News & Guides

Practical guides and industry news for GC estimators — covering subcontractor management, bid management, prequalification, and construction communications.

Wood framing of a single-family home under construction, representing the April 2026 decline in housing starts.
News May 22, 2026

Single-Family Starts Drop in April: What It Means for GC Pipelines

Single-family housing starts fell in April under pressure from high construction costs, labor shortages, and financing expenses. Here's what GC estimators need to know.

Via NAHB Eye on Housing

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A GC estimator meeting with a trusted subcontractor to review scope on an active project bid.
Guide May 22, 2026

Why a Smaller Subcontractor List Gets You Better Bids on Bid Day

More sub invites doesn't mean better coverage. Here's why GCs get stronger bids by going deeper with fewer, better-qualified subs.

By Zachary Norman

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Construction industry professionals gathered at a financial management conference with presentation screens visible.
News May 21, 2026

CFMC 2026 in Las Vegas: Financial Leadership for GC Principals

AGC and CFMA open registration for the 2026 Construction Financial Management Conference in Las Vegas, October 28–30.

Via AGC News

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Aerial view of a major highway construction project with earthwork and paving operations underway.
News May 21, 2026

Highway Bill BUILD America 250 Act: What GCs Need to Know

The House released a bipartisan five-year highway reauthorization bill. Here's what it means for GC estimators watching the infrastructure pipeline.

Via AGC News

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Construction crew working in a highway work zone with traffic barriers and safety signage visible.
News May 21, 2026

Work Zone Crash Data Shows Rising Risk for Highway GCs

A new AGC and HCSS study finds distracted driving is the top threat in highway work zones, with implications for GC safety planning and bid estimates.

Via AGC News

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Steel framing going up on a public school construction project with net-zero performance targets.
News May 20, 2026

Net-Zero School Construction: High Stakes for GC Estimators

Public school net-zero projects carry compounding risks for GCs: rising costs, aging infrastructure, and performance standards that shift mid-bid.

Via Construction Executive

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Construction safety officer reviewing compliance requirements on an active jobsite.
News May 20, 2026

OSHA Deregulatory Changes GC Estimators Need to Watch

OSHA's proposed deregulatory changes reviewed by ACCSH could shift compliance costs and subcontractor requirements for construction employers.

Via AGC News

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A GC estimator reviewing a subcontractor bid proposal for scope gaps and exclusions before bid day.
Guide May 20, 2026

Red Flags in a Sub Bid That Signal Change Orders Are Coming

Learn how to spot exclusions, vague allowances, and missing line items in a sub bid before you plug the number into your estimate.

By Zachary Norman

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Construction crew gathered for a morning safety briefing before starting fieldwork.
News May 20, 2026

Somatic Awareness Training and What It Means for Jobsite Safety

Construction Executive covers somatic awareness training as a tool for reducing stress-driven safety incidents on jobsites.

Via Construction Executive

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Wood framing of a new residential housing development under construction, viewed from ground level.
News May 19, 2026

Builder Confidence Rises in May but Affordability Stays Broken

Builder sentiment ticked up 3 points in May, but land, labor, and mortgage costs are still squeezing new housing demand. Here's what it means for GC estimators.

Via NAHB Eye on Housing

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Workers in hard hats and safety vests participating in a hands-on construction skills training session at an outdoor facility.
News May 19, 2026

New Arkansas Training Facility Targets the Construction Labor Pipeline

A 40,000-sq-ft workforce training campus breaks ground in Arkansas, backed by AGC's Bowen Prize. What it signals for GC labor availability in the region.

Via AGC News

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A general contractor and subcontractor meeting on a jobsite to discuss an upcoming project scope.
Guide May 18, 2026

What Most GCs Get Wrong About Subcontractor Relationships

Most GCs treat sub relationships as transactional until they need a favor. The ones with bid day coverage built it long before bid day arrived.

By Zachary Norman

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