Thursday, February 2, 2012

The construction industry will see one of the fastest job growth rates this decade, according to recent projections from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The caveat, however, is that all the jobs lost during the 2007-09 recession will not be recovered.

BLS numbers indicate 1.8 million construction jobs will be created between 2010-20. But that figure isn’t enough to reach the annual average peak in 2006 of 7.7 million jobs.

The reason the construction industry ranks as high as it does by 2020 is that 2010 began at such a deflated (not to mention, depressing) starting point.  That’s according to the BLS news release, which states, “The 2010-20 projections reach a robust 2020 target year largely because the 2010 base year began from a relatively low point.”

The good news is, it appears we can’t go any lower. Building permits and housing starts are trending upward. Construction spending went up again in December 2011 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $816.4 billion. That figure is 4.3 percent higher than the same time a year earlier.

It would appear the construction industry is finally getting out of the rut. What do you think? Do the statistics accurately reflect your business reality? Leave a comment below; we’d like to hear your thoughts.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reports that overall prices for construction materials decreased by 0.2 percent in December. That number is based on statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor. However, prices are 5.3 percent higher than the same time last year.

Iron and steel prices increased for the first time since July. Read ABC’s full analysis here.

Landlord/Tenant Liens & the 2011 Statutory Changes
by Lee Weintraub, Board Certified Construction Attorney

When a tenant contracts for improvements, the leasehold interest is subject to construction liens in Florida.  Section 713.10 of the Florida Statutes addresses the extent to which the landlord may be liable to satisfy the lien. The landlord’s interests are not subject to liens when the tenant is a mobile home owner leasing a mobile home lot in a mobile home park from the landlord.  Any other type of tenant improvement may potentially subject the landlord to lien liability depending upon certain circumstances.  continue reading

Please note that the PBN office will be closed on the following dates.

• Thursday, November 24, 2011
• Friday, November 25, 2011
• Friday, December 23, 2011
• Monday, December 26, 2011
• Monday, January 02, 2012

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday season!

Candidates taking the initial licensure examination now have four years to pass all portions of the exam. The change went into effect November 1, 2011. Candidates will not be limited in the number of times they re-take a test during the four-year period.

Other updates from the licensing board include:

• HB 849 signed by Governor Rick Scott in June changed the glass and glazing contractor category from a specialty licensing to a Division II licensing category.
• A new specialty license has been created for cell and energy tower construction.
• The Florida Homeowner’s Construction Recovery Fund is experiencing a funding shortfall. Claims are still being processed and will be paid as soon as funds become available.