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I want to do something worth remembering, even though in the grand scheme of things we are very small in this universe of ours. Construction management will help me leave something behind that will help future generations.

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Safety officer and construction manager would have a heart attack. However this illustrates teamwork very well, you need rely on other to get the job done and others have to rely on you.

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As a Construction Manager one of the major priorities is construction safety. Anything that will make this easier to obtain is a needed tool.

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Construction technology startup SmartSite has revealed a proprietary sensor-based system that construction companies can utilize to track potentially dangerous employee working conditions, according to TechCrunch.

The SmartSite system - which comes equipped with sensors, a microphone, laser particle counters and UV sensors - monitors noise levels, airborne particulates and UV rays, all of which can negatively affect the health and well-being of construction workers.

SmartSite, currently in the beta phase, said it is currently field-testing its system with multiple unnamed construction firms. The company is one of several Y Combinator startups, but it has not revealed how much funding it has raised so far.

Dive Insight:

SmartSite aims to reduce workers' construction-related health risks like cancer resulting from prolonged exposure to UV rays, skin and respiratory issues from airborne particulates and other health issues related to noise and vibration exposure. Company officials said that while construction firms want their employees to be healthy, they are also mindful of costs associated with a sick employee's time away from work and potential worker lawsuits.

Systems like SmartSite's could also help companies adhere to the spirit of recent OSHA rule changes around employee monitoring. For example, OSHA recently revised its silica rule, reducing allowed exposure from 250 micrograms per cubic meter over an eight-hour period to 50 micrograms. The new standard, which went into effect on June 23, also requires companies to monitor worker exposure and, in some instances, provide employee medical exams every three years. Silica, also called crystalline silica, is found in many substances common to a construction sites, such as soil, sand, granite and quartz. When blasted, cut or drilled, the resulting dust from these materials can cause respiratory problems for workers and even silicosis, a chronic lung disease.

In keeping with the agency's increased focus on worker safety, OSHA issued its new electronic record-keeping and reporting rule in May, which provides the public with easy access to companies' injury and illness records. OSHA said that making the records public is meant to "nudge" companies into making their workplaces safer, but the construction industry pushed back against the rule, maintaining that it had the potential to reveal private information and provided an out-of-context look at a company's safety record. One "anti-retaliation" provision of the rule limits post-accident drug and alcohol testing on the theory that these kinds of tests prevent workers from reporting workplace illnesses and injuries. After legal challenges from the construction industry, the agency decided to postpone its implementation.

Top image credit: Pixabay; cegoh

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Construction tech startup SmartSite tracks dangerous conditions to improve worker safety

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Construction technology startup SmartSite has revealed a proprietary sensor-based system that construction companies can utilize to track potentially dangerous employee working conditions, according to TechCrunch. The SmartSite system - which comes equipped with sensors, a microphone, laser particle counters and UV sensors - monitors noise levels, airborne particulates and UV rays, all of which can negatively affect the health and well-being of construction workers.

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The idea of wood for residential high rises to me is just a bad idea. Steel should be the way to go. But it's an interesting read.

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About 87% of the country's multifamily construction used wood framing in 2015, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Builders used steel framing, wood's closest competitor, about 4% of the time, with concrete, concrete insulated forms and other framing methods making up the balance. Therefore, earlier this month, when the city council in Sandy Springs, GA, decided to ban wood construction more than three stories high and larger than 100,000 square feet as of Aug. 16, that curve ball took the industry by surprise, particularly since there has been an uptick in high-rise planning using all wood.

"... when properly detailed, (wood framing) will last as long as steel."

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Cross-laminated timber (CLT) skyscrapers - or plyscrapers - are in the planning stages all over the world, from a 436-foot, 40-story tower in Stockholm Sweden, to an 80- story London high-rise almost 1,000 feet high. Proponents have said that these wood structures have the potential to fill an affordable housing gap in those urban centers and that they are more sustainable than their structural counterparts of steel and concrete. Getting ready to open in Minneapolis is what developers are calling "the first modern tall mass timber building" in the country, the seven-story T3. The U.S. Department of Agriculture even pushed the use of wood in construction last year through its sponsorship of the Tall Wood Building Competition in conjunction with the Softwood Lumber Board and Binational Softwood Lumber Council. Two winning teams, one from Portland, OR, and the other from New York City, were each awarded $1.5 million to help fund the development of their prize-winning designs. In addition, the USDA is backing wood as a viable material in the nonresidential sector to help boost employment in areas, mostly rural, that service the U.S. wood industry.

So when Sandy Springs officials said they were opting for noncombustible materials for the sake of safety, quality and longevity, as reported in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, were they signaling that they were on to something the rest of the industry wasn't, or did they get it wrong? As one can imagine, representatives from the wood, steel and concrete industries have a lot to say about that.

Wood vs. steel

"It's a very simple equation," said Kevin Lawlor, spokesman for the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association's Build with Strength initiative, in a press release following the decision. "The stronger the building materials you use, the safer occupants will be. The Sandy Springs Council set an example for the rest of the country."

However, no other municipalities that he knows of, said Ken Bland, vice president of codes and regulations at the American Wood Council, have excluded or are planning to exclude wood framing in such a manner. "It's hard to respond to Sandy Springs," he said, "since they really didn't provide any evidence that there are statistics to support the concerns with wood framing."

One of those concerns is fire safety. Wood buildings, as long as developers install fire sprinklers and build to code, Bland said, pose no more fire risk than any other type of construction. The major fire issue, however, said Rahim Zadeh, technical director for the Steel Stud Manufacturers Association,comes into play during construction, not after. The exposed wood, he said, creates a fire hazard that does not exist for steel-framed structures, with a small fire in just one part of the project potentially resulting in a total loss.

Human error, Bland said, such as welding that creates sparks or workers cooking in or near the building during construction, has been the culprit behind recent wood construction fires but said the AWC is trying to address those onsite missteps through an educational campaign at ConstructionFires.com. The program, Bland said, is intended to increase worker appreciation of the consequences of "being careless on the job site."
How to improve your company's approach to fire resilience​
Durability and longevity are other concerns cited by the Sandy Springs City Council, but Bland said buildings constructed with concrete and steel - for reasons other than one would think - don't hold an advantage over wood when it comes to how long buildings typically stand. Studies that looked at demolition permits, he said, found that it was noncombustible buildings that were being demolished sooner than those that were wood-framed. In addition, he said, "The durability issue doesn't really make sense to us because we know, when properly detailed, (wood framing) will last as long as steel."

Replacing materials before they fail

In countries all over the world, said Dr. Thang Dao, Civil, assistant professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering at the University of Alabama, wood structures last hundreds of years. Most historical buildings, he said, are wood, and, as technology improves, we have ways of preserving those structures and treating wood to make it last longer. But, he said, the question of longevity begs the question: How long do we expect (the life of a building) to be? Chances are, he said, the structures, no matter the material, will be replaced before it fails.

In addition to fire control, Zadeh cited other advantages of using steel, like termite resistance and a straighter and more consistent framework, especially when it comes to installing sheetrock on metal studs. Sustainability is another area where steel outperforms wood, he said. "Steel is more green because of the high recycle content of steel studs," Zadeh added. And wood advocates, he said, never discuss the ramifications of harvesting wood and clear cutting. "They take that out of the equation to make their product look better," he said. "They leave out the major factor of clearing out a whole ecosystem."

Deforestation in the U.S., said Bland, is a nonstarter as, according to the AWC, twice as much wood is grown each year as opposed to what is harvested. In addition, according to a U.S. Forest Service 2010 Resources Planning Act Assessment, the total volume of trees growing in U.S. forests has increased 50% since the 1950s. Carbon sequestration, Bland said, in which the carbon dioxide is stored in the harvested wood, thereby reducing the amount released into the atmosphere, is another plus.

One thing on which Bland, Zadeh and Dao agree, however, is that steel and concrete are more expensive to install than wood. In fact, wood's affordability is one of the factors that has contributed to its popularity among those building en masse. Just a small increase in the per-unit cost is enough to curb development and make it cost-prohibitive, which in Sandy Springs, an area that has seen a population growth spurt during the last few years might be a welcome relief.

Nevertheless, Dao said, the city council is being short-sighted if its change in building codes is intended to make structures safer and last longer. "If we see a problem we try to fix it instead of ban it," Dao said. "That's what research is for."

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Wood construction: How does it stack up?

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About 87% of the country's multifamily construction used wood framing in 2015, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Builders used steel framing, wood's closest competitor, about 4% of the time, with concrete, concrete insulated forms and other framing methods making up the balance.

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Green building is becoming a bigger thing in the construction industry as it should be. It is the future of construction and our planet.

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The immense size and scope of the Greenbuild conference in Washington, DC, this week demonstrates the ongoing transition of the green building movement away from the fringes and into mainstream practice. The atmosphere among the more than 20,000 people at the show seemed to include both a sense of accomplishment for reaching this point, as well as a drive to keep growing and making further progress.

One of the most notable changes in this year's Greenbuild event was the more pronounced presence of residential construction, from both the single-family and multifamily sectors. The National Association of Home Builders ramped up its participation in the event, and the housing section of the exhibit floor saw major expansion.

That stronger presence signals the residential industry's shift toward accepting and utilizing more green practices. Although commercial construction has typically led the pack in green adoption, the residential sector is starting to catch up. And the reason for that change is driven not just by a desire to produce environmentally friendly structures, but by consumer demand, higher-quality results and lifecycle cost savings.

The numbers don't lie

Donna Laquidara-Carr, industry insights research director for Dodge Data & Analytics, presented findings from Dodge's recent green and healthy home market reports during the show.

She noted that green building currently accounts for 26-33% of the total residential market and has helped contribute to the industry's recovery after the recession.

Dodge surveyed 232 single-family builders and remodelers from the NAHB to explore trends and predictions for the growing market.

The survey found that builders expect to be doing significantly more green work in the coming years, as more than half of respondents expect to do more than 60% green projects by 2020. Remodelers are lagging slightly behind builders in green predictions, as only about a third predicted doing more than 60% green work by 2020.

But why do builders have an outlook of such significant growth in green building? It's largely driven by consumer demand, according to Laquidara-Carr. About 69% of builders and 78% of remodelers indicated they believe customers will pay more for green.

Consumer expectations about green homes are transforming the marketplace

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The other factors driving green building growth, as reported by the survey respondents, include: energy cost increases, green product availability and affordability, the fact that appraisers recognize greater value in green homes, code/ordinance/regulation changes and higher quality.

However, despite these predictions of the sector's major growth, one challenge has emerged as a threat to wider adoption: green building costs. Last year, 58% of builders and remodelers reported a higher cost of building green of 5% or more. And 77% of them expected to see that high of a percentage in 2016.

Laquidara-Carr cited the industry-wide labor shortage as the culprit of these higher costs. "We really think that a lot of this is driven by concerns about labor costs and getting the right qualified people to do green projects," she said.

Another notable aspect of Dodge's study found that buyer knowledge about homes leads to wider use of healthier design and products. Dodge's research found that consumers ages 60 or older led every category of energy efficient product usage by far, which coincided with the inverse, as that age group had the smallest percentage of people who reported having no knowledge of sustainable products.

These findings signal that people with more experience living in homes become more knowledgeable about what that home should include.

"We think knowledge is critical. Owning a home teaches you a lot," Laquidara-Carr said. "We think that as millennials get into homes and understand them, these products will gain in importance. But if there's anything the industry can do to bring millennials up faster and understand it better, it will help drive (quicker adoption)."

Going forward, Laquidara-Carr said she is confident green building will continue to pick up steam in residential construction. "The builder and remodeler commitment to green homes continues to grow, and consumer expectations about green homes are transforming the marketplace," she said. "Clearly, the industry is thinking green is the direction to go."

A homebuilder diving in

Jacob Atalla, vice president of sustainability initiatives for KB Home, presented the company as a prime example of how green construction can benefit the homebuilder and buyer.

He stressed the point that "all consumers love green," as everyone cares about either environmental impact or saving "green" in their wallets from reduced utility bills and energy-efficient features that pay for themselves after a few years. "We think we have dialed in a strategy that addresses both," Atalla said.

KB Home, one of the largest homebuilders in the U.S., built its first Energy Star-certified home in 2001 and has "amped up" its commitment to sustainability ever since. The company has focused on educating potential buyers about the cost savings that come with their green homes, as well as exploring new territory, such as net-zero homes, to entice environmentally conscious consumers to choose their products.

"It is important to always figure out, 'What does the consumer want?' We keep figuring how to adjust, and we keep moving forward," Atalla said.

Choosing to expand its sustainable home division was also a smart business choice for KB Home, according to Atalla, as it helped distinguish the builder's products from the other properties on the market during the recession, when most available homes were older and inefficient. "Sustainability was a great way to differentiate us from the resale homes," he said.

The key thing is to leverage our scale to make sustainability affordable to the customer

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KB Home markets its green homes to potential buyers through four main areas: energy efficiency, water efficiency, healthier homes and smarter homes. Those categories can help grab prospective customers and convince them to see the benefit in sustainable structures.

"The key thing is to leverage our scale to make sustainability affordable to the customer," Atalla said.

And in recent years, KB Home has increased its research and development of net-zero homes to explore the most cost-effective materials and techniques to reach that level. Atalla said that between 2010 - when the company built its first net-zero home - and 2015, it has been able to cut construction costs by 50% and cycle time by 75%. "We're reducing the cost and getting ready for the future," he said.

Developers who aren't afraid to experiment

Although single-family construction was a significant focus of Greenbuild, multifamily also presents an opportunity for major change in its construction practices.

Les Bluestone, owner of Blue Sea Development Company in New York City, has embraced the green building trend for his company's multifamily buildings and experimented with the newest innovations.

Bluestone said green building can benefit developers by offering seals of approval on a project from third-party certification groups, by allowing the building to be ahead of increasingly stringent building codes, and by creating a higher-quality structure.

He has also seen his share of challenges, including rising construction costs, complicated standards, and the fact that savings over time might not be as enticing for renters with less permanency in the space.

Bluestone said his company has used modular bathrooms for buildings, Google Nest thermostats and even green roofs at times.

We've tried and kept trying, and that's what you have to do to stay alive in this market

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Beyond the environmental benefits of green building, Bluestone has also explored the health benefits of these new practices and building features. He said he has seen positive results constructing buildings that promote health through healthy indoor air quality, access to fitness areas and an active design, and access to fresh produce and gardening options.

But overall, Bluestone said he has explored these new green building methods to keep up with the rapidly evolving industry. "We've tried and kept trying, and that's what you have to do to stay alive in this market," he said.

And despite the challenges that come with green building, he expects it to become a standard in the construction industry. "I'm looking forward to the day when we take (green) out of our vocabulary and say, 'This is just what we do.' "

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Profits: The emerging motive for builders and developers to embrace green building

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The immense size and scope of the Greenbuild conference in Washington, DC, this week demonstrates the ongoing transition of the green building movement away from the fringes and into mainstream practice. The atmosphere among the more than 20,000 people at the show seemed to include both a sense of accomplishment for reaching this point, as well as a drive to keep growing and making further progress.

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Construction is always changing, from our labor force, to the technology we use everyday. Staying up on current events will keep you ahead of the game.

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Now that 2015 has come and gone, construction professionals are focusing attention on the year ahead. Analysts predict 2016 will be a strong year for the industry, as Dodge Data & Analytics' 2016 Construction Outlook report predicted 6% growth, with the value of construction starts reaching an estimated $712 billion.

We talked with experts from various sectors of the construction industry to find out their predictions for 2016. Their answers varied from new technology trends, to workforce concerns, to homebuyer preferences. But one common thread connected all of the experts: They have high hopes that 2016 will bring strong demand and booming business.

"I don't think I could be any more optimistic for 2016," Bud LaRosa, chief business performance officer and chief financial officer for Tocci Building Companies, told Construction Dive. "These are truly the good times."

Here are the top 10 trends to watch in 2016, according to the experts:

1. Skilled labor shortage will continue to plague construction companies

The most commonly mentioned trend for 2016 was the continued effects of the skilled worker shortage. A significant portion of employees who left the industry during the recession never returned, and companies are still struggling to find workers at all levels to properly staff their teams.

"The overwhelming, number one issue is access to skilled labor," Dominic Thasarathar, Autodesk's senior industry program manager for construction and natural resources, told Construction Dive. "So many people left the industry or were laid off, and now there's a real struggle to find the right people to staff the projects that are now coming online."

The overwhelming, number one issue is access to skilled labor

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The labor crisis is not a new issue, and most experts predict it will continue well into 2016 and beyond, as the talent deficit will require multiple years to fill up again.

"Not only has the construction industry struggled to appeal to a younger, more technologically savvy workforce, but during the economic downturn, many companies opted not to bring in younger, newer talent," said Tom Menk, an assurance partner with BDO's national real estate and construction practice. "Now, that's causing struggles to fill that gap in the workforce, which is coupled with the need across industries for companies to replace retiring baby boomers."

Another significant concern: The slowdown in immigration has contributed to the already existing labor shortage, as reports have found many workers who returned to Mexico during the recession have not come back to the U.S. due to increased immigration controls and more job opportunities in Mexico.

"I think politically, the environment against immigration has changed some of the workforce dynamics and made it difficult to staff a lot of the trades," LaRosa said. "I think that trend continues. I don't see that easing anytime in the next two to three years."

2. Prefab/offsite construction methods will become more popular

Offsite - also known as modular or prefabricated - construction has been gaining ground as an alternative building method that offers the benefits of reduced construction time, less waste and possible cost savings. As companies struggle to staff job sites and stick to difficult schedules, many have started to turn to prefab as an option that offers more certainty.

"A lot of use of things like prefabrication, we expect that to be an accelerating trend next year," Thasarathar said.

Ron Antevy, president and CEO of e-Builder, told Construction Dive he has seen a growing use of prefab methods, especially in the healthcare sector.

"(Prefab) is up-and-coming. That's a way to save costs and speed up the time," he said. "Some of the larger owners out there are starting to realize there are efficiencies there, but you have to be doing a certain amount of volume for these kinds of strategies to pay off."

Wider implementation of offsite construction has been somewhat hindered by the design and construction culture, according to experts at the Offsite Construction Expo in September. They also cited the change in the traditional building process that comes with offsite methods as a deterrent for implementing the approach, as contractors and owners struggle to adapt to the varied timeline of decisions and building. Still, the additional certainty that comes with prefab could catalyze the growing trend in 2016.

3. Construction companies will be more cautious about project selection

The crippling recession and lingering labor shortage have spurred another trend among construction industry decision makers: Many are now being more cautious about the amount of new work they can handle, and about growing their companies.

We as general contractors have become a lot more selective of the projects we pursue

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"(Companies) are not going to overeat. They're only taking the work they can handle," Chris Kennedy, vice president of Suffolk Construction, told Construction Dive. "It's different from the last boom, when people were signing up for work. Everybody still has those recent wounds. They're going to be a lot more cautious about growing a firm bigger than they can handle."

The labor shortage has left employers at all levels forced to take a closer look at the number and size of projects they can handle at once.

"We as general contractors have become a lot more selective of the projects we pursue," Chuck Taylor, director of operations for Englewood Construction, told Construction Dive. "I think the subcontractors are going to be in a very similar position."

4. BIM will become a necessity, and owner interest in the technology will grow

Building Information Modeling has been a growing trend for years, as it is no longer relegated to just the largest firms. Experts have said BIM provides tangible business benefits, no matter the level of implementation. Many have cited BIM's ability to provide more consistent, more accurate and less time-consuming project document generation. In addition, BIM users can expect better collaboration and coordination among the different parties involved in a project, according to industry users.

"It used to be a nice thing to have, and now it's a necessity," LaRosa said.

Jay Dacey, president of Integrated Builders, added, "In the bigger jobs, BIM is pretty much a staple right now."

Antevy said he has seen owner interest in BIM grow, as many are now requiring their contractors to utilize the technology.

"The owners have been hands-off as it relates to BIM. It has been for the contractors and designers, so we're seeing owners start to get more interested in that," he said. "They're interested because there's data there that they can capture and capitalize on."

5. Green building will grow in commercial and residential sectors

Commercial construction has typically led the pack in green adoption, but the residential sector is starting to catch up. The growing trend in both sectors is driven not just by a desire to produce environmentally friendly structures, but by consumer demand, higher-quality results and lifecycle cost savings, according to experts at Greenbuild 2015.

Thasarathar said that with larger construction projects, companies are aiming for LEED certification, "even if it's not prescribed."

Dacey added that although developments outside of city centers tend to not prioritize LEED as much, "almost every building design incorporates green principles." He said he expects green building and LEED certification to continue growing in the coming years.

In the residential sector, green building currently accounts for 26-33% of the total residential market and has helped contribute to the industry's recovery after the recession, according to Dodge Data & Analytics.

"I do think (green building) is a growing trend in response to demand," Robert Dietz, an economist with the National Association of Home Builders, told Construction Dive. He pointed to the aging in place movement as a driving force for that demand, as baby boomers are remodeling their current homes and seeking out ways to increase energy efficiency and reduce utility bills.

6. Jobsite accidents and criminal indictments on the rise

Last year, authorities across the U.S. pumped up efforts to seek out contractor misconduct and dish out severe punishment, including criminal charges, for violations and offenses from worker safety issues to corruption. Manhattan even launched the Construction Fraud Task Force in August to investigate "wrongdoing and unsafe practices" in construction, including fraud, bribery, extortion, money laundering, bid rigging, larceny and safety violations. A New York Times report in November also found that construction worker deaths are on the rise in New York City, and safety measures were inadequate on many of the construction sites where deaths occurred and that immigrants represented a disproportionate percentage of those killed.

This will lead to more entry level, unseasoned construction workers not appropriately trained

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Experts predict this heightened focus on industry wrongdoing will continue into 2016, especially as OSHA will increase its fines this year for the first time since 1990.

Raymond T. Mellon, a senior partner at Zetlin & De Chiara, said he believes construction accidents will increase in New York City this year due to "a dilution of the trained and experienced work force as a result of the continuing red hot construction market." He added, "This will lead to more entry level, unseasoned construction workers not appropriately trained as to the work itself, as well as safety features, on worksites. Combine this with the entry of 'novice developers' who have a tendency to cut corners, and you have the potential for more accidents."

David Pfeffer, chair of the Construction Practice Group at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin, said he predicts there will be more criminal indictments in 2016 because officials "want to make an example." He added that although indictments this year with be the result of past practices, he believes the influx of cases will "help in the long-term future. It definitely has an effect... We have a very good construction industry here. They do listen. The bad contractors generally don't stick around."
SEE ALSO: 'No accident is acceptable': How to foster an effective construction site safety culture
7. Booming multifamily sector will slow down as single-family sector picks up steam

Industry analysts have largely agreed that the multifamily sector's hot streak will inevitably cool down, and that slowdown will likely occur in 2016. On the positive side, the single-family sector is expected to pick up steam and see a strong year. In its 2016 Construction Outlook, Dodge Data predicted single-family construction will see a 20% increase in starts this year, while multifamily is expected to post a 7% gain after several years of double-digit increases.

"I expect the homebuilding sector will continue to show improvement. If anything happens on the multifamily side, I think it will probably level off. The upward slope for multifamily won't be as strong as for single-family," Alex Carrick, CMD's chief economist, told Construction Dive.

Still, single-family housing has a long way to go to return to pre-recession, "normal" levels. During a webinar in November, NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe said single-family construction is currently 53% back to what is considered "normal" levels, and should be 91% of the way there by the end of 2017. Multifamily, on the other hand, is already significantly higher than "normal" levels, currently 32% above the mark. Crowe said the multifamily sector is expected to slowdown in the next two years, coming in 9% higher than "normal" levels at the end of 2017.

8. Laser scanning technology will gain popularity

Although BIM tends to dominate the construction technology narrative, experts pointed to another emerging technology that is having a significant impact on the industry: laser scanning. 3-D laser scanners can create a digital reproduction of the dimensions and positions of objects in a certain space, and then turn that information into a point cloud image.

"Laser scanning I think has a lot of room to run. Not as many people are using it, but it's a great tool to measure more precisely than most conventional ways," LaRosa said. "What the laser scanner allows you to do is get millions of data points and put that into a building information model and provide much more information about conditions you couldn't get previously. Look for that to continue to grow certainly next year and for another five years."
SEE ALSO: 3 concepts that will shape the future of construction
Taylor added that laser technology allows contractors to precisely "define to the client where we had issues with the existing floor," and then make the necessary changes.

9. Remodeling will have a strong year, especially in the luxury market

Along with strength in the single-family market this year, experts also predict the remodeling sector will have a banner year in 2016.

Through all of the ups and downs, this is the first time I feel very comfortable

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"We're encouraged by recent data that shows consumers have a strong desire to invest in their homes. In fact, survey respondents are indicating that growth in their home improvement spending is outpacing increases in their overall spending," Mike Horn, vice president of Lowe's ProServices, told Construction Dive. "The number of homeowners indicating that their home improvement spending increased has doubled since 2012. This trend underscores the great opportunity our professional contractors have to meet the needs of 75 million homeowners, in addition to the 5 million who relocate or move into a new home each year, across the country increasingly willing to engage in home improvement in 2016."

Bob Ernst, president of the Building & Remodeling Association of Greater Boston, said he projects significant growth in the remodeling sector this year.

"Through all of the ups and downs, this is the first time I feel very comfortable," he told Construction Dive.

Ernst emphasized the luxury market in particular as offering the most opportunity for remodelers. "At that market level, they're spending money," he said. He noted, however, that the middle and lower markets haven't reached the demand level exhibited in luxury markets, as people in those markets are still struggling to save up enough money for their homes. "People serving primarily those markets might not have as rosy of an outlook," he said.

10. Homebuyers will seek out simple, walkable communities

Last month, the American Institute of Architects released the results of its third-quarter Home Design Trends Survey and found that design elements such as access to public transportation, multi-generational housing, walkable neighborhoods and mixed-use facilities dominate homeowner preferences. "There has been a pronounced shift in driving habits over the last few years, with increasing numbers of people being far more interested walking and utilizing public transit options," AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker said in a release. "With that is a desire for proximity to employment and commercial activities."

The AIA survey coincided with a National Association of Realtors survey over the summer that found walkable communities are growing in popularity among Americans of all ages, particularly millennials. Based on the results of the survey, the NAR advised developers aiming to reach the millennial demographic to consider building attached homes within walking distance of shops and restaurants and nearby public transportation. Baby boomers have reportedly expressed similar desires for their homes, as a Washington Post report in October found retiring baby boomers are downsizing and buying smaller homes in urban areas at twice the rate of millennials.

Jerry James, president of Edward R. James Homes, said he predicts baby boomers will continue to drive the new-home construction market this year. He agreed with the NAR and AIA predictions and said he believes boomers want "simplification" driven by a desire to live in locations that allow them to walk to nearby restaurants and shops.

Stay informed.

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10 construction industry trends to watch in 2016

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Now that 2015 has come and gone, construction professionals are focusing attention on the year ahead. Analysts predict 2016 will be a strong year for the industry, as Dodge Data & Analytics' 2016 Construction Outlook report predicted 6% growth, with the value of construction starts reaching an estimated $712 billion.

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This is an interesting way to close off the construction site to the general public.

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Now to win a federal contract you will have to fulfill stricture guidelines in regards to worker safety and civil rights.

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The ability to communicate is becoming easier and faster then ever. Being able to share documents at a blink of an eye allows us work faster and efficiently.

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How Technology is changing the game of Construction right before our eyes.

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Six Technologies that Could Change the Construction Industry - Videos

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Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or better know as LEED Construction. It is a Globally recognized certification that will help save the environment and money in the overall scheme of things

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About LEED | U.S. Green Building Council

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This photo is a building that was constructed by Turner Construction. It is the Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care building. It was awarded a LEED Silver award. I would love to be apart of something that will change the lives of so many people for the better.

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This article gave me a way to start my search for companies that I would like to work for.

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HOK, Perkins+Will, Turner Construction Co., The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Jacobs, and Thornton Tomasetti top Building Design+Construction's annual ranking of the nation's largest BIM AEC firms, as reported in the 2016 Giants 300 Report.

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BIM GIANTS: A ranking of the nation's top BIM design and construction firms

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HOK, Perkins+Will, Turner Construction Co., The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Jacobs, and Thornton Tomasetti top Building Design+Construction's annual ranking of the nation's largest BIM AEC firms, as reported in the 2016 Giants 300 Report.

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Invictus, LLC is a Construction firm that was established in 2004 and is a Veteran owned business, that is based out of New York City. I believe that this good exposure to different types of construction.

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U.W. Marx does Construction Management, General Contracting, and Design build. They have been serving the capital district area for 65 years. It seems like a company that I would like to work for. Capable of LEED Construction projects.

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U.W. Marx is a leader in construction services and through our specialized approach, we are able to promote great architectural designs within budget, and then carry through in the details, allowing for efficient and quality construction in the field.

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It would be amazing to have this as your your office, no need for the corner office anymore.

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Construction is a tight nit group, the comradery with one another is different compared to any other profession besides the military.

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Technology making Construction Industry even better

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Renewable Energy 2016 | Resources of Renewable Energy Science Documentry

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New Construction Technology Automatic Brick Paving Machine 2015

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We surveyed 147 architecture, engineering, and construction professionals to forecast tech trends in design and construction over the next few years. Visit http://www.e-arc.com/ to learn more.

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This is crazy, this is the tallest bridge in the world. I couldn't imagine being apart of that project.

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The Millau Viaduct bridge is the tallest bridge in the world with one mast's summit at 343.0 metres (1,125 ft) above the base of the structure. It is the 12th highest bridge deck in the world, being 270 metres (890 ft) between the road deck and the ground below.

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Bridges are very cool works of art and engineering, which I would love to be apart of.

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frederick douglass - susan b. anthony memorial bridge

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Photos and information about High Steel's bridge projects.

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To be able to make something that will not quick until the people do, would pretty sweet.

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Consigli is capable of new construction but also renovation of existing buildings, ranging from schools, medical, commercial and even museums.

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Construction company | Office locations | Consigli

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The largest family-owned construction company and general contractor in New England, Consigli has locations from the Northeast to the Mid-Atlantic.

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Staying motivated, and determined on the end goal

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I want to be financially stable to be able to provide for my wife and kids. If and when I do become a husband and a father.

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Solar energy is a great and green way to produce electricity. Being able to make it transparent will change the world forever.

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Invisible Solar Cells That Could Power Skyscrapers

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Instead of building things up this Company takes buildings and structures apart, which is a different look at construction.

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Demolition Contractors, Rigging Services, Wrecking, Plant & Machinery Moving

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R. Baker & Son provides building demolition, dismantling, rigging and plant relocation contractors companies services, New York City (NYC)

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I think being a construction manager to blow stuff up would be awesome.

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Red Road Flats Demolition Huge Dust Cloud

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Demolition experts use almost a ton of explosives to implode the 116 meter AFE Tower in Frankfurt, Germany. Special thanks to Christian Cyfus. vimeo.com/christiancyfus Shot 100% on the HERO3+® camera from ‪http://GoPro.com. Get stoked and subscribe: http://goo.gl/HgVXpQ

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Design Bid Build Vs. Design Build

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Explains the difference between typically architectural firms and design-build firms and the inherent benefits of design-build as opposed to using an architectural firm.

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Looking at what makes a better leader and a project manager.

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Good vs Bad Project Managers - Project Management

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This gave me a better understanding of the chain of command is in Construction.

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This video gives you a better look on why I want to be a Construction Manager.

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BCI Construction, Inc. is a newer Construction Company in the Albany area, Established in 1993. which is where I would most likely would want to stay. This Companies expertise spans the entire general construction services.

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BCI Construction, Inc. | General Construction | Management | Consulting - Albany, New York

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I know you can't avoid working at a desk in most professions, however in construction management you can limit the amount of time you are there to go out into the field.

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It's amazing to watch the amount of work that goes into taking down a build and rebuilding an entire new structure in it's place.

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Official Minnesota Vikings U.S. Bank Stadium Construction Time-Lapse

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Official Panama Canal Expansion Time Lapse

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Minnesota Vikings U.S. Bank Stadium Time-Lapse

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Following the roof enclosure in November 2015, construction of U.S. Bank Stadium is 80% complete. As the project nears the end zone, watch and share the Minnesota Vikings' stadium journey from Metrodome deflation to U.S. Bank Stadium roof installation with EarthCam's time-lapse!

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I love this country, and want to make it a better place

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Whiting -Turner Construction would be another great option in the all around Construction of amazing and innovative structures . This company has a lot to offer in knowledge and opportunity to prosper as a construction manager.

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Since 1909, the firm has been guided by the principles of integrity, excellence and customer delight in the delivery of construction services.

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Barnard Construction is one of the leading companies in damns, tunnels, pipe lines, and power transmission in the world. It would be a great company to work for because each work site would be different and a different area of the country and you would know that your work is making a big impact on the surrounding communities once the job is complete.

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That's what we do at Barnard. Whether we're raising a dam in Alaska, constructing a reservoir in Florida, tunneling under downtown San Francisco, redirecting a river while building a complex hydropower plant in northern Manitoba, or strengthening and improving the integrity of a natural gas pipeline in a Sacramento suburb, our people arrive at our projects with a determination to do the best for their communities and be the best in the industry.

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P1: It would be amazing to be apart of a company that could build something so memorable.

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Callanan Industries Inc. has been the leading company in aggregates, asphalt and concrete for the Capital District Area. It's a different type of construction, however is very needed. Making a difference in the communities infrastructure. I want to make a difference in the world even if it's a small part of it.

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home - Albany,, NY - Callanan Industries, Inc.

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Turner Construction does it all. Ranging from Commercial buildings all the way to religious buildings. This variety in projects will give me the opportunity to learn and grow as a manager in the Construction Industry. Capable of LEED Construction projects.

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Turner has a culture of innovation and promotes advances in technology, sustainability, lean practices, building information modeling, safety, community involvement, learning and development, and knowledge sharing.