This blog previously discussed the most recent employment numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While the economy as a whole has been working its way back to a full recovery, the construction industry was especially hard hit over the last few years in terms of employment. However, May saw 7,000 construction positions added, which pushed the sector's unemployment level down to 10.8 percent—the lowest level for May in five years.

Furthermore, with a total of 5,804,000 workers employed in the industry, the Los Angeles Times explained that more people are now working in construction than at any time since August 2009.

With construction showing positive growth, it is a perfect time for contractors to review their current insurance policies. Business insurance for contractors needs to be up to date and comprehensive, especially as organizations start to become more profitable.

Real estate is another sector that is showing positive growth, which could also bode well for construction. 

"Firms that have improved their outlook the most are in construction and real estate," explained a semi-annual survey from the Atlanta Fed. "Over the past year and a half, this industry has risen from the least likely to anticipate hiring to the most likely to anticipate hiring."

More job sites and more employees working on them could mean a greater risk for an accident. No contractor wants an injury to occur, but it is essential for firms of all sizes to have the right policies in place to protect against anything from liability claims to construction defect lawsuits.

Partnering with commercial insurance specialists can help company leaders find the best general contractors insurance—and any subsequent policies—that they need. That way, as the construction industry continues to strengthen, the businesses that operate within it will remain strong as well.

Summer is just around the corner, and with the seasonal change likely comes an increase in homeowners wanting to fix up their houses. For individual contractors, landscaping companies or even smaller construction firms, this could be a very profitable time. But with all of that traveling, moving from one location to the next, it is essential that your property remain protected.

Let's say that you are hired to do landscaping for several different homes. You are likely to have a decent supply of tools, and perhaps you even have a truck or van to carry everything. What if you are working at one residence, and some items are stolen from your vehicle? Or, what if you are involved in a car accident after you are leaving a job?

Standard auto insurance will not cover you, and without the right tool insurance, you will likely have to replace all of that equipment on your own. Having the wrong coverage, or a complete lack thereof, can be extremely detrimental for small to medium-sized business owners. 

If you are part of a company that requires you to drive to various locations, and even transport equipment or products for clients, a commercial auto insurance policy is necessary. Basic car insurance will not be enough, and the out of pocket expenses to fix the vehicle or replace merchandise could be devastating.

For construction companies, now is as good of a time as any to see what type of general contractor insurance they have. Workers in these organizations are exposed to dangerous situations at any time of the year, but the warmer weather could see an increase in activity. Everything from a liability lawsuit to construction defect lawsuits should be considered.

How necessary is workers' compensation insurance? In many states, it is required for businesses to have some policy in place. While some companies may feel this is a superfluous protection, only meant for clumsy workers, there are far more issues at hand.

For example, employees at U.S. Steel plants in Michigan and Indiana joined in a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) lawsuit, claiming that time spent putting on and taking off safety equipment is time spent "changing clothes." Under the FLSA, working hours exclude "any time spent in changing clothes" at the beginning or end of the workday that is excluded from "measured working time" under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). 

The employees claim that their protective gear – fire-retardant jackets, fire-retardant pants and steel-toed boots – should not be considered clothes, and that they should be compensated for time spent changing in and out of those items. 

"Although the appellate court ruled that some of the safety items, such as the goggles and earplugs are not clothes, it affirmed the trial court's dismissal of the claim, reasoning that time required to put on and take off the nonclothes items was de minimis and thus not compensable under the FLSA," explained a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) article.

While not all businesses will need to distinguish between clothes and protective gear, it is necessary to understand all guidelines for employee protection. Furthermore, having a comprehensive workers' compensation insurance policy is important for the company itself. Legal fees can be expensive, and having the right coverage can help organizations maintain daily operations, regardless of extenuating circumstances.

Not only can commercial insurance specialists help business owners find the right policy, they will ensure that organization heads understand what they need to be covered for. Business insurance for contractors must take into account workers' needs while still maintaining a company's bottom line.

It should come as no surprise to construction and contracting companies that risk is part of the job. Whether workers are performing a task high above the ground or are using dangerous machinery, it is important to take all necessary precautions to keep employees safe.

However, it is crucial to not stop after implementing safety features like hard hats and protective work gloves. Business owners must guarantee not only the safety of their workers but also account for the possibility that a bystander could be put at risk. Partnering with commercial insurance specialists can help organizations find the right contractor general liability insurance policy.

Making repairs after the storm has passed

Natural disasters can wreak havoc for a number of businesses. This blog has previously discussed Hurricanes Irene and Sandy as well as Winter Storm Nemo. Repair crews were tasked with ensuring that residents and companies were able to receive power. This is one example of a dangerous job that could benefit from a comprehensive policy.

For example, utility companies NStar and National Grid had more than 3,000 crews replace fallen utility poles, rehang wire cables and repair blown transformers that left more than 600,000 customers without power because of Winter Storm Nemo, according to the Boston Globe. It was crucial for these employees to remain diligent in their work, as no one wants to be left without power for long periods of time.

After lackluster response times from previous storms, NStar, National Grid and other companies did not want to face additional fines.

"Communications between the utilities, us, and customers, and cities and towns is orders of magnitude better than it was five years ago," said Ann Berwick, chairwoman of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.

While crews are working quickly, they might put themselves at further risk. This is why having commercial contractors insurance can be greatly beneficial for teams as they try to make repairs.

With the U.S. Department of Labor releasing its most recent jobs report, the nation proved that it’s continuing to work its way back to full strength. While the unemployment rate crept back to 7.9 percent, 157,000 new positions were added. Construction was one of several highlights, as 28,000 jobs were added to that sector in January.

Companies in the construction industry will want to take full advantage of new opportunities, and as such, it’s crucial to take necessary precautions. For example, business owners would be well-advised to work with commercial insurance specialists, to help them find a comprehensive contractor’s policy in place.

California specifically is seeing immense growth in the construction market, according to a BidClerk press release. There was a year-over-year breakout for major-market California public and private construction projects that were actively bidding. A report by the BidClerk Construction Index (BCI) found that overall construction activity increased 20.8 percent.

For example, as reported in the Sacramento Business Journal, Oakmont senior living, a Santa Rosa-based company that has developed more than 30 retirement communities in the Western U.S., has plans to build a community in Sacramento.

Construction on the 80-unit complex began in July 2012 and is set for completion by August of this year. 

“A high-end community, Oakmont will offer one and two-bedroom floor plans with amenities that include a salon and day spa, movie theater, fitness center, activity rooms and an art studio, indoor and outdoor dining, gardens and a pet park,” stated the news source.

A California contractor insurance policy would be especially beneficial in this situation. When building, it’s important for owners to keep tabs on all operations. Accidents can happen and legal costs can be exceedingly expensive. Additionally, appropriate coverage can reassure clients that the contractor they have chosen will be able to handle all requirements of the job.

When Josephine Randall, San Francisco’s first superintendent of recreation, wanted to create a place where children could learn about the environment in a hands-on approach back in 1937, her only location option in Corona Heights, California, was the the city’s old jail on Ocean Avenue. While the Randall Museum moved in 1951, it is set for another makeover.

Scott Weiner, on the state board of supervisors, said in a statement that a $6 million grant was approved in 2011, which will pay for the construction costs to double the area of the exhibit and programming space.

The most popular exhibit is the live animal room where kids can walk right into a pen with rabbits, chickens and ducks and see other native creatures. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, that will close until 2015 so the area can be redesigned with a more natural look. Also, a geology and zoology exhibit will also be added. Renovated classrooms will allow for more of the unique programming that draws nearly 100,000 visitors a year.

“This is the only place in the city where kids and adults can go to a woodworking shop together,” Chris Boettcher, Randall’s executive director, told the Chronicle. “The bulk of it hasn’t changed since the 1950s.”

The news source added that this is the largest grant the city has received from the California Department of Parks and Recreation under Proposition 84 in 2006, which allocated $5.4 billion to foster environmental awareness programs. 

For organizations in California that  are either undergoing renovations, or are beginning to build a business, it’s important for company decision-makers to have everything properly insured throughout the entire process. Working with commercial insurance specialists can guarantee that a comprehensive California business insurance policy is found. Additionally, a company should be protected with contractors insurance during the construction process.

Las Vegas is well-known for its extravagant entertainment options. However, MGM Resorts International decided to undergo a massive renovation of it’s 3,000-room resort in Mandalay Bay. This is the first makeover since 1999 and is set to be completed by summer of this year. 

Mandalay Bay President Chuck Bowling recently spoke with Vegas Inc. to discuss the changes happening to his hotels and venues and why they’re going to continue to keep the businesses competitive.

According to Bowling, the ambitious project started as wanting to redefine the resort experience. He said that Mandalay Bay officials understood that there were certain areas that the resort wasn’t the best in, and they wanted to change that.

For example, a concert occurred at the House of Blues, but there wasn’t an A-list show, he said. Customers would catch a cab to attend a better show across town. However, by creating a partnership with Cirque du Soleil and the Michael Jackson estate, the Las Vegas site is hoping to cement its entertainment line. 

“As Las Vegas continues to recover, we want MGM and Mandalay Bay to be positioned to get their fair share of the business,” Bowling told the news source. “We think these investments will make sure we attract people here for the first time and give us the best opportunity to bring back people who haven’t seen us in a while.”

While there is construction happening, Bowling explained that there is still lots to offer customers. Even though three restaurants might be shut down, he said there are still 17 others available.

Whether a company is breaking ground for the first time, or is attempting a facelift like Mandalay Bay, ensuring that the organization is properly insured throughout the process is crucial. Partnering with commercial insurance specialists can help organizations find Nevada contractor insurance and a comprehensive business policy.

Dunkin’ Donuts, the popular alternative to Starbucks, is making a move to the West Coast. On Wednesday, the Canton, Massachusetts-based company announced that it had plans to return to the Southern California market by opening 150 stores in two years. Eventually, the goal is to have 1,000 locations statewide.

The Los Angeles Times reported that while analysts believe there are many obstacles for the coffee company to overcome, it could easily establish itself in the Golden State, as it has elsewhere in the nation.

The news source added that Dunkin’ Donuts had previously set up shop in California in the early 1990s, but withdrew their few dozen franchises. Now, the coffee giant hopes to adequately compete against other breakfast and donut companies in an already crowded market.

“Growth just never comes easy; expectations have to be set appropriately,” Conrad Lyon, an analyst at B. Riley & Co, told the news source. “When you go into a new territory, there’s a nice honeymoon period where sales tend to be strong out of the gate, but then they slow down and could take years, if not decades, to build back up.”

According to the company website, by 2015 franchisees plan to have the 150 stores open in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Ventura and Orange counties. It added that it hopes to eventually cross the border and expand into Nevada.

When companies decide to break ground, it’s important for business owners to keep many factors in the forefront of their minds. Having a comprehensive California contractors insurance policy is important for organizations building new structures. That way, throughout the entire construction process, employees and bystanders are protected.

Additionally, working with commercial insurance specialists can help companies find California business insurance, which will be necessary for once the doors officially open for customers.

When businesses are looking to expand their organizations and build more locations, it's important for company decision-makers to take the proper precautions in the process. Not only is it necessary to have a comprehensive commercial insurance policy in place for when the firm is up-and-running, it's important to keep employees protected throughout the expansion process as well.

For example, builder's risk insurance will cover an organization's insurable interest in materials, fixtures and/or equipment being used in the construction of a building or structure should any items sustain physical loss or damage from a covered cause.

In September, a VegasINC article explored the increase of medical facilities being built in Nevada. The news source said that skilled nursing centers and hospital expansions were in the works. 

"There's no guarantee all of the projects will be built," the article explained. "To be sure, the valley has seen its share of unrealized projects, and commercial construction in general is almost nonexistent in the region. Financing is difficult, if not impossible, to obtain."

However, a more recent VegasINC piece discussed the success of a $5 million hospice center set to open in the southwest Las Vegas Valley in mid-May. According to the news source, Infinity Hospice Care started construction in the fall on a two-building, 19,000-square-foot campus on South Jones Boulevard. 

Infinity is a family-run business, Brian Bertram working as vice president, his mother taking the helm as president and his brother, Darren, holding down the CEO position.

Companies like Infinity that are seeking business growth in the Las Vegas and surrounding areas would be wise to invest in Nevada business insurance along with Nevada contractors insurance. That way, they can be completely protected for a number of situations throughout the entire expansion process and beyond. 

Few would consider a post office to be a historical monument, but that is exactly how many Reno residents view their former source for mail. The 78-year-old building closed last week, and while the post office is changing locations, the iconic three-story, terra-cotta building will be home to new companies.

As reported by the Reno Gazette-Journal, a group of developers will begin their plans to remake the former post office into an upscale retail center early next year. Additionally, the upstairs offices will be transformed into modern businesses.

The news source added that the Reno City Council has been eyeing the post office for some time as a place for a redevelopment project. However, negotiations between the city and the United States Postal Service were never able to go anywhere.

Mella Harmon, the historic preservation consultant working for the developers, explained to the Gazette-Journal that nothing shocking will happen to the building. The National Historic Register of Historic Places owns the structure, which means it must maintain its historical flair. Any proposed changes must be approved by the State Historic Preservation Office and the Reno City Council and Redevelopment Agency.

"It's truly a masterpiece," Sheryln Hayes-Zorn, the acting director of the Nevada Historical Society told the news source. "It's kind of a sad passing phase of downtown history; at least one positive thing is they're still going to use the building in a positive light."

When renovation jobs like the Reno post office must be undertaken, it's important for companies to have a comprehensive Nevada contractor insurance policy. That way, as construction and building occurs, a business can rest assured that it's fully covered for a number of situations.

Partnering with a firm specializing in commercial property insurance can also help an organization find the right Nevada business insurance policy once construction is complete.