My estimating background has trained me to look for indicators that will predict the future cost for the design and construction of a construction project. Over the 50 plus years in the construction business, I have researched those trends and have developed leading indicators that...

Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that the second quarter inflation was at a forty-year high of 5.4%.  The core consumer price increase was 8.3% (excluding food and energy). To the Construction industry, Inflation is a four-letter word.  Until recently, this word had slipped out...

In Georgia, many things are returning to normal.  For example, weekend traffic on the roads is back and close to the congested experience prior to the pandemic.  Comments about workday traffic include similar observations.  The expected impact will be an increase in the truck traffic...

As I reflect over one of the most unusual years that we have ever had, I am reminded of one fact – ‘there is always a way’.  One of our most powerful Core Values at DRB is - “Focus on the Solution, not the Problem. ...

The construction estimator’s role is to quantify the project work and assess the cost.  Often this task includes a projection of the future anticipated cost.  To accurately project future costs, I have relied on leading indicators that help guide the estimate projections plus future construction...

Whatever the outcome, rest assured that hotel and general building designs WILL change. ...

One of our core principles continues to be “The answer is always in the solution, never in the problem” What we find is that people will continuously talk about the Problem and seldom focus on the Solution.  Helping clients find solutions has been the hallmark of our success initially...

Construction Industry has been extremely active stretching the resources of the contractor and designer’s staffs.  One common cause of project disputes is that the industry attempts to put a “B” team on a project that requires the “A” team.  This often results in project difficulties or worse - disputes.   The...

In March, the US Government announced their intention to level new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.   Tariffs on steel were to be 25% and aluminum was to be 10%.  The United States Department of Commerce indicates that the U.S. is the world’s largest importer...

The Ongoing Concern for Skilled Laborers in the Construction Industry is Getting Worse During the last seven years, the construction market has demonstrated healthy and steady growth.  The recent natural disasters across the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean can only continue to impact the ever increasing gap...