Small builds gaining ground

Are you ready for the holidays? This week, we look at new research on how to address construction workers’ increased stress as year-end observances arrive. We also explain why genAI isn’t appropriate for everything, why you should consider the small industrial sector and how to build more resilient homes.  

But first, who knew the insides of some musical instruments resemble building interiors?!

>>  Makes a great gift! You might want to add this recliner bulldozer to your holiday wish list. 

>>  🐶 Going to the dogs! Clients who love dogs and cooking will appreciate this clever bonus feature from Conestoga Country Kitchens.  

>>  Fabulous fabrication. Check out this nature-inspired entry gate by Caged Crow Fabrication. 

>>  Up on the rooftop…We’ve all left tools behind, but you’d think someone would have noticed this lying on their roof.

Crews need extra mental health support

The holidays aren’t happy for everyone. A new study shows that 57% of employees consider this period the most mentally taxing season of the year. Financial stress is the most common source of strain.  

The added emotional burden can be especially hard on construction workers, who are already struggling with increased production pressures thanks to the labor shortage. And that's on top of the continuing high level of mental health issues plaguing the industry. Data show that about 20% of the workforce deals with substance abuse and more than 5,000 crew members die by suicide annually.  

But there are ways to help. Effective interventions include peer-to-peer support, quiet rooms and mental health provider visits to job sites. Any effort to ease crew members’ emotional and mental loads can pay off.  

“From a bottom-line perspective, it has a very positive effect,” notes James Smith, a Brigham Young University associate professor who has undertaken a long-term study on mental health in the industry.

Why it matters: Unresolved mental health challenges reduce productivity because of missed days or slower work and raise costs from replacing workers or incurring late fees. With economic conditions unlikely to change and the holidays ramping up quickly, investing in mental and emotional health support for your crew is good business. (KUTV)

AI isn’t an attorney

If you’re like most people, you probably use AI to generate emails and punch lists. Those are great ways to free up time for other tasks. But using it for contracts and other legal documents isn’t a good idea, according to construction attorney Megan Shapiro. “I would be terrified if I heard of anybody using it to generate a contract,” she says. “Consumer confidence in the output is increasing, despite the fact that I think the quality of the output is decreasing.” She says the mistakes made by generative AI and the frequency with which they occurred are “shocking.” 

Why it matters: Using AI as a way to avoid paying your attorney could end up costing you more, especially if the technology slacks on risk management or misses key clauses. To adequately protect your business—which is the whole point of contracts in the first place—you’re better off working with a legal professional. (Construction Dive)

Signs of growth in smaller industrial sector

While mega projects grab the headlines, the number of industrial projects under 100,000 square feet quietly increases. New research shows 16% growth over the year, approaching the record highs of 2022. 

“The 25,000–100,000 square-foot segment has remained resilient and consistent in adding supply, even as we have seen starts for larger properties of 100,000+ square feet halve over the last three years,” notes Yardi Research Director Peter Kolaczynski. 

Why it matters: The rise in smaller builds is good news for contractors who can’t compete for bigger bids. Reach out to developers in your area to see who has lower square footage projects in their pipelines. (Commercial Cafe)

>>  Walkers welcome: Considering car-free communities

>>  Unceasing uncertainty: HVAC, sheet metal firms prepare 

>>  Wildfire wisdom: Community aims for critical mass

>>  Labor law: NY eyes compensation floor for some affordable builds

How to build high-performance affordable housing

"[It’s] been really rewarding to be able to share the what-to-dos and the what-not-to-dos. I don't ever want to make it seem like I've got it all figured out, you know? I'm trying to make all the mistakes quickly, learn from those and then improve, and don't do that again. So I'm happy to share…the truth of this." 
—Rob Howard, Howard Building Science

As concerns over housing affordability and resilience grow, builders are looking for the best construction techniques to deliver quality, cost-effective structures. One contractor happy to share lessons learned is Rob Howard, founder of Howard Building Science, who joined "Structure Talk" podcast hosts Tessa Murry and Reuben Saltzman to chat about constructing affordable homes that foster community, enable energy efficiency and deliver resilience.

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