👮 Jobsite crime

Contractor confidence is pretty high, all things considered. This week’s issue includes a digest of the ABC’s latest Construction Backlog Indicator, which breaks down the factors impacting the industry and builders’ outlooks. We also explore trends in job site crime and take a look at the latest in the quest to recycle concrete.  

Coming soon:  Attorney Jason Kosek delivers advice on avoiding cybercrime, a growing threat to construction companies.

But first, how could this couple not win the costume contest?

>>  Automatic for the people. A rare Frank Lloyd Wright home achieves landmark status. 

>>  Forget the Man of Steel… Meet InventWood’s  "wood of steel"

>>  This crew has gone to the dogs. TFW your crew wants to help but doesn’t have the skills. 

>>  It was only a matter of time. The satirists at The Onion have come for data centers and it’s pretty funny.

Data center surge boosts contractor confidence, backlogs 

Not that long ago, office construction far outpaced data centers. But skyrocketing consumer, business, and government demand for AI infrastructure is changing that dynamic. While office and other sectors are cooling, the megaproject sector—which includes data centers—is heating up.

Data center construction is a significant source of industry momentum alongside public sector activity, which is driving extended infrastructure backlogs, according to Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Falling industrywide employment, a dearth of job openings and ongoing decreases in construction spending have not diminished ABC contractor member backlog or confidence.”   

ABC data shows that about 20% of contractors were under contract for a data center project in September and averaged a year’s worth of backlog, much higher than those working in other sectors.  

Why it matters: With no sign of dwindling demand, contractors with the right capabilities could consider expanding into data center work as a hedge against other sectors' declines. (ACHR News)

Thieves are costing you money

With copper prices rising and tariffs adding to the pain, thefts of the valued commodity continue to plague contractors. “With the August 1, 2025, rollout of 50% tariffs on semi-finished copper products entering the U.S., construction sites have suddenly become more desirable targets,” notes Jeremy White, founder of Pro-Vigil surveillance services. 

Another popular target: heavy equipment, including rentals. The National Equipment Register reports that estimated losses range from $300 million to $1 billion annually, and only about one-fifth of what’s taken is ever recovered. Besides replacement costs, which can be high, thefts also slow projects down, raising the potential for additional labor costs, missed deadlines and fines.  

Why it matters: You can safeguard your sites with more robust security, including loss-prevention tech that documents the location of key assets, track materials and equipment and detect suspicious behavior. Talk to your security provider about upgrades that make sense for your worksites and budget. (ForConstructionPros)

Recycled concrete is a reality 

Not all aggregates can be recycled, but new research has revealed that some mortars incorporating standardized sand substitutes—recycled fine aggregates sourced from concrete waste—outperformed those using traditional sand, especially in compressive strength. Researchers tested four mortar mixes using sand substitutions from processed concrete waste. The particle size was carefully controlled and treated with a crystallizing waterproofing agent. 

Why it matters: Processed recycled aggregates could dramatically reduce the industry’s reliance on nonrenewable natural sand, making significant strides towards a greener future for the industry. It’s still early days, but one Paris-based developer has constructed a housing complex with the material. (The Cool Down)

>>  Building buzz: White House ballroom immune to cost concerns

>>  Hospitality hurting: New hotel construction continues to cool

>>  Agentic AI: Construction is ‘ideal proving ground’ for tech

>>  New numbers: NAHB says median age of construction labor is 42

Recognize small acts to create big results

"When I know that something I'm doing that's small, that doesn't take a lot of effort or time, but I know it makes a difference to other people, that helps me know I can do more with less. It's like a way to make a bigger difference without having to, like, add a whole new repertoire to what I'm doing." 
—Gretchen Spreitzer, University of Michigan Ross School of Business

Too often we celebrate big accomplishments, but Associate Dean and Professor Gretchen Spreitzer of the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business says it’s equally important to recognize employees’ small wins. She discusses her research on the impact small actions like this have on your management style, employee performance and company success in a recent episode of the “Flourishing Edge Podcast” with Ashish Kothari.

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