Construction businesses today do not have the margins to write-off cost overruns or unpaid contract balances as they could have in the past when there were more projects and higher profits. More parties are willing to fight for the last dollar. These disputes can add up, and the attorney’s fees can be disproportionately large. Without a compromise or other alternative, construction businesses must proceed with litigation and hope to manage attorney’s fees so they do not approach -- or exceed -- the amount in dispute. But there are other options. The American Arbitration Association, or AAA, and JAMS, the “Resolution
The economy is getting better and hopefully you’ve mostly survived the bloodbath that has been the last year. Most businesses have used this time to “trim the fat,” “refocus,” and “expand their expertise.” I was recently asked by a job seeker about what he could do to make himself more marketable. The reality is, at least in most firms, that there aren’t going to be a lot of jobs for a while. My firm has reduced everyone to four-day work weeks. So, even if the economy does completely rebound, we’ve got a built-in ability to expand our workforce 20% without
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Dallas-based McCarthy Building Cos. Inc. began construction earlier this year on the $47-million Fort Worth Westside Water Treatment Plant, which will have an initial treatment capacity of 12-million-gallons of water per day. It will be expandable to meet the future needs of western Fort Worth. It is slated for completion in January 2012. Related Links: Poor Economy Doesn’t Slow Student Housing Construction GSA Awards Beck Technology $60M in BIM, Laser Scanning Contracts Dallas Museum of Nature & Science Unveils Designs, Building Model Satterfield & Pontikes Tops Out at Texas A&M Health Science Center Sinking Texas Gulf Coast Condos Razed Before
Complying with the Clean Water Act and keeping waters of the United States free of pollution is the goal behind an agreement signed today by TEXO, the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the Associated General Contractors and the Associated Builders and Contractors, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Related Links: EPA, TCEQ Adds Terrell Warehouse to Superfund Clean-Up Sites World’s Largest Wind Farm Opens in Roscoe Fluor Enables Solar Plant to Reach First Production in 20 Months KBDJ Quarry Earns Industry Awards for Environmental Operations Port of Houston Reduces TxDOT Project by Half Million Under state
Houston-based Whirlwind Building Components was selected as the 2009 Best of Freeport Award in the Building Materials category by the U.S. Commerce Association. The USCA Best of Local Business award program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country annually. The USCA identifies companies it believes have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category and that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community. Related Links: Port of Galveston Names Director of Gov Relations, Legislative Affairs Is the U.S. Falling Behind Europe in the Green Race? HCSS of Sugar Land Among
Chicago-based E.ON Climate and Renewables completed what it has called the world’s largest wind farm outside of Sweetwater near the community of Roscoe. Related Links: EPA, TCEQ Adds Terrell Warehouse to Superfund Clean-Up Sites Fluor Enables Solar Plant to Reach First Production in 20 Months DFW Contractors Sign Agreement to Keep Waters Pollution-Free KBDJ Quarry Earns Industry Awards for Environmental Operations Port of Houston Reduces TxDOT Project by Half Million The Roscoe wind complex has an installed capacity of 781.5 megawatts, generating enough electricity to power more than 230,000 homes. According to E.ON, completing the wind farm required more than
State transportation officials approved the selection of 10 projects across the state that will be funded by TxDOT’s pass-through finance program, which allows local municipalities or private entities to pay for a transportation project and get reimbursed from the state. The Texas Transportation Commission approved the an estimated $273 million for projects statewide. Related Links: TxDOT to Lose $742 Million in Federal Funding Sterling Construction Awarded $20-Million Collin County Project NTTA Opens Seven-Mile Segment of Sam Rayburn Tollway HNTB, Central Texas Mobility Authority Renew Partnership Texas Sterling Starts IH-610/North Loop Reconstruction Project
Diane Falcioni stepped in to the position of director of governmental relations and legislative affairs for the Port of Galveston. Related Links: Is the U.S. Falling Behind Europe in the Green Race? Whirlwind Building Components Receives Best of Freeport Award HCSS of Sugar Land Among 15 Top U.S. Small Workplaces $10 Million Gift Provided Toward The Trinity Project in Dallas Walter P Moore’s Raymond Messer Enters Carroll College Hall of Fame Past President AGC of Texas, Charles Schmidt, Dies at Age 79 LJA Engineering Returns to 2929 Briarpark After Hurricane Ike Lewis Equipment Files for Bankruptcy Protection Stanley Consultants Named