AGC Survey Shows Firms ConcerNed About Worker Shortages and Quality Despite signs the overall economy may be slowing, most construction firms expect demand for their services and hiring will expand in 2020, yet even more firms are worried about their ability to find qualified workers to hire, according to survey …

Brighter Outlook than Originally Forecast Renewed activity in home sales along with low-interest rates and a more positive forecast for the economy in the year ahead have boosted builder and buyer confidence in the housing market. While price increases and a shortage of inventory have hamstrung purchases of existing homes, …

Five Ways to Prepare Your Business Much has been said about the state of the United States’ economy and its long-term forecast. Is it bullish or bearish? Trade wars. Inverted yield curves. Despite record employment, there are signs that the U.S. economy is weakening and that a market correction—perhaps not …

Chief Economist Advises Overall “Wait-and-See” Approach Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC) Chief Economist Anirban Basu forecasts continued momentum for the construction sector next year but advised an overall “wait-and-see” approach based on leading and lagging indicators and economic uncertainties, according to a 2020 economic outlook published in Construction Executive magazine. …

Members Save Time and Money with Informal Interpretations The informal interpretations featured in this issue of Sprinkler Age address inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) issues. Informal interpretations are prepared by the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) Technical Services Department— John August Denhardt, PE, FSFPE, vice president of Engineering & Technical …

Florida Tops Rankings for Second Year in a Row Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) has released its 2019 Merit Shop Scorecard, an annual ranking based on state policies and programs that encourage workforce development, career and technical education, job growth, and promote fair and open competition for taxpayer-funded construction projects. …

Talent Competes During AFSA38 The stage was set. It was October 4, 2019, and hundreds of onlookers flooded into the bustling exhibit hall at AFSA38: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition in San Diego, California, to witness the 26th Annual National Apprentice Competition hosted by the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). …

Avoiding Recession… for Now It seems rumors about a pending recession were swirling as 2019 drew to a close and as forecasters gazed into their crystal balls for 2020. Those fears seem to have been held off for at least another year, according to construction industry experts and the contractor …

Nominations Accepted Online for Top Fire Sprinkler Industry Awards The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is accepting nominations for its top honors: the prestigious Henry S. Parmelee Award, esteemed Fire Sprinkler Advocate of the Year award, and the new yet highly regarded Young Professional of the Year award. The awards …

Dodge Data & Analytics Releases Outlook Dodge Data & Analytics has released its 2020 Dodge Construction Outlook, a mainstay in construction industry forecasting and business planning. The report predicts that total U.S. construction starts will slip to $776 billion in 2020, a decline of 4 percent from the 2019 estimated …