Construction

Why February 2026’s Jobs Report Was an Anomaly, Not a Trend

April 6, 2026 by Tim McMahon

Image created by Bing AI

When the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the February 2026 employment report, the headline number sent a jolt through financial markets: nonfarm payrolls had dropped by 92,000, a dramatic reversal from January’s solid gain. Economists and commentators rushed to declare the labor market was cracking. They were wrong — or at least, they were telling the wrong story.

February was a perfect storm of one-time disruptions stacking on top of each other. When you look closer, the underlying labor market looks nothing like the headline number suggests.

January Was Stronger Than It First Appeared

Let’s start with the baseline. The original January payroll figure of +126,000 was subsequently revised upward by 34,000 to +160,000. That’s a meaningfully strong month, representing solid underlying demand for workers. The February weakness has to be understood against that backdrop, not against a weaker starting point. [Read more…] about Why February 2026’s Jobs Report Was an Anomaly, Not a Trend

From Layoff to Lift-Off: Starting Your Own Construction Business

June 25, 2024 by Tim McMahon

The construction business can be very volatile. One day everyone is too busy and the next day people are getting laid off left and right. If you’ve recently experienced a layoff in the construction industry, you may be considering taking your skills and expertise to the next level by starting your own construction business. This transition can be both challenging and rewarding, but with the right skills and information, you can turn this setback into a successful lift-off for your entrepreneurial journey.

Finding Your Niche in the Industry

Before diving headfirst into launching your construction business, it’s crucial to identify and hone in on your niche. Start by reflecting on your skills, experience, and passions within the industry. Do you have a knack for residential construction, excelling in building family homes and multifamily units? Or perhaps your expertise lies in commercial projects, such as office buildings, retail centers, or large-scale renovations. Consider whether you possess specialized knowledge in emerging trends like sustainable and green building practices, or you want to focus on the tried and true, like remodeling and repairs for Senior Citizens. By identifying a niche, you can target a specific market segment, tailor your services to meet particular needs and distinguish yourself from the competition.

Once you’ve pinpointed your niche, conduct thorough market research to understand demand, competition, and potential client needs. Look into industry reports, local construction trends, and potential gaps in the market that your new business could fill. Networking with industry professionals and joining construction trade organizations can also offer valuable insights and opportunities. Ultimately, having a clear niche enables you to develop a focused business strategy, streamline your marketing efforts, and build a reputation as an expert in your chosen field. Remember, carving out your specific place within the construction sector can significantly enhance your chances of success and long-term growth.

Construction Consultants: What Are They and How to Work With Them

June 9, 2023 by Tim McMahon

Construction consultants are professionals who work with construction companies to ensure that projects are completed on time and on budget, while also ensuring that the finished product is of high quality. They perform a variety of tasks including:

Project Monitoring
Document and Cost Review
Cost to Completion Analysis
Property Condition Assessments
Lender Representation Services
Other Specialty Services including Permit and Certificate Monitoring, Environmental Assessment, Asbestos and Lead Paint Assessment, Private Equity Representation and loan modifications,

To ensure that your project runs smoothly with the help of construction consultants, there are certain tips that you should keep in mind. In this article, we will discuss 3 essential tips that can help you work efficiently with construction consultants and achieve successful outcomes.

Tip #1: Communication is Key

When working with a construction consultant, it is essential to establish clear lines of communication. The consultant should be included in all aspects of the project from the beginning to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the project’s objectives and requirements. Regular communication through scheduled meetings, emails, and phone calls can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the project stays on track.

It is important to keep in mind that the construction consultant is there to provide guidance and support to the construction team. As such, it is important to be open to their suggestions and recommendations. A good construction consultant can bring fresh ideas to the table and help the construction team overcome any obstacles that may arise during the project.

Tip #2: Start With a Clearly Defined Scope of Work

Before commencing any project, it is important to establish a clear scope of work. This should outline the specific tasks and milestones that are required to complete the project successfully. The construction consultant should be involved in this process, helping to ensure that the scope of work is realistic and achievable. [Read more…] about Construction Consultants: What Are They and How to Work With Them

Secure Careers That Don’t Require A Lot Of Education

January 26, 2022 by Tim McMahon

Deciding on a career path can be stressful. Finding a good secure job that doesn’t require a college education can be difficult. With so many options out there, you want to make sure you pick a career path businesses will need. Knowing the current job market trends can help alleviate some of the stress. Certain jobs will always be in demand.

Nursing Assistant or Orderly

There will always be a need for nurses. A certified nursing assistant or CNA is the lowest rung on the Nursing ladder and doesn’t require a lot of education. A CNA assists patients in their health care needs in a hospital, clinic, or nursing home. A registered nurse supervises them. To be a CNA, you only need a high school diploma or GED. Some states require CNAs to pass a competency exam to become licensed or certified. A CNA needs to take a patient’s vitals, serve food, bathe and dress them and be strong enough to move or lift patients when necessary. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas. Overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030. In 2020, CNAs and Orderlies earned an average of between $30-31,000/yr. [Read more…] about Secure Careers That Don’t Require A Lot Of Education

No Work Experience? Here Are Some Interesting Job Possibilities

January 19, 2022 by Tim McMahon

Looking for work can be daunting. Even when lots of job openings seem available, you might quickly discover that many of them have educational and experience requirements you don’t have. Fortunately, you can find work faster if you look into fields of work that require little to no experience.

Grocery Stores

Whether it’s working as a cashier, bagger, or stock clerk, grocery stores need plenty of people to keep food goods and customers moving. The work is simple enough for on-the-job training. It seems like a low-paying position, but grocery stores pay their employees quite well.

Restaurants

Cooks and managers at regular restaurants might need experience. Waitstaff, greeters, busboys, and dishwashers often don’t. Fastfood is always looking for cooks as well. There are often opportunities for flexible schedules and working your way up if you enjoy working where you do. If you find the right place, you may love the environment more than the work and stay for the ones that take good care of you. [Read more…] about No Work Experience? Here Are Some Interesting Job Possibilities

Hard Day’s Work: 4 Ways to Prepare for Working a Construction Job

February 7, 2018 by Tim McMahon

Working a construction job is a great way to apply your skills, stay fit, and enjoy a solid income. But it can also be dangerous if you aren’t properly prepared. Here are a few easy preparations, so you can be sure that the time you give to your trade will be safe, worthwhile and effective.

Have the Right Gear

A construction site offers a unique set of physical characteristics that require the right gear to effectively accommodate. For you, this may mean a pair of steel-toed boots to protect your feet, a hard hat to protect your head, or rain gear to ensure you stay dry and comfortable in case it starts raining. An interesting quote from Ben’s Cleaner Sales says “When your job requires you and your employees to work with pressure washers or outside during the rain, you want quality rain equipment to keep you dry. When you are dry and comfortable, you are more productive… Plus, most of our rain gear is brightly colored and equipped with reflective stripes for safety.” So it is important to remember that when the weather is bad visibility is also lower, so the addition of bright colors and reflective materials can also improve your safety.

You must keep in mind that you may be exposed to the elements up to your entire workday, so you need to dress to ensure you remain comfortable if that ends up being the case. If it’s cold, dress in layers so you can shed layers as you heat up while performing work. If it’s warm, wear clothing that will wick sweat away from your body so you don’t end up with wet, uncomfortable clothes all day. Two critical pieces of personal equipment you should have are construction boots and a reflective vest. Simply by wearing these to a construction site you show the job foreman that you are serious and ready to work.

Study up

If this is your first time working in the construction industry, being able to understand what’s being asked from you, right from the start, will help you reach greater heights in the industry. Know specific terminology that is used in your field, and understand how to use the tools of your specific trade. Two certifications that you can easily get are your OSHA 10 certification and your “Flagman” certification as you’ll see in this video these two certifications will take you a total of 14 hours to get and will go a long way toward getting your foot in the door of the construction industry.

Over time you will certainly improve in all these areas through daily exposure and hands-on learning, but if you don’t know much when you show up to a job site, the learning curve is going to be difficult and potentially dangerous.

Get Enough Sleep

Since your safety and the safety of others on the job site depend on [Read more…] about Hard Day’s Work: 4 Ways to Prepare for Working a Construction Job

How Much Does a Brick Mason Earn?

February 14, 2013 by Jorgen Rex Olson

Brick Mason Salary

While being among the highest paid trades in the construction industry, brick masons’ wages have been stagnant over recent years due to the slump in the housing industry.

Although their numbers constitute a rather small category within the group of trades making up the construction industry, brick masons do very well in comparison to their colleagues. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2011 the mean or average income for a brick mason was $54,210 annually or about $27.04 per hour. This puts them only just below the first-line construction supervisors averaging $59,280 per year or $28.50 hourly. Compare this with their Construction Laborer colleagues earning $26,490 per year and you have a significant wage disparity. Brick masons also do very well in comparison to the technical trades. The mean incomes for electricians, plumbers and heating tradespeople during 2011 were $41,860, $44,330 and $38,470 respectively, or, on average, 23% less than for brick masons.

Construction is Picking Up

Considering the recent increase in activity for both residential and commercial construction, all of the building trades, and especially brick masons, have reason to celebrate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting a 40 percent increase in employment for the bricklaying trade during the ten-year period beginning 2010 through 2020. This compares with only a 14 percent increase for all occupations combined. Given this sudden growth in demand for additional bricklaying capacity, it seems inevitable that wages are bound to rise – or are they? During the single year from May 2010 to May 2011, the median annual income for Brick Masons actually dropped from $46,930 to $46,800; less than 1 percent but still a decrease. The median is that number at which half of the reported wages fall above and the other half is below.

Annual Wages for Brick Masons

Year — Median Income

2002 — $41,840

2003 — $41,550

2004 — $41,740

2005 — $41,860

2006 — $42,980

2007 — $44,070

2008 — $45,630

2009 — $46,740

2010 — $46,930

2011 — $46,800

It is clear from the data, that [Read more…] about How Much Does a Brick Mason Earn?