Austin Chapter AGC
Austin Chapter AGC Monthly News Update
January 2018
In This Issue
Upcoming Chapter Events
2018 Contractor Outlook
Austin Sick Leave Policy
Scheduling Workshop
Outstanding Construction Awards
Health Insurance Quotes
Quick Links

Safety Services

Bidding Information

iSqFt

 Construction Leadership Council 

 

Texas Builds

 
 
CompGroup AGC offers workers' compensation coverage exclusively for commercial construction contractors and sub-contractors. Through our partnership with Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state's leading writer of workers' compensation insurance, CompGroup AGC is able to offer competitive rates, responsive customer service, expert claim handling and extensive loss prevention training and safety programs.
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UPCOMING CHAPTER & INDUSTRY EVENTS
OSHA 10 Hour Outreach - February 22/23

Safety training available on demand!  Contact Rob Williams to schedule. 
CONTRACTORS OPTIMISTIC for 2018, SURVEY SAYS
A recent industry survey found that 75% of construction firms nationwide plan to expand their payrolls in 2018 as contractors are optimistic that economic conditions will remain strong as tax rates and regulatory burdens fall, according to survey results released earlier this month by the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage Construction and Real Estate. Despite the general optimism outlined in Expecting Growth to Continue: The 2018 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook, many firms report they remain worried about workforce shortages and infrastructure funding. 

In Texas, 56% of contractors expect an increase in the available dollar volume of projects available in 2018. Also, 37% of Texas firms cite worker shortage as their top concern. The Texas only survey results are available here.
CITY COUNCIL UNVEILS PAID SICK LEAVE PROPOSAL, SEEKS QUICK APPROVAL  in FEBRUARY
 
As noted in the November 2017 Austin AGC Newsletter, the  City Council is seeking to enact an ordinance requiring all employers in Austin to provide paid sick leave policy for workers.  A draft policy was just released January 19 and the Council is scheduled to vote on this wide-sweeping measure on February 15.  

The proposal is light on detail and unclear on issues impacting contractors whose workers move from jobsite to jobsite in and around Austin on a frequent, sometimes daily, basis.  For example: 
  • Will the new policy only apply to construction companies based in Austin, or will it apply to any construction worker on an Austin jobsite?  
  • Will it apply only the those hours when a worker is on a job with in the Austin city limits? 
  • Can prime contractors be liable for subcontractor violations?
There are many other problems as well with this proposal, especially for smaller construction firms.  

Look for an Advocacy Alert later this week through which you can e-mail City Council with your concerns about this sick leave proposal.  
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULING WORKSHOP - BEGINNER   
 
The workshop covers construction scheduling principles and practical applications using computer software packages. It is designed as an eight-hour instructor-led course to provide background information, knowledge and hands-on experience necessary to effectively use computer software packages as a project management and control tool. Computer applications include baseline schedule development, progress updates, performance analysis and recovery, and data maintenance for projects.

There are two upcoming workshops at the Austin AGC offices, one on February 16 and the other on March 23.  

CONGRATULATIONS to the OUTSTANDING CONSTRUCTION AWARD WINNERS!

Every year the Austin AGC hosts our Outstanding Construction Awards competition. Local projects completed in 2016 are judged on difficulty of construction, final appearance, and timeliness of completion. 

A list of this year's winners is available here.  To register for the annual awards dinner scheduled on February 3 at the AT&T Executive Conference Center,  click here.  This event is always enjoyable and a great way to start off the new year!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Peckar & Abramson's Austin office will be hosting its Rising Star Educational program on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at The Fareground, 111 Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas. The program titled "Document Control" will address document control on construction projects, which is critical to success and risk mitigation. The conference will also address the legal issues surrounding Contract Documents, Change Orders, RFI's, Submittals, Certificates of Insurance/Endorsements and CCD's. Peckar & Abramson attorneys and industry professionals will discuss the latest technologies to maximize efficiency and most effectively manage construction documents.
 
HAVE YOU GOTTEN an INSURANCE QUOTE?
 

We are very excited about our new health insurance plan for Austin AGC member companies.  The Chapter has switched to the new plan and is now saving over 20% in annual premium cost for coverage that is even more generous than our previous insurance plan.   hile we can't guarantee that rate of savings for everyone, we can say that you should   click here and request a quote for your company!