsed during a silent move and just two days after the biggest blizzard in the city’s history. The weight of the snow caused the building’s roof to buckle, killing 98 and injuring 133. One of the worst disasters in the city’s history, immediate emergency response was delayed and unorganized as hundreds rushed to the area. Subsequent investigations blamed the use of arch girders rather than stone pillars to support the roof.

This disaster could have been prevented by managing risk in construction and accounting for all possible types of weather in that region. Better maintenance of the building (i.e., removing the snow more quickly) would also have been critical in this situation.

Willow Island (1978)

Deaths: 51

A West Virginia power station cooling tower was under construction and the contractor was building scaffolding. Unlike standard scaffolding methods, however, this contractor bolted scaffolding to the cooling tower itself and poured concrete each day to raise the scaffolding higher. As the tower reached 166 feet, a crane pulling up a bucket of concrete fell toward the inside of the tower and the previous day’s concrete collapsed.

All 51 construction workers on the tower fell to their death as the scaffolding crumbled, making it the deadliest construction accident in U.S. history. OSHA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology were quickly involved. Their investigations pointed to concrete that had not sufficiently cured, missing or defective bolts, and rushed construction.

This tragic accident shows the importance of safety inspections at the worksite and taking time to finish steps completely, even when there’s pressure to finish a job.

L’Ambiance Plaza (1987)

Deaths: 28

A 16-story apartment building in Bridgeport, CT collapsed during construction, killing 28 workers. While many still debate the cause or causes of this disaster, one resulting investigation concluded that the lifting assembly for these slabs was at fault.

Observers of the accident and workers onsite also noted that the accident was highly preventable and that it showed the deficiencies of the lift slab construction technique. Following the event, a federal investigation was conducted into the techniques used on the job.

This accident demonstrates the importance of using the most modern, technologically-advanced, and proven techniques in construction. While you don’t want to be using tech that hasn’t been field-tested, you also don’t want to be a stick in the mud avoiding newer, safer construction options.

Champlain Towers South Collapse (2021)

Deaths: 18

This surfside condominium building collapsed in Miami, Florida, killing 18 and injuring 11 more. Of the 136 total units in the building, 55 were destroyed. Just a couple years before, an inspection had found severe problems with the building that went unrepaired.

The cause of the disaster was multifaceted and included long-term degradation of reinforced concrete in the underground garage. The building was also shown to be sinking at a faster rate than surrounding buildings (about 2 millimeters/year), creating tension. Moreover, poor waterproofing practices meant that the areas beneath the pool deck had deteriorated and weakened the structure.

This disaster shows how critical environmental factors are in the engineering and construction process. A better understanding of the surrounding environment and long-term maintenance could have saved this building from its sinking, water damage, and deteriorating concrete.

Don’t rely on inexpert operating engineers or overused equipment – Steadfast Entities prides itself on using the best in modern technology and expertly-trained operators for every job. Be safe, be effective, and be Steadfast! Contact us for your next job: jhworthy@steadfastentities.com

Constructing Connections: Why Word of Mouth is King

Posted by Steadfast Entities on May 11, 2021

Even in today’s streamlined, modern world full of email, social media, and millions of connections available in an instant, personal relationships reign supreme. In fact, 92% of all consumers around the world say they trust word-of-mouth referrals more than other forms of advertising (Nielson, 2012).

The construction industry is a perfect example of how important personal relationships are: according to the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI), 88% of all contractors primarily use word of mouth to grow their business (2020).

So why is word of mouth still so important?

Because relationships trump any digital convenience. Consumers and business owners are willing to risk having their groceries delivered for the sake of convenience, but they’re not willing to take a gamble with their roof, a new office building, or a highway construction project.

They need someone they trust and you can only trust people you know.

Don’t know a contractor? Well, you know other people and those people know contractors that they trust. It’s the next best thing, and it’s monumentally more effective than any amount of digital advertising. Relationships develop over time and a reliable business relationship depends on consistent communication and trust.

While business relationships are key, you can still build lasting connections and develop a strong online strategy at the same time! Social networking, when used correctly, can foster your in-person connections and encourage positive word of mouth.

Construction is a people-based industry.

From operators to subcontractors, you have to trust the people you work with in this industry. You’re not alone in a cubicle or working remotely, so positive communication is key. These connections are building industries while we’re shaping what the world looks like tomorrow.

Here are some tips to get your subcontractors and customers spreading the love:

Put customer service first, especially communication
Ask for and reward referrals to your business
Share your business accomplishments, community activities, and charity work
Create a community

No matter what, remember that construction is built by and for people, so don’t lose sight of the strong connections around you! Build tomorrow – one customer, subcontractor, or business partner relationship at a time.

How Philadelphia Construction Survived COVID-19

Posted by Steadfast Entities on April 27, 2021

Essential Workers

When it comes to the COVID-19 Pandemic, very few things have gone as expected and the construction scene in Philadelphia is no different. Like most large cities across the nation, construction projects ground to a halt in March 2020 as businesses waited for guidance on if and how they could return to work safely. However, the need for continued road and building maintenance, as well as the potential need for construction of new medical facilities, made construction personnel some of the first to be considered essential workers. By August 2020, new construction permits in Philadelphia were at record levels and the work has continued ever since.

Booming Construction

This stream of construction projects has held steady in Philadelphia for many reasons. First, many projects had already been planned and financed, and the halt during the early months of the pandemic created a bottleneck. So it makes sense that when workers were allowed to return to their projects, they made up for lost time.

Rushing Permits

Secondly, Philadelphia’s 10-year tax abatement rule on new construction was originally set to expire in early 2021 (it has since been delayed until 2022). Since the rule is based on when the permit was purchased and not on the groundbreaking of a project, many businesses bought permits preemptively to avoid any extra taxes. This secured several projects that may have been put off and helped continue the trend of increased construction in the city and surrounding areas.

Surging Markets

Another significant factor in the increased rates of construction around Philadelphia was the surging housing market. As interest rates dropped and many searched for larger homes to accommodate their new work-from-home lifestyle, construction bloomed. Since many workplaces went completely remote, many of those working outside Philadelphia are now able to truly call the city home.

Finally, institutional development around Philadelphia soared, bringing with it several new, large-scale construction projects. An increase in hospital and educational needs lead to expansion in the Navy Yard and University City, and thanks to the massive increase in online shopping, warehouse and other storage buildings also demanded construction and repair.

The Future of Philly Construction

As we start to see a decrease in COVID cases and life regains some pre-pandemic feeling, will construction continue? While nothing is certain, there are no shortage of projects on the horizon. In December 2020, the Philadelphia City Council passed Philadelphia’s first residential development impact tax, meant to send millions towards new, affordable housing projects. With many companies planning on staying remote, a conversion of office buildings to apartments, hotels, and other businesses can also be expected.

No matter what happens, Steadfast will be there to meet all of your construction needs, and we look forward to watching Philly’s construction continue to thrive.

Happy Heavy Equipment Holidays

Posted by Steadfast Entities on December 23, 2020

Happy Holidays from Steadfast Entities!

Here are 5 heavy equipment holiday tidbits to brighten your holiday season:

Many towns across the United States host a Lighted Holiday Tractor Parade, with various types of heavy equipment brightly decorated for the season.

Each year, about 30 million live trees are sold across the United States. Shipping Christmas trees is tough, requiring a dry van or refrigerated truck over short distances with very few stops.

The Hess Toy Truck started in 1964 by Leon Hess, oil entrepreneur and lover of heavy equipment. The full fleet of toys has included the classic tanker trailer, 18 wheelers, emergency response vehicles, tractors, dump trucks, loaders, RVs, tow trucks, and more.

On average, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree weighs 20,000 pounds (about 10 tons), requiring a crane with a 142-foot boom. Set up includes two cables: the main load line at the top and a lesser cable at the bottom. Watch the 2020 video here.

On many construction sites, you’ll see an evergreen tree placed at the top for good luck. This tradition, called “Topping Off,” comes from old Scandinavia, but many today associate it with Native American values or the American dream.

Every year, cranes and other heavy equipment are used extensively for erecting trees, lights, and large-scale decorations. Without our heavy equipment crew, the holidays wouldn’t be as festive. Thanks to all our operators this month – and every month!

Need gift ideas for the construction worker in your life? Visit the Construction Junkie post for 2020’s best gift ideas and stay safe this holiday season.

Building Community

Posted by Steadfast Entities on November 24, 2020

As we approach Thanksgiving and the 2020 holiday season, celebrating our connections and community is more important than ever. The heart of any community is the people and the buildings are what make it possible.

Construction builds community.

Yes, sometimes that jackhammer noise can be annoying at 7 am. Yet community improvement projects are almost always a significant boon to any neighborhood or commercial area. These are just a few ways that ongoing construction across regions positively impacts your life:

Economic Boost

Almost all construction projects provide needed employment opportunities and government income. In addition, new residential construction alone provides an almost immediate and dramatic impact on home values.

Road construction also improves residential and commercial property values while promoting business and tourism.

Commercial real estate is key for boosting both national and local economies through the wide-reaching trickle-down growth in real estate, equipment, retail, manufacturing, education, business, tourism, and more.

Green Improvements

Modern buildings and systems follow updated, modern regulations and are more efficiently built. This means new construction projects are improving our environment through erosion controls, rainwater capture, reduced emissions, and other green construction methods. Newer, environmentally-friendly construction is better for everyone in the long run!

Infrastructure Resilience

The construction industry builds the things people depend on. With improved and modernized infrastructure like roads, buildings, emergency routes, waterways, and more, your community will be better prepared for natural disasters or economic dips that might put development on hold.

Ellicott City, MD and Hurricane Katrina are both dramatic examples of what can go wrong if the infrastructure isn’t up to par. Ongoing infrastructure improvements ensure your city or neighborhood is as safe as possible, no matter what the future holds.

Cultural Development

Land development fundamentally improves the quality of life for any sector. From improved schools and parks to modern cityscapes, they attract community involvement and improve the quality of life for all those involved. Community projects improve the economy, help the environment, prevent disasters, and unite us.

Especially in today’s post-COVID world, your surroundings and your community are fundamental to your well-being. Spend some time to learn more about what construction is happening in your area and how it may impact you!

For more information about Steadfast Entities heavy equipment rental and our passion for building community, click here.

The Future of Augmented Reality

Posted by Steadfast Entities on October 29, 2020 with 9 Comments

What is it?

Augmented Reality or AR is an interactive digital experience overlaid onto a surrounding real-world environment. The physical surroundings are enhanced by computer-generated imagery or information. While this technology has been in use for decades in video games (for example, Pokémon GO), AR has left the entertainment sphere behind over the past 15 years! Recent predictions showed the AR global market was expected to grow $90 billion by 2020.

AR is an especially exciting new construction technology trend thanks to the multitude of streamlined applications it presents. Engineers, project managers, contractors, and more can benefit from using this advanced camera and sensor technology.

So how does it work?

“This amazing technology increases accuracy and efficiency by reducing errors related to managing time, money, and resources,” says eSub Construction Software.

One example is Building Information Modeling (BIM), an intelligent 3D model-based process that provides architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals the resources to more efficiently and effectively design, construct, and manage infrastructure. Various other versions of this and other AR construction technology apply to almost every facet of design, construction, and site management:

Augmented reality gear and wearables like smart glasses and Microsoft’s Halolens can measure a space’s physical elements, including depth, height, and width without the need for measuring equipment, ladders, or lifts.
Morpholio is an app used by architects to more accurately design a project.
Mixed reality applications can also show underground construction, preventing expensive and dangerous work accidents or delays.
Safety and inspections are more accurate with AR.

How does it affect me?

If you’re a project manager or executive, augmented reality construction technology could help streamline and improve almost every stage of your job, from design and coordination to implementation and ongoing project oversight. Plan with accurate measurements, predict and account for obstacles, improve efficiency, reduce wasted labor and materials, and stack up incredible long-term cost savings.

There are countless benefits for the individual contractors as well. Augmented technology could lead to better health and safety outcomes on the job site, faster yet more effective training, and the tools needed for better on-the-job performance.

Building the Future

There’s no doubt that the future of construction technology includes extensive use of augmented reality software. From contractors to executives, it’s a no-brainer to adopt more modernized operations. It will be exciting to see where construction technology takes us next!

Follow our blog to get the latest industry updates and news or connect with Steadfast on LinkedIn.

Constructing During COVID-19

Posted by Steadfast Entities on October 15, 2020 with 1 Comment

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and the construction industry have had an interesting relationship this year. Some construction projects are essential and others aren’t. Even though many construction workers continued their jobs as the virus raged on, PPE and social distancing measures weren’t as universally applicable. This has caused some confusion as different states take different approaches.

So, what are the best practices for people working in the construction industry today? How do we keep our teams safe while still generating revenue?

Read the below tips on keeping your workforce healthy with reasonable precautions suggested by the CDC, OSHA, and others.

Masks

OSHA and the CDC recommend wearing a face covering whenever possible, but especially when social distancing from others is not possible.

Given the varying environments workers may find themselves in on work sites, it may not be realistic for employees to cover their faces if they…

Work alone or significantly distanced from others
Work outdoors and/or in the extreme heat
Get their face covering soiled, wet, or dirty during their shift
Must already wear a face covering, mask, or face shield for their work

However, if a team of workers spend a shift together, indoors, working on a project that requires them to be within 6 feet of each other at times, then masks are highly recommended.

Social Distancing

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides this guideline chart regarding COVID-19 risk on construction work sites:

Lower Risk (Caution)	Medium Risk	High Risk	Very High Risk
Tasks that allow employees to remain at least 6 feet apart and involve little contact with the public, visitors, or customers. *No special precautions.*	Tasks that require workers to be within 6 feet of one another. Tasks that require workers to be in close contact (within 6 feet) with customers, visitors, or members of the public. *Masks should be worn.*	Entering an indoor work site occupied by people such as other workers, customers, or residents suspected of having or known to have COVID-19, including when an occupant of the site reports signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19. *Consider delaying this work.*	Category not applicable for most anticipated work tasks. Note: Most construction work tasks are associated with no more than high exposure risk; see the work tasks associated with lower, medium, or high risk on this chart. *Unlikely to occur in construction.*

Like in the previous example of workers together indoors for a full shift, any work site falling in the Medium column should require face coverings. When your project has a High Risk due to possible COVID exposure, the project should be delayed if possible.

Sick Time & Administrative Controls

Every project manager should also consider administrative controls as additional precautionary measures. The following steps could effectively prevent an outbreak among your staff and demonstrate to your team and clients that you’re taking their health seriously:

Stagger shift start/end times and reduce traffic in high-congestion areas to promote social distancing (ex: open additional break rooms)
Adopt flexible sick time policies that encourage workers to stay home when sick
Introduce thermal scanning or screening questions when entering buildings
Increase sanitation practices
Reduce in-person meetings

The Future

It’s not just construction. Numerous industries are balancing the tightrope of maintaining operations and keeping employees and clients safe.

Fortunately, we live in a time when technology and available resources can meet the demands of a “new normal.” As long as project managers continue to assess safety, follow safety guidelines, and explore new options, sites will be safe and we’ll keep building.

Keep an eye out for next week’s blog post on one technology that’s taking construction by storm! In the meantime, connect with Steadfast on LinkedIn.

Category: Industry News