Design-bid-build forms were last updated in 2007

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is releasing the second part of the once-in-a-decade 2017 edition of the A201, design-bid-build family of documents for a total of 34 newly revised 2017 documents. This release includes updated versions of the Architect Scope documents and many of the frequently-used AIA forms. Working with architects, contractors, subcontractors and owners, the AIA Documents Committee updates this core set of documents every 10 years. This helps ensure that the AIA legal forms and agreements reflect changes and trends in the industry, and that the AIA Contract Documents remain the Industry Standard.

Article written by Lidia Dinkova on Daily Business Review

The challenges after Hurricane Irma abound: Downed trees, power outages — and a competitive construction climate awaiting South Floridians rebuilding or repairing their homes and businesses.

"Everybody is in competition if you are in the construction industry right now. The competition for labor and materials had already started and predated these storms," said Conrad Lazo, construction attorney and shareholder at Becker & Poliakoff in Tampa, referring to the tolls taken by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

The burden would be on labor and materials, and supplies of both had tightened in recent months, he said. A departure from construction jobs because of the Great Recession — by some estimates 20 percent of the workforce left the trades — and a robust demand for building materials have created a competitive construction industry, Lazo said.

"We are dealing with an expansion economy in places like Tampa and Miami. … When there's a lot of demand and the supply gets scarce, dollar values go up," he said. "These storms would just put a burden on everything."

Original article on CNBC.com

People misunderstand complexity of challenge of rebuilding: AECOM CEO from CNBC.

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma caused billions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure, yet people are not fully understanding the magnitude of the issue right now, said Mike Burke, CEO of engineering company Aecom.

According to a preliminary estimate by Moody's Analytics, the combined destruction from the hurricanes could range from $150 billion to $200 billion.

Press Release from Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2—Nonresidential construction spending expanded 0.5 percent in August, totaling $691.8 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis, according to an analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Though this represents an improvement from July’s total ($688.2 billion), nonresidential spending remains 3.4 percent below its year-ago level and is down 3.8 percent from the cyclical peak attained in May 2017.

Spending levels expanded in 10 of the 16 nonresidential construction subsectors in August on a monthly basis. The manufacturing subsector experienced the largest absolute monthly decline (-$2.6 billion) and the greatest year-over-year decline (-$16.1 billion).

According to the data released on Friday, September 1, 2017 by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction employment rose by 28,000 in August, after showing little change over the prior 5 months. Employment among residential specialty trade contractors edged up by 12,000 over the month.

Press Release from Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc (ABC)

Full release

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1—National construction employment rebounded in August, adding 28,000 net new jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to today’s release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It was the best month for job gains in construction since February, according to analysis by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Press Release from Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1—Nonresidential construction spending fell 1.7 percent in July, totaling $688.4 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis, according to an analysis by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. The absolute level of nonresidential construction spending was at its lowest point since December 2015.

Weakness in spending was widespread. Thirteen of the 16 nonresidential subsectors contracted for the month. Only the public safety and power categories experienced monthly increases, while the highway and street category remained unchanged for the month. However, May and June nonresidential spending was revised upward by a collective $11 billion.

Nonresidential construction spending fell 2% in June, to $697 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis according to US Census Bureau data released this week. This is the lowest level since January 2016, when spending was reported at $690 billion, and the first time since then that it has fallen below $700 billion.

According to Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), "June’s weak construction spending report can be largely attributed to the public sector. Public nonresidential construction spending fell 5.4% for the month and 9.5% for the year, and all twelve public subsectors decreased for the month. Private nonresidential spending remained largely unchanged, increasing by 0.1% for the month and 1.1% for the year. April and May nonresidential spending figures were revised downward by 1.1% and 0.4%, respectively."

According to the data released on Friday, July 7, 2017 by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry added 16,000 net new jobs (seasonally adjusted).

Press Release from Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc (ABC)

Full release

U.S. Labor Market Resurgent in June; Construction Adds 16,000 Jobs

Washington, July 10--National construction employment added 16,000 net new jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis in June, according to an analysis of today’s release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Overall construction employment expanded 3.1 percent on a year-over-year basis, easily outpacing the year-over-year growth rate of 1.6 percent for all nonfarm industries.

Press Release from Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

WASHINGTON, July 3 - Nonresidential construction spending expanded by 0.3 percent on both a monthly and yearly basis in May and stands at $714.3 billion on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, according to analysis of a report from the U.S. Census Bureau released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Private nonresidential construction spending fell to $433.6 billion in May, a decline of 0.7 percent. Private nonresidential construction is now at its 2017 nadir, though it is 0.8 percent higher than one year ago. Contrary to the prevailing trend, public nonresidential construction spending rose 1.9 percent in May on a monthly basis but remains 0.5 percent lower than in May 2016.

Press Release from Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 1—Nonresidential construction spending fell 1.7 percent in April 2017, totaling $696.3 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis, according to analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

In April, private nonresidential construction spending fell 0.6 percent for the month, but has increased 4.3 percent on a year-ago basis. Public nonresidential spending decreased by 3.4 percent and is down 4.2 percent year-over-year. Declines in nonresidential construction spending for the month were largely attributable to drops in spending in the highway and street and power segments, down $3.5 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively.