Deep Dive

Industry insights from our journalists

  • The shadowed silhouette of construction workers on a jobsite with names of hazards listed in the background.
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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    Stuff that can kill you: Contractors pivot to new ways of tracking jobsite safety

    Standard metrics may mask potential issues, but construction leaders have leveraged fresh methods to record data and abate hazards.

    Zachary Phillips • Nov. 5, 2024
  • Voters casting their ballots in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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    Ethan Miller/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Decision 2024: Election uncertainty weighs down construction activity

    A lack of clarity is impeding progress on projects amid one of the tightest presidential contests in recent memory, builders and economists say.

    Sebastian Obando • Nov. 1, 2024
  • A construction worker helps build the Signature Bridge on January 5, 2024, in Miami, Florida.
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    Joe Raedle/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    A fifth of construction workers lack permanent legal status. Can the next president change that?

    Illegal immigration has dominated the headlines during this election season, but building pros are calling for help to get skilled workers to jobsites.

    Sebastian Obando • Oct. 15, 2024
  • Loper decision ending Chevron deference doctrine
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    Anna Moneymaker / Staff via Getty Images
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    Chevron decision may lead to environmental suits, permit delays

    The Loper Bright and Corner Post rulings could open the National Environmental Policy Act, OSHA’s heat standard and other regulations to challenges, legal experts say.

    Julie Strupp • Oct. 3, 2024
  • The construction site of a new residential apartment building stands near Spree river on April 25, 2024 in Berlin, Germany.
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    Maja Hitij/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    How US construction left the world behind

    The American building industry has thrived in recent years while growth has eluded contractors in many other countries. Here’s why.

    Sebastian Obando • Sept. 30, 2024
  • The exterior of the Supreme Court.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    What employers can expect following the end of Chevron deference

    For one thing, the Department of Labor’s regulations may not fare well under federal courts’ scrutiny post-Chevron, a former DOL official told HR Dive.

    Ryan Golden • July 18, 2024
  • A shot of three construction workers mid sections.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    The heat is on. Contractors say they’re ready.

    Commercial construction firms aren't waiting on OSHA's much-anticipated heat standard to protect their workers.

    Zachary Phillips • June 6, 2024
  • A construction worker atop a steel beam drinks from a bottle of water.
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    Brian Snyder/Reuters

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    Heat-related laws in Texas, Florida, Phoenix to be put to the test

    As summer begins, some states prevent cities from mandating water breaks. Still, there are commonsense practices to protect workers from soaring temperatures.

    Zachary Phillips • May 23, 2024
  • Detroit, Michigan, USA downtown skyline from above at dusk.
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    Sean Pavone via Getty Images
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    Contractors, owners wait out high interest rates

    As long as the Fed doesn't raise already elevated rates, a steady environment could jump-start stalled projects.

    Sebastian Obando • May 14, 2024
  • Aerial view of Georgia-Pacific's manufacturing plant in Jackson, Tennessee
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    Permission granted by JE Dunn
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    Why contractors are still all in on manufacturing projects

    Despite the sector’s recent deceleration in starts, firms with factory construction specialization are scaling up for more demand.

    Sebastian Obando • Jan. 29, 2024
  • A bulldozer getting land ready for a semiconductor plant
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    Permission granted by Texas Instruments
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    US manufacturing boom unlocks ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity for contractors

    Here are ways construction firms can cash in on the country’s $500 billion onshoring surge and the ancillary projects it is spurring. 

    Sebastian Obando • Nov. 14, 2023
  • Sand slipping through hands cupped together.
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    iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    Security has an underlying defect: passwords and authentication

    Cyberattacks are fueled by the shortcomings of business authentication controls. Bad things happen when access falls apart and credentials land in the wrong hands.

    Matt Kapko • Sept. 20, 2023
  • A skyline shot of Tel Aviv in Israel, a densely packed urban landscape with a visible coast.
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    "File:Tel Aviv Aerial 02.jpg" by Ynhockey is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    How Israel’s startup culture powers contech innovation

    The country’s business environment is a boon for enterprising construction technology firms, but it leaves little room to grow once a company is up and running, experts say.

    Matthew Thibault • Aug. 23, 2023
  • Aerial view of the new computer chip factory that's being built by The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in Arizona on the North side of Phoenix.
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    Skyhobo via Getty Images
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    Manufacturing megaprojects gobble up workers

    From Taylor, Texas, to Licking County, Ohio, multibillion-dollar factory projects are magnifying labor woes and driving up costs.

    Sebastian Obando • Aug. 14, 2023
  • Photo of a man in a suit speaking at a podium.
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    Scott Olson / Staff via Getty Images
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    Contractors face uncertainty over new Florida immigration law

    New legislation that requires companies to confirm that employees are allowed to work in the U.S. could result in severe consequences for construction firms.

    Zachary Phillips • Updated May 19, 2023
  • A worker looks down at his tablet while on a construction site. He wears safety gear.
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    sculpies via Getty Images
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    Will AI take your construction job? Only if you want it to.

    Construction pros say given the shortage of workers, the tech will enhance more positions than it replaces, but employment law issues remain.

    Chris Wood • May 15, 2023
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    Permission granted by Martin Romine
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    When school is out, construction is in

    As elementary and high schools plan for a surge of federally funded upgrades over the next few months, many administrators remain concerned about spending deadlines.

    Kara Arundel • May 15, 2023
  • Picture of telehandler on construction site
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    Courtesy of Associated Builders and Contractors
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    Banking turmoil stirs up new headwinds for construction

    Recent uncertainty among lenders could lead to new challenges for U.S. construction firms as more projects fail to pencil out.

    Sebastian Obando • April 17, 2023
  • Employees walk in front of a sign outside of the shuttered Silicon Valley Bank headquarters.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    4 ways that recent banking failures will impact the multifamily sector

    After the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature, multifamily borrowers could face challenges finding construction debt and loans from smaller lenders.

    Leslie Shaver • April 13, 2023
  • A sign is posted in front of the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) headquarters on March 10, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. Silicon Valley Bank was shut down on Friday morning by California regulators and w
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Tech vendor risk raises vetting stakes in wake of SVB crisis

    Deposits are safe, but tech startups may no longer have access to venture debt and the lines of credit that helped fuel innovation.

    Matt Ashare • March 29, 2023
  • construction at The Boro in Tysons, VA.
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    Courtesy of Associated Builders and Contractors
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    Recession watch: Why the next one will be different

    Executives from Skanska, DPR, Suffolk and others see unique characteristics in an economic slowdown this year.

    Sebastian Obando • Jan. 18, 2023
  • Edgewater modular project
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    Permission granted by Volumetric Building Companies
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    Multifamily developers embrace modular building

    The sector is turning to prefabrication to speed up project deliveries, but not for any real cost savings during the construction phase, experts say.

    Sebastian Obando • Nov. 8, 2022
  • A person with an upper respiratory illness lays on the couch while resting at home.
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    Tom Merton via Getty Images
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    5 tips for managing FMLA leave and PTO in the post-COVID-19 landscape

    On its face, the FMLA may appear simple, but COVID-19 continues to add wrinkles to leave administration.

    Ryan Golden • Nov. 3, 2022
  • A worker manipulates the quadripedal Spot for Suffolk Construction
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    Permission granted by Suffolk Construction
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    Rise of the machines? For construction, not yet

    Robots' promises of safety and productivity abound, but issues like impact on jobs, added costs and specialized training have kept many contractors on the sidelines.

    Matthew Thibault • June 7, 2022
  • Challenges Doing Home Office and Work from Home
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    Rocky89 via Getty Images
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    Punching out: The dire state of worker mental health

    "It's important that employers do not view mental health as a check-the-box exercise when approaching solutions," said an HR expert.

    Carla Bell • June 2, 2022