Latest Stories
Family First: ABC’s 2026 National Chair Thomas Murphy
Long before he was “Murph” at Associated Builders and Contractors, Thomas Murphy was the fourth of five siblings growing up in Buffalo, New York. Close to his family then—and now—Murphy hopes to bring that same sense of connection to ABC as its 2026 national chair. As he puts it, “ABC is all about relationships.”
Construction Futures: January 2026
Construction spending and hiring slow while prices and backlog rise. Is this setting a precedent for the rest of the year?
Data Center Power Demand Will Cause a Boom in Industrial Construction
The demand for data centers is posing a demand for more power sources.
Commercial Construction Faces Challenges in 2026, But Some Cities May Be Safe
Commercial construction faced challenges in 2025. Certain markets are already yielding insight into 2026 trends.
Nonresidential Construction Spending Remained Stagnant in October
On a monthly basis, nonresidential spending was up in 9 of 16 categories, but still lacks momentum overall.
Reducing Rework on Construction Projects Benefits Budget, Schedule and Financial Loss
Build it nice or build it twice. Studies show that rework can cost contractors up to 20% of project costs.
The Ultimate Construction Project Punch List for Winning Customer Loyalty
Open, transparent communication with a client on a jobsite is not a novel concept, but not every contractor does it when they should.
Feature Stories
Earth Benders: R.J. Zavoral and Sons Inc. on Their History of Moving the Midwest
Minnesota-based contractor R.J. Zavoral and Sons isn’t just breaking ground—they’re moving it. And they’ve been doing so for nearly 75 years.
Construction News
Construction Futures: January 2026
Construction spending and hiring slow while prices and backlog rise. Is this setting a precedent for the rest of the year?
New Names and Faces: December 2025
Some of ABC's contractors, architects, engineers and more make major moves late in the year.
House Passes ABC-Supported Permitting Reform Legislation
ABC supported two permitting reform bills, which just passed a vote in the U.S. House.
Data Center Power Demand Will Cause a Boom in Industrial Construction
The demand for data centers is posing a demand for more power sources.
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Business and Culture
Reducing Rework on Construction Projects Benefits Budget, Schedule and Financial Loss
Build it nice or build it twice. Studies show that rework can cost contractors up to 20% of project costs.
Construction Backlog Indicator Falls Sharply in November, Confidence in Profit Margins Dips
Construction backlog is down for December, but contractor confidence is high. Are projects dwindling or is productivity ramping up?
What Buyers Really See in Your Financial Statements—And How to Make Them Count
Before you sell, merge or acquire, you better get your story—and your finances—straight.
Moving the Needle: Advanced Analytics in Construction
Making business decisions with your gut can only get you so far. While experience can help you make quick choices, your intuition can’t replace cold, hard facts.
Family First: ABC’s 2026 National Chair Thomas Murphy
Long before he was “Murph” at Associated Builders and Contractors, Thomas Murphy was the fourth of five siblings growing up in Buffalo, New York. Close to his family then—and now—Murphy hopes to bring that same sense of connection to ABC as its 2026 national chair. As he puts it, “ABC is all about relationships.”
Construction Industry Must Attract 349,000 Workers in 2026 Despite Macroeconomic Headwinds
ABC is projecting a need of nearly 400,000 workers to meet construction demands in 2026; and nearly 500,000 in 2027.
Construction Lost 11,000 Jobs in December, Added Just 14,000 Jobs in 2025
Contrasting November’s promising job growth, December yielded disheartening results.
Construction Job Openings Rebound by 90,000 in November 2025
According to the latest JOLTS survey, the U.S. construction industry had only 292,000 job openings as of November 2025.
For Good: Johnson Controls Invests in Community College Partnership Program
Johnson Controls is defying industry limits—and proving that no good deed goes unnoticed—with an additional $3-million investment in its Community College Partnership Program to help close the skilled trades gap across 30 community colleges.
Willmar Electric Service’s David Chapin
Nearly a decade since his tenure as ABC National Chair, what is David Chapin doing?
A Beacon of Hope: Joseph Groh Foundation’s Newest Grant Recipient
The Joseph Groh Foundation announced its most recent grant recipient: Stanley Bray.
Earth Benders: R.J. Zavoral and Sons Inc. on Their History of Moving the Midwest
Minnesota-based contractor R.J. Zavoral and Sons isn’t just breaking ground—they’re moving it. And they’ve been doing so for nearly 75 years.
Legal
Mind the Gap: Ensuring Proper Edge Fall Protection
Falls are a leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry, but they can be prevented with the right protection.
Recognize and Respond: Narcan Training to Combat Opioid Overdose in Construction
Skanska hosted Be Well Texas for a workshop on how to recognize the symptoms of opioid overdose and administer life-saving Narcan.
Is a Zero-Injury Culture in Construction a Pipe Dream?
Building professionals aim for a zero-injury culture as project complexity and workforce demands increase. Is this goal attainable?
Fire Protection You Can Trust Starts With the Right Testing
Fire protection systems are only as good as their testing reveals. Make sure your buildings and jobsites are equipped appropriately.
Why Self-Insurance Might Be Worth It in a Changing Construction Market
Builders risk. Workers comp. Insurance abounds in the construction industry. But what about keeping it in-house?
Construction Safety Risks Rise Amid Economic Uncertainty
Invest in safety prevention today to save money (and lives) tomorrow.
Operation Preparation: Industry Experts Speak on Disaster Prep and Recovery Efforts as Hurricane Season Comes to a Close
Water is one of the most destructive sources on the planet—natural or manmade. Oftentimes, the construction industry has to learn the hard way—after disaster strikes—how best to address that disaster in the future. This year, preparation is priority.
Four Steps to Effectively Manage Rising Risk of Construction Liability Claims
Liability claims in construction are increasing in frequency and complexity. Make sure your company is prepared to wade through the legal waters.
House Passes ABC-Supported Permitting Reform Legislation
ABC supported two permitting reform bills, which just passed a vote in the U.S. House.
ABC Welcomes Trump Administration’s Proposal to Clarify ‘Waters of the United States’
The Trump admin proposed a rule to clarify the Clean Water’s Act definition of WOTUS.
Government Shutdown Puts Added Burdens on Federal Contractors
It has officially been two weeks since the government shut down, and federal contractors are feeling it.
Government Shutdown Day Nine: What Contractors Need to Know
An excerpt from ABC’s Beltway Blueprint let’s contractors know where they stand amidst the ongoing government shutdown.
Tools
Finding the Right Data Faster for Smarter Construction
With megaprojects becoming more complex, data analytics has to be more precise.
How Construction CFOs Scale Systems, Technology and Workflows Amid Rapid Industrial Growth
Rapid expansion rewards the prepared and tests the rest. Financial discipline is what determines which side a construction firm lands on.
Moving the Needle: Advanced Analytics in Construction
Making business decisions with your gut can only get you so far. While experience can help you make quick choices, your intuition can’t replace cold, hard facts.
Connective Tissue: Keep Teams Connected With Modern ERPs
Outdated ERPs are holding construction back. Here’s how modernization builds resilience by keeping teams connected across the organization.
Keep Your Fleet Safety Plans Simple and Accessible
They say less is more. Apply that to your fleet safety practices and you might just find it to be true.
Rising Debate: Proprietary Versus Non-Proprietary Elevator Equipment
Independent elevator companies are leveraging owner options, lower long-term costs, and supplier and equipment choice to compete against major proprietary brands. Who will come out on top?
How Construction Fleets Can Overcome Change Management Challenges
The fundamentals may not be glamorous, but they are foundational for keeping your fleet running smoothly, especially during times of change.
June Nonresidential Construction Materials Prices Up 2.5% Year-Over-Year, 43% Since February 2020
Construction backlog is back up, but so are input prices for nonresidential construction materials.
Nonresidential Construction Spending Remained Stagnant in October
On a monthly basis, nonresidential spending was up in 9 of 16 categories, but still lacks momentum overall.
New Ballpark Will Be a Home Run: The Wilson Warbirds Move to Wilson, North Carolina
North Carolina-based Clancy & Theys is building a brand-new home for the Wilson Warbirds, complete with luxury amenities, high-tech training facilities and a healthy dose of nostalgia.
Wonder of the World: Nat Geo’s New Museum of Exploration
The newest wonder of the world might just be in Downtown D.C., in the form of National Geographic’s Museum of Exploration.
Why Distressed and Defunct Shopping Malls Are Good for Construction Contractors
Unconventional buyers of former shopping malls are reshaping commercial real estate development.
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Recent and Upcoming Webinars
The Construction Jobsite of the Future
Hear from leaders in construction and technology on how global trends, workforce evolution and emerging innovations are converging to reshape the industry. This session will provide a global forward-looking perspective on what’s ahead and how companies can prepare to stay competitive with the leading voices from construction, innovation, technology and the association perspective.
AI and Automation in the Construction Industry
This webinar will explain how top firms embrace AI and automation and what this means for their future. Whether you’re just starting to use AI and automation or looking to expand on your firm’s edge, this session is packed with insights to help your construction business innovate and thrive.
Effectively Managing Subcontractors in an Evolving Landscape
Learn the key pain points of construction finance professionals and how they are solving them through technology adoption. Understand the process for selecting the best software and what the proper steps are implanting and training your finance staff and subcontractors.
Construction Executive’s 2026 Construction Economic Update and Forecast
Join ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu on Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) for the 2026 Construction Economic Update and Forecast.