For contractors needing to renew their insurance policies, the process is going to be difficult or manageable depending on where they work. For contractors operating in such subprime swamps as Florida, Nevada, California, North Carolina or Arizona, commercial and liability insurance will likely prove harder and more expensive than in past years. In some states, however, contractors are finding it easier to renew—but not for heart-warming reasons.. So many small contractors have gone under that insurance providers suddenly have to compete for clients. In Texas, financially stable firms with decent backlogs aren’t finding it particularly difficult to renew or expand
WHITLEY Even in today’s difficult economic climate, the federal government is planning, funding and building projects. This may appeal to otherwise private commercial contractors and subcontractors seeking to fill the void left by the recession. Contracting with the federal government can be profitable, but it can also be dangerous for those new to the process. The following are just a few examples of complex federal contracting laws to consider and should be fully understood by before entering the world of federal contracting. Authority Structure The authority structure of the federal government is rigid and must be respected. Different government personnel
As many commercial contractors know, construction management-at-risk (or CM-at-risk) has become a preferred delivery method in many markets such as education and health care. CM-at-risk engages the builder early in the development process and entails a commitment by the contractor to deliver the project within a guaranteed maximum price, or GMP. In Texas, CM-at-risk has been primarily limited to commercial construction in the public sector; but in 2007, legislation changed the definition of what makes a project eligible for CM-at-risk delivery. CM-at-risk is now an option for public agencies responsible for infrastructure such as water utilities, flood control, transit and
Skanska USA announced that its building unit in San Antonio was the recipient of multiple health-care construction awards at the 2009 Annual Excellence in Construction Competition hosted by the Associated Builders and Contractors of South Texas. Skanska won the Mega Projects Award, the Healthcare Award, the Institutional Award and the Gold S.T.E.P. Award for Safety. Skanska USA also announced it has completed construction on the Texas Southmost College Arts Center Building in Brownsville. MIYAKODA MENDENHALL LONG TBG Partners promoted employees at three of its four Texas offices. In Dallas/Fort Worth, Kent T. Mendenhall was promoted to principal; in Houston, Yan
Hill International with headquarter’s in Houston, recently acquired Boyken International Inc., which also has offices in Houston. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Donald R. Boyken, Boyken International CEO, will serve as senior vice president and south regional manager for Hill’s Project Management Group. Related Links: Building IT Into Construction Dallas Logistics Hub Buildings Achieve Gold LEED Certification STV Acquires Dallas-Based Civil Structures Inc. TxDOT Selects Leader for New Rail Division BNSF Names Dean Wise Vice President, Network Strategy HKS, Hill & Wilkinson, Complete Dallas’ Ronald McDonald House Yates Construction Relocates North Texas Office Operations
With Building Information Modeling, or BIM, swiftly becoming the newest technological advance for the construction industry, McGraw-Hill Construction in Texas recently invited leading A/E/C firms and owners to share ways in which they are using BIM and where it is providing benefits on their projects. Photo: Tonie Auer Fred Cardenas, virtual design and construction manager for Austin Commercial, address the conference in Las Colinas. Two events, “BIM: The Future of Construction – Healthcare,” were held recently in Las Colinas on March 3 and in Houston on March 4. These conferences spotlighted industry leaders who provided the latest information in real-time
With offices in Austin and San Antonio, O’Connell Robertson earned a 2009 Greater Austin Business Award for its contributions and philanthropy to support education. Related Links: Turner Construction Grows Green Business Sterling Construction Completes $65M Purchase of Utah’s RLW Overhead Door Corp. Acquires Wayne-Dalton’s Door Business ‘Real Men Drive Pink’ Promotes Male Breast Cancer Awareness McKinney’s Greenhaven Earns LEED for Homes Silver Certification Gonzales Wins AASHTO Public Transportation Honor Lubbock’s Lee Lewis Construction Wins CNA Leadership Safety Award Fort Worth Intermodal Airport, AllianceTexas, Celebrates 20 Years Re:Vision Dallas Competition Selects Winner for Inner-City Project Construction and Real Estate Consulting Firm
Dallas-based Jaster-Quintanilla completed a merger with Mehta West Brasher Group LLC of Dallas and has assignments from Austin to Arlington. Among them is the Armed Forces Guard and Reserve Center at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport with Turner-Hickey & Associates. The $40-million construction project includes a three-level 209,000-sq-ft center with a vehicle maintenance facility and storage building. Related Links: Dallas ISD Taps SHW for New High School Campus Design The Stayton at Museum Way Secures $165 Million Aries Capital Invests $22 Million in San Antonio River Walk Austin’s Perry Brooks Building Shows Off New Facelift Smith Seckman Reid Awarded GSA BIM Contract
Houston-based Venturi Outcomes opened a Houston office led by Lorrie Foreman. The firm offers cost evaluation, forensic accounting and negotiation services. The firm also conducts time-delay analysis and schedule evaluation to identify hidden costs, recover lost time and restore project momentum. Related Links: Turner Construction Grows Green Business Sterling Construction Completes $65M Purchase of Utah’s RLW Overhead Door Corp. Acquires Wayne-Dalton’s Door Business ‘Real Men Drive Pink’ Promotes Male Breast Cancer Awareness McKinney’s Greenhaven Earns LEED for Homes Silver Certification Gonzales Wins AASHTO Public Transportation Honor Lubbock’s Lee Lewis Construction Wins CNA Leadership Safety Award Fort Worth Intermodal Airport, AllianceTexas,
Longview Bridge and Road Ltd. was the apparent low bidder on Segment 5 of Tyler District’s Toll 49 project, which runs approximately 2.5 mi between FM 756 and SH 110 in Whitehouse. The project is scheduled to break ground by early March and take approximately two-and-a-half years to complete. Related Links: Dallas Bridge Construction Gets Thumbs Up Transportation Commission OKs 74 New Projects Worth $2 Billion Construction Begins on $1B DFW Connector Project Arlington's FM 157/Collins Street Bridge at IH-30 Opens The $15.6-million project was made possible by funding from Proposition 14, which borrows money against future gas tax revenues
RSS