Plumbing Industry Trends and Construction Info from Lagina Plumbing, Milwaukee

Click on the following links and documents for information on commercial plumbing and construction trends and information.

Outsourcing Will Increase  Use of outsourcing in all project phases will increase through 2014, according to the Tenth Annual Survey of Owners of construction companies, prepared by FMI Corp. and the Construction Management Association of America. According to the report, owners say the following are increasingly important for projects: Selecting the most effective project delivery system; Maintenance management support in both process and technologies; Proactive strategies to avoid claims and disputes; Development and use of a construction management plan; Effective documentation and processes designed to support facility commissioning or turnover.

Expect a Mixed Bag in Construction in 2010, Report Says.  Associated Builders and Contractors members can expect a mixed bag in terms of construction activity in 2010, according to the group’s construction economic outlook that was released last week.
Federally funded projects, such as water/sewer and road resurfacing projects, are likely to see a stable 2010, although others less aligned with federal spending will have a tougher year, the report said, according to this Daily Reporter article.

Sagging Economy Slows Plans for ‘Flamingo Crossings’ at Disney Just beyond the western entrance to Walt Disney World, construction crews are putting the finishing touches on a new network of roads complete with utility lines, street lamps and palm trees — but not a single building. 
The empty streetscape is all that exists so far of “Flamingo Crossings,” a 450-acre lodging-and-shopping district that Disney World announced more than three years ago. It has yet to close a sale, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Commercial Construction at a Standstill in Las Vegas The state bird of Nevada, the construction crane, is on the endangered species list. The good news, at least, is that it still has a few places to roost — maybe an amazing achievement in itself, given the economic climate. Las Vegas research firm Applied Analysis reports there are nine commercial projects of consequence under construction off from the Strip in Southern Nevada. Once most of those projects wind down early next year, there’s not much in the pipeline and development will essentially cease, said Jake Joyce, an analyst with Applied Analysis, in this Las Vegs Sun article.

Construction Market to Increase 11% in 2010, Says McGraw-Hill Construction Outlook Report -- Due to improvement for housing from extremely low levels and broader expansion for public works, the level of construction starts in 2010 is expected to climb 11% to $466.2 billion, following the 25% decline predicted for 2009, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. “The U.S. construction market in 2010 will be helped by growth for several sectors, following three straight years of decline that brought total construction activity down 39% from its mid-decade peak,” said Robert A. Murray, vice president of economic affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction. “The benefits from the stimulus act will broaden in scope, lifting not just highway construction but also environmental public works and several institutional structure types. With continued improvement expected for single family housing, after reaching bottom earlier this year, the overall level of construction activity should see moderate expansion in 2010.”

 

Atlanta Restaurants Fight Green Building Requirements -- Restaurateurs are fighting city officials over proposed legislation that would require businesses here to make their establishments more eco-friendly and drive up costs significantly.

 

A Stimulating Time for Construction - 2009 Market Insights from an American Institute of Architects continuing education program, with data from Reed Construction Data

City of Milwaukee Plumbing Section Staff List

City of Milwaukee Plumbing Inspector District Map