Porta-potties, pipelines and policy shifts

How’s your project pipeline? Between the national economy and government policies, many contractors need more work. This week, we look at some of the factors driving conditions and ways to push through, including capitalizing on design trends and upgrading marketing.

But first, see how one M Bar C Construction employee decorated the office for Halloween.

>>  Super-size me! Join Adam Savage for a walk-through of the world’s biggest 3D printer, large enough to fabricate an entire structure.  

>>  Never mind the front lawn. Homes in this Texas community have grass roofs!

>>  Before you take your next bio break… Leave your two cents on this r/Construction thread about how to make site porta-potties better.

>>  It depends on how you look at it. This wood slab was pretty enough, but a change in perspective makes it beautiful.

Make clients part of your marketing team

Your customers can be your most powerful marketers if you know how to leverage them.

Start by asking for reviews on Google, Thumbtack or Angi, or testimonials for your website and social media. Manor Works Painting, for example, builds credibility by prioritizing customer reviews. 

Take it further with a referral program that rewards clients for spreading the word. Offer free or discounted services when they refer others — whether for sharing contact details or after a referral becomes a booked project.

Why it matters: You may not be able to afford a professional promoter, but investing in customer-led marketing is a low-resource, high-impact way to spread the word, reinforce credibility and expand your customer base. Endorsements like these give prospective customers confidence and help build trust in you as a service provider. The hardest part may be making the ask, but most happy clients are eager to help. (Indeed)

Administration targets key construction industry sectors

Energy and transportation projects keep a lot of contractors and tradespeople working. Construction job growth in the energy sector alone was nearly twice the sector’s economy-wide rise. According to The New York Times, Trump referred to the shutdown as an "'unprecedented opportunity' to trim fat from the government." This prompts government policies to slash or cancel federal funding that helps make those projects possible.  

The NYT reported the end of at least $7.6 billion in energy project grants—mostly in Democrat-led states—because the projects did not advance the President’s agenda or were “not economically viable”. The President is also holding onto billions in transportation funding for projects in Illinois and New York, states with cities he has publicly threatened. 

Why it matters: Cutting the purse strings can mean canceled contracts, decreased revenue and lost jobs for construction and trades. Contractors working in energy and transportation should reassess risk now so you’re ready for uncertainty, slowdowns and lost work. Even if you operate outside the targeted sectors, states and municipalities, review your pipeline and cash position since fewer work opportunities mean more competition. (New York Times)

Senior housing builders embrace nature

Being in and around nature is good for us and that’s driving more senior living projects to infuse green elements that support resident well-being—and that are gentle on the environment and harden structures against natural disasters. 

One example of biophilic design is large windows that enable views and natural light on nice days and are covered in an impact-resistant glaze to protect from winds and flying debris when the weather turns. Another is infrastructure like rain gardens and bioretention ponds that use native plants to capture and filter rain and stormwater and attract wildlife and pollinators.

Why it matters: Demand is strong for senior housing, with 88.1% national occupancy at midyear and estimates showing continued growth in the aging population; the number of people 80 and older alone is projected to increase 48% in the next five years. Contractors who understand and respond to design trends can stay a step or two ahead of the competition. (Senior Housing News)

>>  Material matters: What’s holding back mass timber?

>>  No NIMBY: City built high-rise housing with ‘minimal blowback’

>>  Women’s wages: Best-paying states for women in construction

>>  Industry innovation: Concrete from used wind turbine blades

The not-so-secret sauce for success

"Culture can't be something that's done periodically or done a few times a year. It's got to be a focus every single week. If it's not, if you take a break from culture, if you have other priorities that seem to rise to the top, that's when… you see drift." 
—Rob Fallow, Fortis Construction, Inc.

How do you build a successful business? On a recent "FMI Built-In Podcast" episode ,Fortis Construction, Inc. president and CEO Rob Fallow tells host Scott Winstead that it comes down to a relentless attention to culture and values. Listen in to find out more about how Fortis grew.

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