Accounting
The Hidden Tax Strategy Every GC Should Know About When Building for Investors
If you’re a general contractor working with real estate investors, there’s a tax strategy that could quietly save your clients hundreds of thousands of dollars. It’s called cost segregation, and while it’s handled by CPAs and tax engineers after the build is complete, the groundwork for maximizing its value often starts during construction. The more…
Marcum LLP Unveils Comprehensive 2023 Year-End Tax Guide
With the tax landscape continually evolving, Marcum LLP is proud to announce the release of its 2023 Year-End Tax Guide. Marcum’s 2023 Tax Guide features a detailed analysis of the current tax environment and spans more than 135 pages. Marcum’s tax team meticulously constructs its annual guides to help businesses and individuals navigate the latest changes…
Four Tips for Construction Firms to Reduce the Risk of a Tax Audit
With an ever-expanding web of tax regulations being applied to the construction industry, including construction specific provisions such as energy efficiency credits, tax season can be particularly stressful for construction companies. Construction projects often involve complex financial transactions among dozens of entities, making the specter of an audit particularly daunting. These four tips can help…
Diversity & Inclusion
Business Leaders Continue to Support DEI Initiatives Despite Year of Attacks and Criticism
In the second annual Inclusion Barometer, released today by executive search firm Bridge Partners, business leaders show a continued commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Despite a year filled with attacks and criticisms of DEI programs from some well-known business and civic leaders including Bill Ackman, Elon Musk, and Senator Tom Cotton, 72% of C-Suite and Human Resources leaders…
NAIOP DEI Strategic Pillars: New Committee on DEI
2023 NAIOP Chair Kim Snyder and the NAIOP Board of Directors are proud to announce the adoption of its Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policy statement by NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. During the board meeting on October 17, held as part of NAIOP’s CRE.Converge conference in Seattle, the board unanimously approved the…
ICSC and Partner Associations Form the Commercial Real Estate Diverse Supplier Consortium
The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) announced their participation in an industry-wide alliance to foster supplier diversity in the real estate industry. The Commercial Real Estate Diverse Supplier (CREDS) Consortium, made up of seven real estate trade associations, aims to meet growing interest from companies in real estate to further diversify their supply chains while…
Finance, Bonding, & Insurance
Marsh McLennan to Acquire McGriff Insurance Services
Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC), a global leader in risk, strategy and people, today announced that it has reached an agreement through its Marsh McLennan Agency business to acquire McGriff Insurance Services, LLC, an affiliate of TIH. McGriff is a leading provider of insurance broking and risk management services in the United States, with $1.3 billion of…
Vantage Risk Introduces U.S. Large Property Insurance
Vantage Group Holdings Ltd. (Vantage) launched today its U.S. Large Property offering through its U.S. insurance subsidiaries, further extending the company’s insurance capabilities for its brokers and clients. Vantage’s new U.S. Large Property team builds on the group’s existing property expertise and sustained portfolio growth. Designed to serve a broad range of middle market and corporate…
Streamline Your Construction Lien Management with Bectran and NCS Credit Integration
Bectran, Inc., the industry leader in credit, collections, and accounts receivable management technology has announced a new collaboration with NCS Credit, a renowned provider of Mechanic’s Lien, UCC, and collections solutions. This partnership unveils an innovative Mechanic’s Lien integration solution tailored specifically for construction professionals, providing users with a streamlined approach to safeguard their projects and efficiently…
Government Affairs
ABC Celebrates the One Big Beautiful Bill Becoming Law
Associated Builders and Contractors today issued the following statement after President Donald Trump signed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, delivering historic tax relief to the U.S. construction industry and Main Street businesses nationwide. “On this July 4, ABC celebrates Congress and the White House working together to bring this pro-growth…
Trump Administration Fails To Rescind Biden’s Anti-Merit Labor Mandate
Associated Builders and Contractors today responded to the announcement from the Office of Management and Budget that President Donald Trump’s administration will continue to enforce former President Joe Biden’s anti-competitive policy mandating project labor agreements on federal construction projects of $35 million or more. “This decision cannot be reconciled with the president’s philosophies of merit, fairness and nondiscrimination because…
Tariffs and the Transformation of Construction Financing and Delivery
Rising Tariffs Reshape Project Economics and Delivery Strategies Surging material costs, driven in part by ongoing U.S. trade policies and global economic dynamics, are forcing a fundamental reassessment of how construction projects are financed, structured, and delivered. These changes are especially evident in industrial and manufacturing sectors, where material-intensive builds are disproportionately affected by volatility…
Human Resources
Aerotek Earns 2026 Military Friendly® and Military Spouse Friendly® Employer Designations
Aerotek, a leading provider of workplace solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance, announced today it has been awarded the 2026 Gold Military Friendly® Employer and Military Spouse Friendly® Employer designations for the third consecutive year. Aerotek’s recognition reflects its dedication to providing career support, flexibility and advancement opportunities for veterans and military spouses. Aerotek helps veterans…
Why Suicide Prevention Must Be a 365-Day Leadership Priority
In construction, safety is measured by the number of people who return home at the end of a shift. We track recordables, monitor TRIR, and review near misses. But there is another number we too often avoid: how many of our colleagues are silently struggling—and how many we lose to suicide when the workday ends….
A Few Thoughts on Organization Structure
AEC firms today still struggle with the same old organizational issues that undermine clarity, accountability, and leadership. Most people probably don’t know it, but my undergraduate degree is actually a management degree with a specialization in organizational behavior. And yes, it proved to be relevant and useful. I have been working with AEC firms on…
Leadership
The Hard Power of Soft Skills: Why Active Listening Matters for Construction Leaders
Construction executives live under constant pressure. Rising costs, shifting demand cycles, a competitive labor market, and the relentless pace of projects demand quick decisions and long hours. It’s easy to slip into a mode where communication becomes directive—emails fired off between meetings, instructions handed down on jobsite visits, decisions made in compressed moments. But in…
New Book Shares 60-Second Strategies for More Intentional Living and Leadership
Mike Greene, leadership coach and owner of IntegrityWorks Coaching, has released a new book, “60 Second Success: Transform Your Life One Thoughtful Minute at a Time,” that invites readers to slow down and reflect. Within the pages, Greene offers quick, thought-provoking prompts designed to promote clarity, intentionality and values-based decision-making in everyday life. “60 Second Success” explores…
10 Things to Make You More Successful
Simple, intentional habits like time management, strategic investments, and effective communication can significantly enhance personal and professional success. Self-help books take up one of the largest sections of shelves at any major bookstore. But you don’t always need to read another book before you can make small changes that will help. Fifty years of business…
Legal
Poyner Spruill Ranks High for Construction Law and Litigation in 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms®
Best Law Firms® has recognized Poyner Spruill LLP with 48 rankings in its 2026 edition, reaffirming the firm’s reputation across a broad range of practice areas and jurisdictions. Each year, Best Law Firms® honors firms that demonstrate outstanding professional achievement, based on rigorous evaluations and consistently high praise from clients and peers. Poyner Spruill earned…
ABC Welcomes Trump Administration’s Proposal to Clarify ‘Waters of the United States’
Associated Builders and Contractors issued the following statement from its vice president of government affairs, Kristen Swearingen, on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers release of a proposed rule that will clarify the definition of “waters of the United States.” “ABC supports the Trump administration’s proposed rule to clarify the Clean Water…
Rosen Law Firm Urges Fluor Corporation Stockholders with Large Losses to Contact the Firm for Information About Their Rights
Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) between February 18, 2025 and July 31, 2025, inclusive (the “Class Period”). Fluor provides engineering, procurement, and construction (“EPC”), fabrication and modularization, and project management services. For more information, submit…
Management
FMI Releases 2024 Study on Ownership Transfer and Management Succession
FMI Corporation, a leading provider of consulting and investment banking services to the built environment, released the 2024 Ownership Transfer and Management Succession Study focused on the engineering and construction industry. The report provides key insights and tactics to help owners and executives navigate their companies’ transitions. In early 2024, FMI partnered with the Construction…
American Management Association Releases New Research on the Importance of Management Styles
Effective management is always crucial to an organization’s success—but do managers use the “right” style at the right time, and does it get the desired results from their teams? American Management Association (AMA), a world leader in professional development, surveyed over 1,100 U.S. knowledge workers to better understand the role management styles play in performance…
Confidence Among Small and Midsize Business CEOs Dips in Q2 2024
Small and midsize business (SMB) CEO confidence decreased slightly to 83.3 in Q2 2024, according to the latest CEO Confidence Index released by CEO coaching and peer advisory organization Vistage. The dip in CEO confidence occurred after four consecutive quarters of gains, driven by a decrease in economic optimism. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of CEOs report higher…
Marketing & BD
Relentless Marketing
I was talking about marketing the other day with someone who had recently started their own design business when I realized I had come up with a new term for the kind of marketing I was telling them to do and that I know works every time: “relentless marketing.” When we speak of “relentless marketing,”…
Various Thoughts on AEC Marketing
Most AEC firms play it safe with bland marketing, but bold, consistent outreach is what actually drives results. I’m sure I spend too much time on LinkedIn (thanks, Dr. Matt Waller for telling me years ago I needed to be on it in spite of my prejudices against it!), but I have found it educational…
The High Cost of Crisis Unpreparedness and How to Safeguard Your Organization
Crises, whether cyberattacks, natural disasters or financial disruptions, are inevitable in today’s interconnected world. The difference between recovery and collapse often lies in preparedness. The consequences of being unprepared for a crisis can be severe. We explore what’s at stake as well as actionable solutions to mitigate risks, emphasizing critical concepts like cybersecurity measures, crisis…
Operations Management
Two Kinds of Firms
Is your firm one that commands top fees and thrives, or one that will struggle to compete and keep up? As I have stated many times before, I’ve spent my entire 45 year post-graduate school career working in and around AEC firms. Big ones, small ones, all disciplines, growing and declining, profitable and unprofitable –…
A M King Promotes Four to Vice President Positions, Recognizing their Outstanding Contributions
Integrated Design-Build firm A M King announced that JD Boone, Andre Harris, Carl H. Morse and David Sawicki have been promoted to Vice President, effective January 1, 2025. These four assume their new roles in recognition of their exceptional performance and outstanding contributions to the company’s continued growth. These latest company promotions follow last January’s…
Chemistry for a Successful Project Team
I recently had the opportunity to serve as a judge to evaluate entries for the 2022 ABC Carolinas Excellence in Construction (EIC) Awards competition. The mechanical contracting firm from which I recently retired had been successful in winning multiple awards from ABCC over the years; however, judging was a new experience for me. Being the “old…
Risk Management
AI Takes Center Stage: illumend to Preview Lumie, Its Conversational AI Guide, and New Procore Integration at IRMI Construction Risk Conference
Backed by myCOI, illumend is setting a new standard for AI-powered risk management and third-party insurance compliance in construction At the IRMI Construction Risk Conference (CRC), illumend™, the next-generation, AI platform redefining how companies manage third-party risk and insurance compliance, will offer a sneak preview of two major technology advancements: By bringing insurance compliance into the flow of work,…
Mental Health & Wellness: Key Components of Safety for Construction Industry
A growing topic of discussion in the industries we serve is mental health. Although safety has long been a core value of the construction industry, wellness is now gaining traction as a much-needed area of focus. Its importance can’t be understated. Nearly 13 percent of workplace injuries are attributed to fatigue, and more than 40…
What You Need to Know About OSHA’s New Initiatives for the Construction Industry
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced new enforcement initiatives for 2023 which will have a direct impact on the construction industry. These new initiatives are primarily directed at preventing trenching and excavation fatalities, and heat-related injuries and illnesses. State Plan states, including North Carolina, are required to adopt…
Strategy
The Wooten Company Opens New Winston-Salem Regional Office
The Wooten Company, an engineering consulting firm celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, announced on Monday that it has opened a new Regional Office in the Old Salem Historic District of downtown Winston-Salem, NC. Overseen by Regional Manager John Grey, PE, the office was previously located in Asheboro, NC, from where it served the towns,…
Integrated Delivery – Why Is It?
Integrated delivery is a delivery method that embraced 360 degree collaboration between all the stakeholders on a project; including designers, consultants, general contractor, subcontractor, vendors, and yes the owner. Design-build (DB) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) are two examples of integrated delivery. There are numerous differences between the various contract forms of both DB and…
Should You Get Out of the Contracting Business?
That may seem like a strange resolution for a contractor. However, it might be the best advice you ever receive. How many people do you think wake up in the morning and say to themselves, “I can’t wait to hire a contractor today?” If you do service work, it’s even worse. No one wakes up…
More Business
A M King Awards Auburn University First Place in ASC’s 2025 Design-Build Competition
It was a dual dilemma at The Associated Schools of Construction’s (ASC) Region 2 Design-Build Competition on Nov. 11. For the third year in a row, the six-member team from Auburn University solved the intricate challenge posed by sponsor A M King. Itwas the sixth time that A M King provided the project for the…
Staying Calm under Fire
Calm leadership under pressure – whether in business, aviation, or racing – proves experience and composure drive effective decision-making. My wife has always been stressed out by flying. On flights together, she sits next to me and squeezes my arm so tightly at times I think she is going to bruise me! Thank God for…
Poyner Spruill Ranks High for Construction Law and Litigation in 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms®
Best Law Firms® has recognized Poyner Spruill LLP with 48 rankings in its 2026 edition, reaffirming the firm’s reputation across a broad range of practice areas and jurisdictions. Each year, Best Law Firms® honors firms that demonstrate outstanding professional achievement, based on rigorous evaluations and consistently high praise from clients and peers. Poyner Spruill earned…
CarolinaPower Wins ABC’s Eagle Award and Project of the Year for Clemson Project
CarolinaPower, a leading employee-owned, regional electrical contractor with four offices in South Carolina, received top honors during the Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas (ABC Carolinas) 2025 Excellence in Construction (EIC) Awards gala held in Charlotte on November 6. CarolinaPower received the “Best in Class” Eagle Award — the highest-level award — for its…
