When something is stamped, "Made in China" no one believes that is a mark of quality. Considering China's notorious construction history, we would have to pause if we saw that same stamp on a construction project. If Chinese construction causes us to pause, then why, at a time when the U.S. infrastructure is aging and our construction industry is struggling to find opportunities and recover, are significant projects being awarded to foreign construction companies, particularly those from China?

read more

Even in the U.S.A., bigger is not always better.  The U.S.A. should demonstrate its global leadership in the construction and development fields by letting other nations waste money chasing the trophy of the "world's tallest building," and instead focusing on constructing better and greener office buildings that serve as models for the world and that bring real economic benefits for developers and owners. 

read more

Construction industry participants should consider modifying their contracts to include language incorporating sustainable building practices, but removing language requiring formal certification by a third-party ratings body.  read more

What would happen to your construction company’s bottom line if the cost of the material you use most in your building projects increased dramatically?  This is a question your company should be prepared to answer in light of an attempted multi-billion dollar takeover in the U.S. aggregates industry that would combine the nation's largest two aggregates producers and which could dramatically alter the supply and price of aggregates throughout the United States.

read more

What would you do if you were denied a certificate of occupancy because a private company decided your building was not “green” enough?  While this may seem far-fetched, it is a question you may have to answer if you work in one of the numerous municipalities that have adopted the U.S. Green Building Council’s “LEED” rating system for sustainable “green” construction as part of their building codes.

read more

Local government and owners can help the construction industry get back to work through changes to zoning ordinances to allow for green development or green remodeling. read more

The Alabama Code (the "Code") and the Alabama State Licensing Board for General Contractors (the "Board") are the two authorities that give contractors the right to work on commercial projects in Alabama. However, in some circumstances, a contractor that holds a valid license may not actually be licensed to perform the work for which it contracted. This could void the contract and the contractor could go unpaid. These licensing restrictions also may apply where a contractor wants to perform work as a subcontractor. The contractor better have the license for the limited work in intends to perform as a subcontractor or again the contract could be void. read more

Over recent years the use of special composites of recycled plastic as a building material in the U.S. and abroad have increased dramatically, and this may be just the beginning. read more

Green construction is not something that should scare construction industry participants. Particularly the people doing the work in the field. As the downturn in the economy has limited the number of new construction projects, industry participants should look to green construction, specifically green retrofit construction, for opportunities. read more

In an order that could have implications regarding Alabama's law barring unlicensed contractors from enforcing contractual rights, an Alabama state court judge recently entered an order indicating that a section of Alabama’s new immigration law prohibiting the courts of Alabama from recognizing or enforcing contracts entered into with “an alien unlawfully present in the United States” is unenforceable because it violates Alabama’s Constitution.  read more