Hiring skilled workers remains a challenge for many general contractors, especially in the face of a labour shortage. Although there is a growing demand for construction projects, the supply of labor can be an ongoing problem. In fact, the labor market for the construction industry is so tight that, according to the Associated General Contractors of America, 82 percent of construction companies expect it to be difficult to fill positions in the foreseeable future.6 A number of factors contribute to this shortage: theft of a general contractor`s property is common and a significant problem. Often, they store expensive tools and equipment on the construction site. In addition, it is not uncommon for criminals to steal heavy equipment. Companies are also struggling to fill paid positions, with project managers/supervisors, estimators and engineers being the most in demand. Competition for project managers/supervisors is strongest in the Northeast, where 69% of companies say they have difficulty hiring for these positions. Although the liability of general contractors is limited to their offices due to the lack of public access, there are construction site risks that must be taken into account. Construction sites can be especially attractive to children and vandals, especially if they can enter the site after work.
Sage officials noted that companies are taking a more strategic approach to information technology as they seek to remain competitive in today`s environment. Sixty-two percent of entrepreneurs say they currently have a formal IT plan in place that supports the company`s goals, up from 48 percent last year. Another 7% plans to create a formal plan in 2021. More use is being made of technology to help contractors manage projects with fewer employees. The outlook for general contractors is relatively positive. According to IBIS World and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately: Demand for construction activity is expected to continue to grow, although the growth rate is limited by available skilled workers unless contractors make major changes to adapt. General contractors vary greatly in size and specialty. Some general contractors, such as paper contractors, do little or no of their own construction work. Other general contractors perform various types of structural work (e.B.
Scaffolding, rough carpentry, steel assembly, or masonry).1 Investing in new technologies that help your current employees improve collaboration, improve communication, and maximize efficiency isn`t just a good idea. it is a necessity. According to the 2020 AGC survey, 32% of contractors invest in cutting-edge technologies such as construction software and drone surveying workflows to streamline work. Since the general contractor is responsible for the project, the risk of liability for completed operations is very high. Failure to adhere to plans, use of inadequate materials and failure to perform quality work can lead to significant losses. “However, the industry`s outlook could improve if federal officials are able to increase investment in infrastructure, fill state and local construction budgets, and resist the temptation to impose costly new regulatory hurdles,” Sandherr said. “But while we are determined to take steps to restore construction demand, we also need to take longer-term steps to further develop construction workers.” Craft professionals are in demand, and the most difficult positions to fill are carpenters, tin fitters and concrete workers. The two entrepreneurs of the ZOOM call said that the impact of the pandemic on the projects was mainly concerned with the vaccination of workers. Carson acknowledged that subcontractors` opposition to vaccinations has “made life difficult” for his company on some projects, particularly the construction and renovation of hospitals where vaxizing workers is mandatory. Sandherr also stressed that contractors cannot impose mandates on unionized workers, and he questioned whether contractors should be able to become a “health police” that monitors compliance with subcontracts.
Spending on further contractions exceeded $1.2 trillion in 2017 and is expected to be even higher in 2018. .
