Regional subcontractors are navigating the highs and lows of a busy post-pandemic construction environment, growing exponentially while battling continuing labor and supply chain challenges that call for creativity alongside cautious optimism.
At Columbia, the Massachusetts-based construction management firm where I work as executive vice president, there was a 21-member team that was remarkably high-performing.
The Cianbro Cos.’ post-pandemic growth is a testament to its breadth of capabilities and to the value of having a nimble team that can move from one project challenge to the next with diverse skill sets built up over the years.
Labor rates remain relatively steady despite pandemic upheavals, but analysts noted some short-term adjustments to compensation by construction employers in 2020 with ongoing labor shortages continuing to pressure wages.