Crew health is a business risk

Your crew is the heart of your business. Keeping them healthy and on the job is vital. This week, we share resources for supporting their cardiovascular health, one of the biggest challenges for our industry. We've also got data on consumers’ concerns and their effect on the industry, alongside details on a promising new treatment that makes concrete more durable, and the first African-American municipal architect.

But first, Catswithhardhats on Facebook nails how we all felt about January.

>>  Ready for his close-up. This Instagramming PM gave his daily routine the Wes Anderson treatment. 

>>  🥹 Awwwww. Is this the sweetest welding helmet ever?

>>  Simplify payroll. OnPay helps specialty contractors automate payroll, manage multistate tax filings and integrate with accounting software to keep jobsites running smoothly. (Ad)

>>  The more you know. Celebrate Black History Month by learning about America’s first Black city architect, Clarence W. Wigington. 

>>  🦇 A truly batty idea. The North Carolina DOT built a wildlife habitat into a new bridge.

Improving heart health is good business

Did you know that construction workers have a higher risk of heart disease and death than almost every other occupation? The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that 1 in 25 crew members has already been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and 1 in 4 has high blood pressure, a key risk factor for heart disease and stroke. An academic study confirms that construction workers are at a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and other causes than people in other jobs.

American Heart Month is the perfect time to raise awareness of risk factors and take actions to protect your crews. The AHA Hard Hats with Heart program (led by construction professionals) makes it easy with materials designed specifically for the industry. Resources include toolbox talk guides on stress reduction, healthy eating and blood pressure, among other topics; and training videos on hands-only CPR and AED use. 

Why it matters: Taking proactive steps to address cardiac health risks and recognize and respond to warning signs and symptoms reduces healthcare utilization and premiums, decreases days of missed work and improves morale. (American Heart Association)

Consumers’ fears worry builders

The public’s perceptions are giving contractors heartburn, according to the recently released NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index survey. The top concern, cited by almost three-quarters of homebuilders surveyed, is homebuyers’ thinking it's best to hold out for lower interest rates and prices. “Buyers are concerned about high home prices and mortgage rates, with down payments particularly challenging given elevated price to income ratios,” notes NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes. Just over half of respondents are also worried about homebuyers being cautious because of negative media reports (56%) and federal government gridlock/uncertainty (55%).  

Why it matters: With obstacles like rising materials prices, shrinking availability and affordability of developable parcels, consumer brake-tapping makes matters worse. Contractors who can expand into other services like remodeling or sectors like commercial may have an easier time in 2026. (LBM Journal)

Innovative treatment reduces concrete degradation 

Concrete can withstand almost anything except prolonged exposure to moisture, which can breed microorganisms that eat away at the material and compromise its structural integrity. Polish researchers discovered that nanosilver (minute bits of silver or silver oxide) can stop the tiny creatures that cause biodeterioration without reducing the material’s strength. The preliminary results are promising, but more research is needed to assess environmental and other impacts. 

Why it matters: With floods becoming more common across much of the nation, new ways to protect this essential building material from microbial degradation are vital to enhancing climate resilience. (AZOBuild)

>>  Going for gold: LEED certs high in multifamily

>>  Cost concerns: Tariffs continue to force materials prices up

>>  Mixed message: Variety of uses drives city’s growth

>>  Growth gap: What’s limiting U.S. construction productivity?

How to realize your business vision

"Whatever the goal is, having it in writing is key. I think getting buy-in and collaboration within the team to develop and set those goals, ultimately, is a huge [contributing] factor to success. You know, I can sit here and dictate what I think or what I want, but at the end of the day, if I don't have buy-in from the team, then that's only going to go so far." 
— Tim Calderala, Apex Homes Florida

Calderala, owner and CEO of Apex Homes Florida, joined “Builders, Budgets, and Beers” host Reece Barnes to discuss success factors, including how to formulate a vision for your construction business and get the buy-in necessary to achieve it. 

Thanks for reading today's edition! You can reach the newsletter team at thelevel@mynewsletter.co. We enjoy hearing from you.

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The Level is curated and written by Margot Lester and edited by Bianca Prieto.