Tag Archives: VIC

Is Housing an important political issue? Most homebuyers don’t realize that it is.

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A recent survey conducted last month by Redfin Real Estate Brokerage, showed that most homebuyers don’t see Housing as an important political issue for this year’s elections.

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When asked about how a newly-elected president can affect the housing market, 75% of the respondents believed that the winner won’t affect the industry that much. 15% said that the next president can worsen the current housing market, while only 11% believed that out next leader can improve it.

For the average homebuyer, an individual’s decision to purchase a house is personal, not political. 29% of the survey respondents stated that their decision to buy was brought about by a major life event such as a wedding or having kids. The second most-cited reason for buying, according to the survey, was rent fluctuations- usually, the rent is becoming too high for most people.

Issues such as rent hikes, school quality, accessible city infrastructure, sufficient parking spaces, the availability of green spaces, urban planning and zoning, property taxes… all of these factors are unquestionably political. These are the most common considerations for people before purchasing a house, and we can’t deny that they are linked to good governance.

State and local races are therefore the concern of every citizen.

But what about for the national candidates? Well, housing accounts for roughly 18% of our nation’s economy. Taxpayers back most US home loans, whether directly or indirectly. The Federal Reserve sets monetary policy, which then in turn affects mortgage rates. The US Congress determines fiscal policy and therefore has the power to decide on issues about mortgage tax deductions and tax breaks. Furthermore, national environmental and safety laws can hugely affect how and where your house will be built.

According to Redfin Chief Economist, Nela Richardson, “Housing is seen by the government as an engine of wealth creation for the middle class. With income inequality a growing concern, housing still plays a crucial role in economic well-being for most families and that’s an issue worth voting for.”

In addition, our next president will also be forced to set a national housing agenda whether he wants to or not.

So in the end, your vote still does matter. As homeowners, builders, and contractors, we all have a stake in this. As informed industry professionals, let us do our part in reminding the public about how every vote truly counts.

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To know more about how builders and contractors can efficiently address stringent project management requirements, let us introduce you to SAM. 

Are you a high performer or a workaholic?

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Yes, there’s a big difference between the two. While the two may both look like they’re working hard, high performers have a more effective, sustainable work ethic. Workaholics on the other hand, have higher stress levels and are perfect candidates for burnout. From the outside, high performers and workaholics both seem like they’re delivering the same performance. But if you look closely, they have very different work styles and perspectives on how to “succeed.”

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According to researcher and author Jullien Gordon, “the big difference is how the individual feels on the inside about who they are in [relation] to their work,” He also adds that a high performer works hard in “healthy sustainable ways and feels happy and inspired.” Meanwhile, a workaholic “works hard in unhealthy unsustainable ways and feels unhappy and burned out.”

Let’s clarify this further by identifying their crucial differences.

1. A workaholic needs others to feel their worth. A high performer knows his or her value.

A typical workaholic depends on external validation from the people around him. This may be his boss, co-workers, or clients. They wait eagerly for external evaluations (annual reviews, mid-year reviews) because it allows them to understand how well they are performing. The result of this attitude is a person who constantly works with a sense of fear. Afraid of getting notices, scolded, or rated poorly.

On the other hand, a high performer knows his or her self-worth and often works with a sense of freedom. Unlike the workaholic who relies on external validation, a high performer often creates a self-feedback system that loops and constantly checks himself. They don’t go around waiting for a pat on the back. Due to their attitude, the congratulatory gestures from others, often come naturally.

2. Workaholics are busy. High performers do business.

According to Gordon, “Workaholics fill any space in time with busy work because they feel insecure doing nothing.” Again, this stems from not knowing their own value. Their goal is to busy (or appear busy) at all times. Often, they think that the busier they appear, the more important they must be.

A high performer however is aimed at doing real business. They are very results-oriented. “If they can’t see a way to create value in the moment, they facilitate or strategize instead. They know that like the economy, business comes in waves, therefore they get ready during the dips so they can capitalize during the upswings.”

3. High performers bring 100% at the right time. Workaholics give 110% ALL the time.

High performers know that bringing 110% 24×7 is unsustainable. What they do is figure out the best, most perfect, most crucial time to give it everything they’ve got. This way, they can conserve their energy and efforts into activities that will yield the most results. It’s a tactical decision. A calculated move.

To better themselves, what they do is increase their capacity and skill so that their 100% is better than their competitor’s 110%.

So which of these are you? Are you a high performing construction manager who knows how to expertly manage his time and efforts? Or are you a workaholic who’s always afraid of being idle and getting reprimanded?

Don’t just work hard. Work “smart”.

In order for you to manage your time, attention and resources better, you need to employ the right tools and the right technology. Project managers and construction superintendents, for example, can use digital schedulers that can sync tasks semalessly, produce reports instantly, and send project updates remotely.

Check out the benefits of SAM – The Superintendent’s Automated Manager and become the high performer that you should be.

2016 Tech Trends for the Construction Industry

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Today we’re listing down some of the hottest construction industry trends that we foresee will be more prevalent in 2016. Keep an eye out because it could be time for you to incorporate them now into your business.

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Inspection Drones

Drones have been the hot-topic of 2015. Everyday consumers may be getting most of the fun, but businesses are using it too. From movie-making to extreme sports and even to wedding photography, these flying cameras have proven that they can be useful in getting valuable perspectives. The same is true for construction. A drone can be very handy for jobsite inspections, especially for areas that are harder to reach on foot. Think bridge undersides, unfinished floors, roofs, and so on. It’s also pretty cool to use for your company’s marketing and documentation pursuits.

Wearable Technology

We all know the hazards involved in a construction site. And with the advent of wearable tech that can monitor a person’s vital signs, you can expect construction companies to assimilate these health-tech with worker safety. A smart watch may alert health personnel if a person’s blood sugar has dropped or if someone’s heartbeat is going dangerously fast. This way, workers in remote locations can easily ask for and receive first aid assistance.

More and More Automation for Construction Sites

Constructions in 2016 will surely be marked by high automation and high quality. Every year, we see more and more of those modular construction projects that take a fraction of time to build compared to typical builds. 3D printing is also poised to create a bigger impact in the manufacturing of materials.

Cloud Adoption

While some businesses have long been harnessing the benefits of cloud computing, some are still yet to follow. This year, we’ll probably see more and more companies adopting cloud storage and cloud strategies. For the construction industry, the cloud offers process streamlining, stakeholder accountability and critical mobile access.

Stringent Tech Security

Hacking, viruses, malware, these are threats to any kind of business. As we become more tech-savvy and tech-reliant in 2016, companies are now becoming more aware of the risks that comes with network and security vulnerabilities. It’s a must to protect our proprietary data, financial info, and client credentials. Even blueprints and plans need to be safeguarded whether you’re on physical or cloud storage.

Planning and Management Software Become More Important

Mobile (remote) collaboration and automated project status reporting will continue to be a necessity for construction companies. And because of this, project management software and scheduling applications will continue to be in demand this year. As clients become more impatient, they want projects done fast and demand for instant information.

What about you? What do you expect to see more of this year? Do you have any new tech adoptions or breakthrough discoveries to share with us?

If you’re interested in knowing more about Automated Trackers’ patented project management and scheduling tool, click here to get a free online demonstration. 

Contractor Must-Know: How to Handle Conflict During Construction

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No matter how small or how big a project is, it is always prone to challenges. Oftentimes, major conflicts like claim disputes, arbitration, and litigation may even come up. These types of problems are not just time-consuming, they can be very costly too. The National Research Council estimates that $4B to $11B is spent annually in resolving these cases in the U.S. market.

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And as a contractor, you often have to play the role of an unbiased outside party. You have to do whatever it takes to avoid these costly nightmares. To aid you in this, check out the following practices often upheld by Project Neutrals or Individual Dispute Review Boards.

1. Develop Trusting Relationships

You have to develop trust between all stakeholders of the project. If you’re building a home for a family, you have to consider each member’s needs, while also putting into account any homeowner, neighborhood, city, municipal, or state guidelines. In the case of people, when trust levels are high, there is less tendency for involved parties to be defensive. Conflict resolution is much easier if everyone is on the same page.

2. Be an Active Participant in the Project

In order to establish your role in a project, and to build trusting relationships among stakeholders, you shouldn’t just be a passive observant. Be an active participant! Make your significance clear. Make your presence felt. Assure them that you have their best interests in mind and that you have the capacity to make it happen. Let them see you do your stuff.

3. Communicate Clearly

Nothing spells a sure disaster more than unclear communication. We all know that construction projects can amass a lot of paperwork, documentation, permits, and so on. We have to ensure that the message of each document is crystal clear and cannot be interpreted vaguely. Not just in paperwork, you have to ensure that all modes of communication are clear. Be it text, email, calls, or in-person communication— it’s a must to deliver your instructions as clearly as possible.

4. Treat Everyone Fairly

Don’t just prioritize your client. You also have to be fair to your employees, contractors, drivers, business partners, suppliers, and so on. To avoid (and resolve) conflict, you have to make them feel that you are being fair to everyone who’s involved in the project.

5. Be a Resource Person

As the project manager or construction manager, you should be the nucleus or nerve center of knowledge. All parties concerned should be able to come to you and ask questions. Of course, it’s your job to have information ready at a moment’s notice. For this you have to maintain a stable timeline, have good reporting skills, and a firm grasp of the project’s status.

Construction can be a real pain in the behind, IF you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s why it’s important to study best practices, learn from mistakes, and use whatever tools and resources you have at your disposal.

Automated Trackers believes in you! Happy building!

ABC Launches “Building America: The Merit Shop Scorecard”

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Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) launched an online scorecard that will review and grade state-specific policies affecting the construction industry. “Building America: The Merit Shop Scorecard” is a website where builders, contractors and suppliers can view which states have created beneficial or subpar environments for the construction industry.

Quick Overview about the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association representing nearly 21,000 chapter members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably and for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. ABC’s membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry.

What is Building America: The Merit Shop Scorecard?

Building America: The Merit Shop Scorecard reviews and ranks state-specific information that is significant to the construction industry. The scorecard is a tool to identify states that are embracing the merit shop philosophy via legislation, policies, priorities and valuable programs, as well as highlight states where proactive and strategic improvements need to be executed to create an environment conducive to the industry’s needs. Rankings have been assigned primarily based on the core issues concerning merit shop construction, including state policies on Right to Work, prevailing wage and government-mandated project labor agreements.

US States are ranked based on how construction-friendly they are

Overall ranking (1-51) is determined through a combined score of the seven graded criteria. Ties in combined score being broken by performance on ABC core issues, with secondary consideration given to additional graded criteria.

Every state received a score in each of the following seven categories measuring critical laws, programs, policies, and statistics impacting the merit shop contracting community. An overall comparative ranking was then assigned to each state by considering all measured categories, with particular emphasis given to the first three criteria of project labor agreements, prevailing wage, and Right to Work state laws and/or executive orders.

Ties in combined score were broken by performance on ABC core issues and a consideration of the other scored criteria grades.

  • Project Labor Agreements –  State policies on government-mandated PLAs on public and publically assisted projects.
  • Prevailing Wage – State policies requiring contractors performing work on contracts procured by public entities or with a certain threshold of public funding to pay a government-determined prevailing wage to construction workers employed on a contract subject to the requirements. 
  • Right to Work – Right to Work law or other statutory protection of a worker’s right to secure employment without being forced to join a union.
  • Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) – State allows public sector entities to enter into contracts with private sector entities in which both sectors share the risk and revenue from a project.
  • Workforce Development – State provides financial incentives directly to employers or associations that train their workers through registered apprenticeship programs or other industry-recognized programs like those provided by NCCER (formerly the National Center for Construction Education and Research); state provides financial incentives to employers that hire workers that possess an industry-recognized credential or are a graduate of a registered apprenticeship program.
  • Education – State policy allows for flexible high school curriculum standards that promote rigorous and relevant skilled trades and career and technical education (CTE) opportunities for career readiness, as well as college preparation opportunities.
  • Job Growth Rate – Data provides the Compound Annual Growth Rate in construction from 2011 to 2015 using data from the month of August. States with a higher growth rate were given higher scores than states that had a low or negative growth rate.
  • Prompt Pay – State has public and private prompt pay requirements for owners and higher tier contractors to pay subcontractors.
  • Immigration/E-Verify  – Identifies states that require employers or state contractors to utilize E-Verify. ABC National’s immigration policy calls for federal preemption of state-level immigration-related requirements. 
  • State GDP – Percentage of state GDP directly resulting from nonresidential construction (2013).
  • 2013 Incidence Rate – Data tracks the 2013 incidence rate in construction, which is collected and reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is a lagging indicator, with 2013 being the most recent information reported through the BLS survey process. The rate is calculated as the number of incidents per 100 full-time workers. While this is important information to have on hand, it remains non-scored because the variables that affect incidence rates are numerous and require much greater context to demonstrate the specific conditions that lead to lower rates.
  • Occupational Safety and Health Oversight – State occupational safety and health entities versus states controlled by the federal Occupation Safety and Health Administration.
  • Construction Industry Unionization Rate – Data indicates how many and what percentage of a state’s construction workforce belonged to a labor union in 2014.

Visit their website and view the scores at www.meritshopscorecard.org.