Construction Industry Advisor
Showing 113–128 of 262 results
-
Boost retirement benefits with a cash balance plan
Fall 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 454
Abstract: Construction business owners may not be able to set aside as much as they’d like in tax-advantaged retirement plans. Typically, they’re older and more highly compensated than their employees, but restrictions on contributions to 401(k) and profit-sharing plans can hamper retirement-planning efforts. This article describes how cash balance plans may help out.
-
Zero net energy building: Hot trend getting hotter
Fall 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 633
Abstract: Zero net energy (ZNE) buildings — both residential and commercial — are a sustainable construction approach in which the building has a much smaller energy impact. ZNEs have continued to show significant growth in recent years. In fact, the increase prompted the U.S. Department of Energy to release a common definition for ZNEs in 2015. This article examines just what ZNEs are and how the construction industry is implementing them.
-
Stopping the scourge of profit fade
Fall 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 523
Abstract: Profit fade — a gradual decline in expected gross profits over the course of a project — not only threatens to hurt financial performance, but also may raise a red flag with sureties and lenders. This article explains that, to avoid profit fade, construction companies need to identify its causes, monitor work in progress and act quickly to address any issues.
-
The new rule on overtime – Implications for construction companies
Fall 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 853
Abstract: In May 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor finalized its controversial “overtime rule,” which doubles the minimum salary an employee must receive in order to qualify for the “white collar” exemption from overtime pay. According to the National Association of Home Builders, approximately 100,000 construction supervisors will be eligible for overtime under the new rule, currently scheduled to take effect December 1, 2016. This article offers an overview of the new rule. A sidebar warns of the dangers of employee misclassification.
-
Four ways contractors are using RFID technology
Summer 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 459
Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has proven to be a powerful tool that can help contractors manage equipment and materials, reduce theft, enhance efficiency and improve safety. This article highlights four ways this technology is being used in construction.
-
Show me the money – Ways to keep your profits on track
Summer 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 623
Abstract: While the U.S. economy continues to improve, contractors must carefully watch their bottom lines. This means keeping track of just how increases — or decreases — in profitability can affect your construction company. This article presents some ways for construction companies to maintain profits, including reviewing overhead, managing receivables and payables, and controlling change orders.
-
Pay attention to “no damages for delay” clause
Summer 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 527
Abstract: Construction contracts often contain “no damages for delay” clauses, which prevent a contractor or subcontractor from recovering delay damages from a property owner or general contractor. Whether, and to what extent, parties to a contract can enforce these clauses depends on the contract’s language and state law. This article explains why it’s critical for contractors to understand applicable state law and the proposed language of a clause when negotiating contracts.
-
Get ready for new lease accounting rules
Summer 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 837
Abstract: Earlier this year, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02, the Board’s long-awaited overhaul of its lease accounting rules. The ASU makes extensive changes to the treatment of lease transactions, particularly for lessees. This article explains how the ASU may affect contractors, while a sidebar explains why it will become more important to separate a contract’s lease and nonlease components.
-
Drones on the job site
Spring 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 412
Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly referred to as “drones,” hold great promise for the construction industry. But contractors must familiarize themselves with the various regulatory issues involved. This article discusses the potential benefits of drones and warns of increased FAA scrutiny into their commercial use.
-
Enhance your operations with benchmarking
Spring 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 599
Abstract: Benchmarking is the process of comparing one’s business processes and performance metrics with your own historical data or those of other, similar companies. In doing so, contractors can learn how to enhance their operations. This article explores the distinction between internal and external benchmarking, and it explains how to pick the right data points and gather the most useful information.
-
Maximizing the Section 199 deduction
Spring 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 648
Abstract: Many contractors overlook the Section 199 deduction. Yet it’s available for “construction of real property performed in the United States” by a taxpayer “engaged in the active conduct of a construction trade or business.” This article explains how to not only claim the deduction, but also how to maximize its benefit.
-
Are you getting all that you deserve? Don’t overlook the research credit
Spring 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 881
Abstract: If a construction company commits resources to developing new building techniques, improving processes, experimenting with alternative materials or devising other innovations, it may qualify for the research tax credit. This article looks at the benefits of this tax break and what activities qualify. A sidebar notifies readers that a new and improved version of the credit is now available to smaller companies.
-
Contractor’s Toolbox – The ins and outs of additional insured endorsements
Winter 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 421
Abstract: General contractors (GCs) usually require subcontractors to procure a commercial general liability (CGL) policy and to name the GC as an “additional insured” under the policy, thus helping the GC against liability in connection with the subcontractor’s activities. This article explains how it works.
-
Don’t neglect the cost to complete
Winter 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 527
Abstract: When a contractor is working on a long-term construction project, it’s critical that it have systems in place to accurately estimate the cost to complete (CTC). This article explains how to develop a project’s CTC. By getting a handle on its CTC early in a project, the contractor has an opportunity to address problems that are hindering productivity or otherwise increasing costs.
-
Why you should keep an eagle eye on your estimates
Winter 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 683
Abstract: For contractors, it’s necessary to keep an eagle eye on a multitude of tasks. But, one task that’s susceptible to being overlooked is how the contractor handles estimates. Otherwise, the contractor might just find itself digging a hole into profits. This article looks at the fixed-price vs. approximate estimating methods, the accuracy of the estimations, and the qualifications of the estimators.
-
Prequalification reduces risk of subcontractor default
Winter 2016
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 890
Abstract: General contractors can’t afford to just award subcontracts to the lowest bidder. In today’s challenging economy, some subcontractors bid on jobs that are outside their comfort zones in terms of skills, capacity or financial resources. Thus, prequalifying subcontractors is critical to ensure that they have the funds to complete their work in a satisfactory manner and to minimize the risk of default. This article discusses the prequalification process and what to look for in a subcontractor. A sidebar provides five key ratios that can help a contractor stay in the green.