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Why is there more work for specialty contractors like electricians?

Oct 4, 2024
It has to do with building new data centers and retrofitting old office buildings.
The specialty contractors sector includes electricians, plumbers and painters. Most of the new jobs in the sector are in nonresidential work.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

Why home improvement retailers are going after pro contractors

May 21, 2024
Lowe’s reported that first quarter sales are down from the same period last year, but spending by professionals is up.
About 25% to 30% of Lowe’s sales are to professional contractors.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

This Connecticut contractor says rising demand has left him “overwhelmed”

Aug 25, 2022
Bruce Ridenour has been a contractor for 40 years and said local contractors in Danbury, Connecticut don't have bandwidth to handle all the new demand.
“As the work comes more and more, faster and faster, it just comes more and more to those of us who are left,” Bruce Ridenour said.
ljubaphoto/Getty Images

Lumber isn't the only thing that's getting more expensive for contractors

Apr 22, 2021
Everything that goes into a building project, from diesel fuel to plastics to gypsum for drywall, is getting more expensive.
Sharply rising prices for all kinds of raw materials are hurting residential and commercial builders alike.
Al Bello/Getty Images

Uber, Lyft threaten to stop service in California

Aug 20, 2020
The dispute could put jobs at stake during the pandemic.
The conflict has come after a judge supported a state law that classifies drivers as employees, not contractors.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Why is it so hard for the government to buy PPE?

May 11, 2020
ProPublica's David McSwane said brokers are trying to profit off of unprecedented demand for face masks.
Workers produce face masks at the Thai Hospital Product Co. factory in Bangkok.
Jonathan Klein/Getty Images

Some contractors worry California’s AB 5 will limit their flexibility

Sep 11, 2019
Advocates say it will provide vital benefits to misclassified workers. But drivers, nail technicians and other gig workers don't want to endanger their ability to set their own hours.
Under the new California bill, nail salons would have to classify their technicians as employees. Above, a nail salon in San Francisco.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Can Cleveland require contractors to hire local workers?

Apr 30, 2019
The Supreme Court of Ohio will decide.
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland is undergoing a $185 million renovation. The construction firm on the project has voluntarily agreed to comply with a local ordinance that requires contractors on certain publicly funded construction projects allocate at least 20% of the work hours to Cleveland residents.
Adrian Ma/ideastream

The temp industry is at an all-time high

Jun 17, 2016
From medicine to hotel housekeepers, large staffing agencies supply temporary and contract workers.
courtesy Flexographic Trade Services