Construction Trends

It’s clear that growth in the construction industry shows no signs of slowing. However, this area is seeing some significant changes that will ultimately reshape the way projects are handled. Offsite construction is a growing trend that radically reshapes the way projects are managed onsite. Project managers rely on offsite construction for major parts of the project and may spend only a limited amount of time assembling the parts and pieces in their final destination. Purchasing pre-made modules can speed up construction significantly and allow contractors to take on a greater number of projects.

New technology on the worksite is changing how projects are managed as well. Robots can tackle dangerous tasks in pit mines or take on the monotonous and strenuous job of tying rebar. Drones offer a stunning view of the job site from above, and project management apps help tie it all together for smoother flow from beginning to end. Top contractors know the importance of following these innovations and implementing new technology when possible.

Handling Construction Labor Shortages

There’s great potential for anyone interested in working in the construction industry. According to the Commercial Construction Index produced by USG Corporation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 80 percent of contractors have steady or increasing backlogs. Optimism about new business prospects is on the rise, and the majority of contractors expect to see revenue growth in the coming year. Fifty-eight percent of contractors are looking to hire more workers.

For those who can’t get the labor they need, prefabricated and modular elements are an appealing solution. In fact, 62 percent of contractors are already relying on this technology. These components are particularly popular in the Northeast and Midwest where more than 60 percent of contractors are using prefabrication and modular components for their jobs. Cost savings, increased labor productivity, and a reduced schedule are among the compelling reasons contractors are choosing this option.

For the third quarter in a row, contractors expect to spend more on tools and equipment in the next six months. In the first quarter, 59 percent were expecting to increase their investments in this area. For those who don’t want to spend this money on major equipment, rentals continue to be a cost-saving solution

Preparing for Your Projects

General contractors may work on a wide variety of projects. This can include both residential and commercial construction. In this diverse area, you might perform a complete build from the ground up, tackle renovations, or even assist with relatively minor updates. A general contractor’s job centers around management more than labor. It’s important to know how to properly evaluate a project, find the best talent, and put together a timeline.

You should begin each project by outlining what’s involved. Review the necessary steps, from the initial site preparation to those critical finishing touches. Detail the materials and equipment that you’ll need along the way and estimate the necessary cost for these items. General contractors typically handle a diverse range of projects, so renting equipment is often more affordable and appropriate than purchasing major items like boom lifts or bulldozers. Estimate the time to completion for each step and get approval from your client to start tackling the project.

Essential Equipment for General Construction Management

In general construction management, you may find yourself responsible for every phase of the project. It’s crucial that you properly assess your equipment needs at every stage. It’s unlikely that you’ll need all your equipment rentals on-site at once. Staggering your rentals will keep the job site from becoming too cluttered and ensure that you’re dealing with only what you need for each stage of the project. Planning ahead, you can make arrangements for timely rentals, so you can work confidently knowing that the equipment you need will be delivered on time when you’re ready for it.

If you’re preparing a lot for new construction, you may need to begin with earthmoving equipment. Bulldozers move large amounts of dirt for rough grading, while drum rollers can come in for heavier compaction. You may need an excavator or trencher to lay piping. As the building comes together, lift equipment such as a scissor lift or boom lift will elevate you to greater heights, so you can tackle siding, electrical, and other projects that take place off the ground.

You may want to consider additional construction site services to streamline your project throughout all stages. A dumpster provides a convenient place for unwanted items if you’re gutting and rehabbing a building. Light towers will provide essential illumination while storage containers can keep your tools and smaller equipment safe overnight.

Managing Your Timeline

As most experienced contractors will tell you, projects rarely progress along the timeline as expected. Though some delays may be inevitable, it’s important to take active measures to keep things moving forward at a steady pace. Implement clear lines of communication between all your workers. Make yourself available for questions and concerns so you don’t find out about an issue once you’re already running days late on a project. Addressing questions early can help you avoid major errors down the road.

Work carefully to coordinate work between subcontractors so you can handle everything as efficiently as possible. In many cases, you’ll find that it’s possible to keep multiple subcontractors moving on the project at once. However, you need to take special care to maintain proper safety procedures for any job that requires the use of large machinery, particularly if you’re working on a smaller job site. Having too many large equipment rentals on the site at once will increase your potential for safety hazards and may slow everyone down as various subcontractors try to work around one another.

Conclusion

General contracting and construction management is a broad job that requires a vast range of skills, from analyzing a new project carefully to sourcing the equipment, materials, and skilled workers that are necessary to make the client’s dream a reality. With smart strategies and an organized approach, you can enjoy a successful career in this booming industry.

Floor Care and Surface Preparation

The floor care industry has experienced noticeable growth in recent years. The industry’s growth correlates with that of the United States economy and the expanding popularity of e-commerce and its detrimental effect on brick-and-mortar retail locations. Many retail facilities that are suffering from lost income have been repurposed to accommodate businesses such as recreation, lodging, and food services.

Floor care is a significant and intentional part of ensuring the longevity of a floor’s finish. Caring for the floor includes deep cleaning to remove dirt and debris, making repairs, and replacing the finish. Surface preparation is the process of preparing the substrate to receive the desired floor finish. The proper surface prep of concrete floors, such as shot blasting, is the most important part of the flooring process and greatly influences the outcome of the finished product.

Due to their resilience when subjected to dirt, water, and heavy use, concrete floors have become the standard in today’s commercial and industrial facilities and allow for endless floor finish options. Floor care and surface preparation is an integral part of the construction process. For example, you wouldn’t want to prepare a floor for commercial use that is intended for industrial use. Could you imagine a forklift making a 90-degree turn or scraping its forks on an LVT floor? The results would be disastrous. Thus, floor care and surface preparation are vital to the construction industry.

The costs incurred with floor care and surface preparation differ depending on the process and whether you rent or buy the necessary equipment. For example, when stripping floors and polishing floors, you would need a floor stripping machine. These machines can range from $8,000 to $40,000 to purchase.

Floor Care and Surface Preparation Equipment and Technology

Floor care and surface preparation equipment and technology have evolved as manufacturers refine and invent new equipment. The types of floor care and surface preparation techniques also play a fundamental part in how the industry has evolved. These techniques depend on the technological advancements of the equipment and their capabilities.

You can best prepare concrete flooring for commercial or industrial flooring applications to receive the floor finish or high shine epoxy coatings via shot blasting, grinding, and polishing. These processes require the use of shot blasting machines, a floor grinder, and floor scrubbers. Preparing the substrate is critical to the finished product’s success.

As the commercial world adapts to consumers’ ever-broadening requirements, the demand for floor care and surface preparation services increases. Industry guidelines for floor care and surface preparation and the use of such equipment include:

Inspecting the concrete substrate.

Removing and replacing nondurable concrete.

Decontaminating the concrete’s surface.

Creating the profiled surface area.

Repairing surface irregularities.

Types of Floor Care and Surface Preparation

With the influx of new and improved products every year, flooring is in a constant state of change. Along with the expansion in flooring products, there have been advancements in the preparation of the subfloor or substrate and the care of the floor finish. Types of floor care and surface preparation include:

Cutting concrete requires a specially designed saw. This type of saw is used to create decorative designs that add character to concrete flooring.

Shot blasting is a process that prepares a recently poured concrete surface or an existing concrete surface to receive the floor finish. This process is excellent for commercial and industrial flooring applications and is 99 percent dust-free. Shot blasting creates the profiled surface area necessary to install the floor finish or to apply high shine epoxy coatings to the substrate. This process requires a concrete shot blasting machine.

When an area of the floor is inaccessible to shot blasting, you can grind it using a floor grinder equipped with a coarse diamond wheel. This process is excellent for preparing a concrete floor to receive the pad necessary to lay carpet.

Polishing is the process of bringing the floor finish to a clean, vibrant shine using chemical cleaners and polishes. This also includes removing dirt and any excess water left by the process. Use floor scrubbers and floor polishing machines with chemical cleaners and polishes for the deep cleaning necessary to achieve the desired high shine.

Scarifying is the process by which a scarifying machine works to remove deteriorated concrete or a coating using steel or carbide-tipped cutters.

Scraping and stripping floors are necessary for removing floor coverings that use adhesive to affix them to the substrate. Tile, carpet with pad, and vinyl are just a few of the coverings that scraping and stripping floors can remove. This process requires floor scraping equipment and stripping machines.

When working to remove the adhesive and pad left behind from old carpeting, dust control is essential. Collecting the dust generated by surface preparation is vital for a clean and safe work environment and involves the use of dust-collecting machines.

Different types of floor care and surface preparation varies in cost from one another. The materials and the equipment are different for each of the processes that are detailed above. As an example of the associated costs, floor prep equipment can range from $200 to upward of $45,000 for purchasing the equipment and $77 per day to $7,000 or more per month to rent the equipment.

As with all construction, there are inherent hazards. Floor care and surface preparation will also incur the cost of personal protection equipment. This includes protective masks for dust and chemicals, safety glasses or goggles, heavy-duty boots, gloves, and hearing protection.

The life expectancy of different types of floor care and surface preparation methods are not set in stone. In short, they are based on how the floor will be used. If the floor is that of an industrial warehouse subjected to forklifts, pallet jacks, dust, dirt, water, grease, oil, and much more, then its life expectancy will be shorter than that of a commercial facility’s floor.

When contractors in the floor care industry choose to rent material handling equipment for their jobs, they bypass the expenses of maintaining, transporting, and storing the equipment. This is why they trust Bigrentz to deliver the quality equipment they need directly to their job site. Our extremely knowledgeable staff is here to advise you when determining the right equipment to rent for your job. We suggest that you explore our website for the equipment you need.

The Face of the Facilities Maintenance Industry

Facilities maintenance refers to the tasks involved in keeping a structure in safe and operable condition. This includes routine maintenance to prevent failures and extend the lifespan of systems and buildings as well as responsive repairs to address any problems.

Facilities maintenance is often outsourced. About 87 percent of facilities outsource some or all of their maintenance services because their maintenance staff doesn’t have the time, skills, or knowledge to handle these tasks. Though maintenance often goes unseen by the occupants in a building, it’s necessary for everything from apartment homes to hospitals to shopping malls. Facilities maintenance ensures that these buildings are functional and hazard-free for those who use them.

Trends in Facilities Maintenance

Facilities maintenance is a well-established industry, but the tactics and techniques that are used within it are constantly evolving.

Green buildings are in higher demand, and facilities maintenance professionals are looked to for sustainable solutions that will minimize their facilities’ impacts on the environment. Building owners are expected to invest $960 billion in environmentally friendly building upgrades over the next six years. Smart facilities maintenance practices can help building owners achieve their goals by keeping up with HVAC maintenance for better energy efficiency or using green cleaning products to cut back on pollutants.

Something as simple as swapping out building lighting for more efficient bulbs can make a big difference in the facility’s energy use. By renting a scissor lift for a few days, you can easily upgrade lighting throughout the building for an instant impact on your utility bill.

As in any market, cost savings are always a driving factor behind new innovations. In building maintenance, this is being achieved with the adoption of new technologies. Building automation tools can handle everything from indoor air quality to lighting. Paired with analytics tools, these give maintenance teams the information they need to make informed decisions about the proper schedule for maintenance and other services.

What Facility Maintenance Managers Do

Facility maintenance managers have a broad range of responsibilities. Not only are they responsible for handling maintenance on an as-needed basis, but they must also plan and prepare for regular ongoing maintenance tasks to ensure that their facilities stay in prime condition. This includes:

Evaluate the building’s past needs, current situation, and crucial requirements going forward. This includes noting installation dates and lifespans for major systems, noting the building’s strengths and weaknesses, and performing a thorough audit to assess the effectiveness of maintenance measures.

Pinpoint systems that are underperforming or outdated and research the cost savings and other benefits associated with an upgrade.

Evaluate the age and efficiency of a system to determine whether it’s more cost effective to maintain and repair a unit or replace it with a more efficient model.

Evaluate the cost of preventative maintenance, repair maintenance, and upgrades over a specified time frame for budgeting purposes.

Develop ongoing schedules for all types of facilities maintenance, including cleaning, mechanical maintenance, filter changes, light bulb upgrades, and other regular tasks.

Types of Facility Management Maintenance Scheduling

Most facility maintenance tasks are performed on an infrequent basis. HVAC maintenance, for example, is a twice-yearly task for buildings with both heating and cooling systems. facilities maintenance scheduling is typically either proactive or reactive and falls into one of these categories:

Corrective maintenance addresses current problems with facility systems and equipment. This is done on an as-needed basis when issues are reported to the facilities maintenance team. Repairing a faulty blower in an HVAC system is an example of corrective maintenance.

Preventive maintenance is performed on a regularly scheduled basis. Maintenance teams spend about 19 hours a week on scheduled maintenance tasks. The purpose of preventive maintenance is to improve efficiency and extend the lifespan of building systems. Giving an HVAC system and annual tune-up is an example of preventive maintenance.

Predictive maintenance is the most complex. This type of maintenance relies on a careful evaluation of electrical or mechanical system components to determine what adjustments are needed to ensure peak performance and avoid any corrective or preventative maintenance needs. Performing an oil analysis to determine the optimum time to change a machine’s oil is an example of predictive maintenance.

A well-rounded facilities maintenance program will incorporate all three types of maintenance. Evaluating a property’s needs in all three categories will help maintenance professionals determine what tools and equipment are most appropriate for the job. While basic tools should always be on hand, heavy equipment may be more cost-effective when acquired as rentals on an as-needed basis.

Essential Facilities Maintenance Tasks

Facilities maintenance encompasses many areas, including the following:

repairing and maintaining roofing, maintaining shelving or partitions

cleaning carpets and flooring, removing debris around the exterior of the building, cleaning high corners, dusting light fixtures, and ensuring air registers are clear

painting the interior and exterior of the building, applying protective finishes, epoxy floors

inspecting plumbing systems, repairing leaks, clearing clogs

replacing light bulbs, maintaining cold and warm boxes, maintaining refrigeration equipment

changing HVAC filters, cleaning exterior units, performing annual maintenance

As a facilities maintenance professional, it’s important to thoroughly assess the building and determine all the tasks that will fall within the scope of the job. This might include maintaining refrigeration units in a retail environment or handling temperature and humidity carefully in a greenhouse. The right tools and equipment are essential. You should make sure you’re well-equipped with for basic tasks and know where to turn for a fast rental when you need something more.

Proper facilities maintenance is important for any business. Maintenance management takes up as much as half of a company’s operational budget, so it’s important that this investment goes toward quality services. If you’re looking for a way to improve efficiency and cut costs, evaluating the benefits of a strong facilities management team is a great place to start.

Engineering and Architecture Industry Services

Engineering and architecture play critical roles in the overall construction industry. Without professionals in these industries, construction firms wouldn’t be able to construct safe, reliable, and visually appealing structures. The growth of these sectors also impacts the growth of the construction industry.

The Growth of Engineering and Architecture

Engineering and architecture are rapidly growing sectors in the U.S. market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in these industries should grow by 7 percent by 2026. Much of the projected job growth is in the engineering occupations. This projected growth rate is about average compared to other industries, with approximately 194,300 new jobs that should be added between now and 2026. These jobs are in demand across the nation due to the need for the rebuilding of infrastructure and advancements in robotics, gas and oil extraction, and renewable energy sources.

These sectors are growing globally as well. Infrastructure rebuilding and the progression of major industries are necessary and taking place across the world. According to the Clarity report from Deltek, many of the key financial metrics in the engineering and architecture sectors are remaining stable. However, some important shifts are taking place. Overhead declined slightly for the fifth straight year. Some of the key challenges facing the sectors include succession planning, growth, and activity related to mergers and acquisitions.

Renting Engineering and Architecture Equipment

Since the engineering and architecture sectors are so closely tied to the construction industry, the equipment needs are similar. However, architects focus on the design phase of construction, while engineers focus on the mechanics and functionality of a building, road, or other aspects of infrastructure. Professionals in these sectors need access to the latest equipment to make sure they are exceeding the expectations of their clients and creating appealing, safe, and structurally sound plans.

When an architectural or engineering firm invests in all equipment needed for its staff, the upfront cost can be off-putting, especially for smaller firms. By renting the equipment needed, firms can focus on acquiring clients instead of spending time and money on repairing and maintaining items used by their team members. Equipment rental also provides access to cutting-edge items, rather than having to make do with what the firm has because there isn’t enough capital to replace outdated equipment.

Commonly Used Equipment in the Engineering and Architecture Sector

Engineering and architecture professionals work closely with those in the construction sector. Construction equipment is vital to building safe and functional structures. Some of the necessary equipment in this sector includes:

• Air equipment: This category includes air compressors, which can convert power to potential energy through high pressure.
• Compaction equipment: When preparing the ground to construct a building, it’s necessary to use compaction equipment to create a flat, even surface. Drum rollers provide this necessary step in the building process and are available for rent.
• Construction vehicles: Whether the site is large or small, you’ll need vehicles to get around and take care of certain tasks. One of the most commonly used vehicles is a water truck, which supplies hydration to the site. You can rent water trucks of varying sizes, including 2,000-2,999 gallons and 4,000-4,999 gallons.
• Earthmoving equipment: Moving dirt and preparing the site are also necessary tasks. Common examples of earthmoving equipment include backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, skid loaders, skip loaders, trenchers, and wheel loaders. Some of these pieces of equipment work with different types of attachments, creating an all-in-one unit that can handle a variety of tasks. You could use a skid loader with a bucket attachment to carry heavy loads of dirt, then affix the sweeping attachment to clear the dirt on a site.
• Lifts: Without the proper lifts, it’s impossible to reach higher levels of a structure. The main types of lifts include boom lifts, scissor lifts, aerial lifts and manlifts. Scissor and aerial lifts have replaced scaffolding in many settings due to the safer usage, as well as the flexibility and mobility to use them anywhere. Choosing the right lift ensures safe and proper use.
  • A scissor lift is actually a scaffolding that is mobile, allowing the platform to move vertically.
  • An aerial lift is mounted to a vehicle and can move horizontally and vertically, offering access to areas that are inaccessible with other types of lifts.
  • A boom lift is an aerial work platform with sections that can extend to reach higher points on a structure.

Prior to building, engineers and architects need to draw up plans and designs. The most commonly used designing equipment is segmented into five main categories.

• Drafting tools. Drafting is an important aspect of engineering and architecture. When creating blueprints and drawings for building plans, engineers and architects will use drafting equipment, such as compasses, scales, drafting triangles, protractors, and templates.
• Computer-assisted design software. Without computer-assisted design (CAD) software, engineers and architects would have to draw every aspect of a design by hand. Although this was the case in the past, today’s technology-driven world allows for faster and more efficient production of plans through the use of CAD software.
• 3-D printers. 3-D printers are used to create prototypes of the designs produced by architects and engineers.
• Global positioning system tools. Part of the process of designing and planning out projects is surveying the land and determining how to best accommodate the available space. Global positioning system (GPS) tools provide accurate data about locations, improving the surveying process and offering more accurate results.
• Total station theodolites. When measuring angles in vertical and horizontal planes, engineers and architects use total station theodolites. This equipment is especially important in areas where it’s nearly impossible to get accurate measurements with GPS equipment alone, such as densely forested land or concrete construction zones.

Regardless of which equipment a company needs, opting to rent the necessary items can save a lot of time and money. Budget Equipment partners with engineering and construction firms to provide equipment rental services. Renting the equipment is beneficial for firms of all sizes, no matter what equipment is needed for specific jobs.

The Evolution of Emergency and Disaster Recovery

Disasters can come in several shapes and forms, many of which are unpredictable. Emergency preparedness and disaster management recovery are tasks that communities have dealt with throughout civilization. Over the centuries, disaster response efforts have become more organized, making it easier for emergency responders to plan and have the greatest possible impact.

Local governments were responsible for emergency response, handling planning, and disaster management in the United States until the Congressional Act of 1803. This act empowered the federal government to provide management and assistance following local disasters. The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 and received its first congressional charter in 1900. It has since assisted with planning emergency management operations following disasters both in the United States and around the world.

Disaster Recovery Planning

Emergency management and recovery is handled best when there is a clear disaster recovery plan in place. Individual companies that implement such a plan can ensure resources and business continuity if disaster strikes. Emergency preparedness and recovery plans are important for local governments as well, to handle potential large-scale disasters. Designating a crisis management team will put well-trained emergency managers and resources in place for planning and handling the complexities of organizing recovery efforts.

While it’s important for disaster management recovery teams to know what to do in the case of a disaster, it’s not always necessary or practical for these employees to have the large equipment and resources necessary for a full response and recovery.

In the case of a natural disaster like a flood, hurricane, tornado, or earthquake, there may be a significant amount of debris to clean up. Earthmoving equipment can get this debris out of the way, making room for the eventual reconstruction or repair of buildings that have been affected. Construction dumpsters provide a place for waste disposal. By opting for rentals, emergency services and disaster management recovery personnel can handle tasks in the most cost-effective manner.

Emergency and Disaster Recovery Solutions

The immediate response phase of a disaster usually takes center stage, as this is the period where emergency management personnel engage in lifesaving efforts to give assistance to those impacted by the event. The recovery planning phase is much longer and more complex.  At this point, those impacted by the disaster are assessing the damage and determining the best plan to rebuild. Following a community disaster, communication and coordination must take place between the private sector, volunteer organizations, and government agencies.

Emergency and disaster recovery solutions are highly customized for the incident in question. This might include planning to demolish structures that are beyond repair, clearing debris, and rebuilding. As this is taking place, response and recovery teams must also consider providing assistance for temporary housing, food, water, and clothing for those impacted. Once a community has settled into the recovery phase, a plan and clear organization is in place to restore the community. This phase can be quite lengthy, requiring the use of various resources and pieces of construction equipment, including excavators, bulldozers, skip loaders, and more.

Disaster Recovery Resources

The USDA provides assistance with an extensive disaster resource center with information and emergency management to help business preparedness and individuals for a variety of incidents, including droughts, hurricanes, wildland fires, severe storms, and more. The federal government has compiled this information to help organizations better manage and plan for future disasters by learning from the processes and procedures used in the past.

It’s important to have access to resources like this to guide response teams through planning the disaster recovery process. Even an experienced disaster preparedness and recovery planning team can encounter unexpected situations. A prompt response is always the best solution. This is often facilitated by having the right information, planning, and resources on hand. Preparedness is of the utmost importance when you’re dealing with disaster management recovery. If you know what resources, tools, and equipment you’ll need, you’ll be able to secure rentals and make the necessary purchases more quickly in the aftermath of a disaster.

Maintenance of Emergency and Disaster Recovery Facilities

The equipment that’s used for planning disaster recovery and emergency management efforts should be well-cared for and maintained so that it can perform optimally on the job. Construction equipment that remains in storage until the time of a disaster is unlikely to be in the best state of repair. By relying instead on rental equipment, you can ensure that everything you’re getting has been recently serviced. Budget Equipment handles repairs and preventive maintenance so you only need to worry about the project at hand.

Disaster and emergency preparedness facilities should be kept in good repair as well. It’s best to choose recovery sites that are in regular use for other purposes. A community center or clinic may be of assistance and serve as a disaster recovery facility when the need arises. By keeping it in regular use, you will ensure that the facility is in good repair and prepared to handle an unexpected influx of people should a disaster take place.

Whether you’re in the business of disaster recovery or simply preparing a disaster response team within a larger organization, access to our equipment rentals can prove invaluable in an unexpected circumstance.

Future of Smart Electrical Grids

Our country’s electrical grid is currently operating off an outdated model where energy is sourced primarily from large electrical plants. As the shape of the electrical industry changes, so too will the electrical grid. Most states now have programs in place where utility companies can buy energy back from consumers who generate extra electricity via renewable energy systems like solar panels. Grid modernization is a massive project that will have a huge impact. Once the United States fully upgrades to a smart grid, the benefits of renewable technologies, distributed resources, electric energy storage, and other technologies can be fully realized.

The national and state level electrical grids are expected to be upgraded and retrofitted with enhanced technologies in communication and control. Commercial, residential, and industrial markets will all be impacted by this change. Additionally, companies outside of the normative electrical industry, such as Cisco, will be entering the space to add intelligence to the grid. Many utilities will be upgrading the capacity of their transmission and distribution (T&D) systems and changing out hardware to allow power to flow both ways across the grid. Furthermore, they will be utilizing new products, such as smart metering, to fine-tune the overall load on their distribution grids and smooth demand.

Industrial, commercial, and residential customers can all feel the impact of these changes. Smart metering allows electrical companies to smooth distribution to better meet demand. Updates to the grid have already yielded significant benefits, increasing reliability by 45 percent in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and 65 percent in the Tri-State Electrical Membership Cooperation in Georgia.

The DOE’s Grid Modernization Multi-Year Program Plan (MYPP) is actively supporting projects that create harmonized grid technology standards, minimize disruption, enhance integration, and make the best possible use of renewable energy sources. The smarter grid of the future will make better use of things like sunny days or windy weather to provide affordable, eco-friendly energy throughout the country.

Modern Trends in Electrical Lighting

Evolutions in the lighting industry go beyond energy efficiency. In the near future, you can expect to see innovative installations that let you upgrade your workspace in a variety of ways. LED lights are an ideal choice for incorporation into the internet of things. Networked smart LEDs can provide customized illumination right when you need it. Consider the potential for school lighting that adjusts in accordance with biometric sensors that track the students’ alertness or store lighting that responds to the customer’s location or interests. These innovations are right on the horizon.

Daylight harvesting is another top trend in lighting. This incorporates lighting control systems that respond to the natural daylight to adjust indoor lighting appropriately. Ultimately, this technology will maintain the same level of light in the area at all times yet maximize natural lighting when available, so individuals can enjoy both the mood boost of natural sunlight and the energy savings of a lighter reliance on electricity.

Lighting Upgrade Trends

Enhanced lighting is more than just aesthetically pleasing. Many updates in the world of electrical lighting are now extremely energy-efficient. Updating lighting can help your business cut costs and meet eco-friendly standards. One common swap many businesses are making is to move from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). An incandescent light has a low efficiency level of just 12 to 18 lumens per watt, while a CLF offers 60 to 70. Incandescent lights also have a dramatically shorter lifespan, lasting only 750 to 1,500 hours, while CLFs can last anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 hours.

White LED lights are another choice that’s gained traction recently. These provide 20 to 50 lumens per watt but have an impressive lifespan of up to 100,000 hours. LEDs are also available in various colors, which has made them a popular choice for features like exit signs or decorative elements in a commercial setting.

Upgrading to lighting with a longer lifespan will not only minimize the cost of replacement products but also reduce the amount of time that you have to dedicate to replacing light bulbs. In a warehouse or factory setting, maintaining light fixtures may require renting a lift just to reach the ceiling. Choosing energy-efficient long-lasting replacements will minimize maintenance while trimming your operating expenses.

Lighting Installation and Maintenance Needs

Once you’ve installed your lighting fixtures, most of the work is done. Efficient light bulbs will need extremely infrequent care. Energy-efficient options like CLFs and LEDs last three to 25 times as long as their incandescent counterparts. A 60-watt incandescent bulb will last for about 1,000 hours. Even if the light was only on for 10 hours a day, the bulb would last less than four months.

Upgrade to a 15-watt CFL, and you’ll enjoy a lifespan of 10,000 hours. That light that’s on for 10 hours a day will now last for more than two and a half years. A 12W LED can illuminate your workspace for 25,000 hours, which translates to nearly seven years in the same scenario. When changing the light bulbs becomes a task that you tackle less than once a year, you can safely rely on affordable rental equipment and avoid the expense of purchasing the lifts you need for the job.

Electrical Lighting Installation Equipment

Lift equipment can help installers reach electrical installations that would otherwise be inaccessible. Choosing the right piece of equipment is essential for a smooth and efficient installation process. If you’re accessing lighting that’s directly above a flat open surface, a scissor lift may suit your needs. This type of lift features crisscrossed braces beneath a large platform. A scissor lift can accommodate several workers at once. It lifts individuals directly up from the base.

If you need to reach lighting that’s accessible only from an angle, a boom lift is a better choice. This aerial lift has a long arm attached to a small basket that will typically hold just one person. You can select a telescopic boom lift with a straight arm or an articulating boom lift that has jointed arms for more flexibility in its reach.

Assess your installation needs carefully so you can choose an equipment rental that will help you reach your workspace safely. Whether you choose the more affordable scissor lift or a versatile articulating boom lift, you can get the access you need quickly and efficiently with the right option.

Conclusion

Electrical lighting is an ever-changing area that all businesses need to take into consideration. Whether you’re providing simple and efficient workplace lighting in your warehouse or you’re wooing your retail customers with high-tech lighting in your aisles, you’ll need the right installations and equipment to keep your space looking sharp while operating efficiently.

Types of Contractors in the Industry

Concrete is one of the most commonly used building materials in construction. Contractors large and small need concrete for foundation work as well as for the exterior of large commercial buildings. Concrete contractors are a vital component of the construction industry, providing service for foundations, floors, pavement, and even parking lots.

Masonry contractors provide construction in brick and concrete block laying, stonework, and stone walls. Masonry projects can be quite extensive, especially for retaining walls along highways, as masonry walls for bridges, and for large block commercial buildings. Masonry contractors can build new structures, do masonry repair, and masonry restoration.

Demolition contractors tear down existing buildings and man-made structures that need to be removed from a site for a variety of reasons. Demolition contractors are skilled at selective interior demolition projects as well as the demolition of bridges, roadways, and can include environmental remediation. Demolition contractors are highly skilled in the use of heavy equipment, often in dangerous situations and on uneven terrain.

Concrete, Masonry, and Demolition Trends and Growth

As the housing market recovers, the need for concrete and masonry contractors is growing. As new home buyers and demographics change, the need and desire for new homes and remodeled homes are increasing. Home builders are seeing a shift to urban living, and the need for large commercial buildings is also rising, including retail space and parking structures.

With the housing market seeing growth in 2018, the need for solid concrete and masonry work appears to be expanding. New housing construction is growing as new generations of home buyers are entering the market. As tastes for smaller, more efficient, and economical homes are sought out, demolition of unwanted larger homes and properties is increasing, driving up the market for the demolition and wrecking industry.

According to IBISWorld, The Nation’s Largest Provider of Industry Research, as government funding becomes available for highway and bridge construction, the markets for the concrete, masonry, and demolition should show more growth. In addition, construction growth for new retail and commercial space is expected. The demolition industry, meanwhile, is expected to grow at an approximate rate of 3.3 percent up until 2022. This is good news for an industry whose past growth was only 2.1 percent for a 10-year period.

Masonry is a specialty industry, mostly focused on brick and block laying. This unique industry with ties closely linked to the construction industry is seeing growth as the housing market recovers and continues to grow. Over the years until 2023, masonry’s industry valued added (IVA) should contribute to the overall economy with an estimated annual rise of approximately 3.6 percent, according to IBISWorld.

Concrete is one of the essential components of the construction industry, as concrete is used in foundations and in the exterior of large commercial buildings. According to IBISWorld, the industry value added (IVA) of the concrete industry is seeing a nice growth with an estimate of 5.2 percent annually up to 2022.

Commonly Used Equipment in the Concrete, Masonry, and Demolition Sector

Each construction or job site has unique needs for equipment usage. Masonry construction materials, especially concrete and masonry supplies, tend to be quite heavy, and stable machinery is very important in transporting these supplies safely to the work site and to the workers.

• Telescoping boom lifts: Boom lifts are used primarily to transport brick, mortar, tools, and workers up and over to the site where they are working. The first kind of boom lift is known as a telescoping boom lift, or a straight boom lift. These boom lifts have an extendable arm that features a single hinge designed to reach over long distances or stretches. They are good for use over open spaces where there are not workers or structures below that could be hurt or damaged.
• Articulating boom lifts: The second type of boom lift is called an articulating boom lift or a knuckle boom lift. These have segmented arms that are quite maneuverable and are designed to transport material over and around tight places or around obstacles. Both types of boom lifts are much more stable and secure than standard scaffolding and are more convenient, as they can easily be moved around the job site.
• Scissor lifts: Masonry and concrete workers need scissor lifts in wide open floor spaces. Scissor lifts provide a movable aerial platform that is very stable and secure in transporting materials and workers where the job is located high above. They come in a variety of sizes and widths, depending on the confines of your workspace. As they are run on electricity instead of a motor, they do not expel fumes and are ideal for working on indoor jobs.
• Telehandlers: Also known as telescopic handlers, telehandlers are a vital piece of equipment for a construction site. The articulating boom of the telehandler sits on a powered truck base, and the arm can be extended in multiple directions to transport recycled materials, such as bricks, to masons. They are more versatile than a standard forklift, as the truck is very secure and stable, and the extending boom arm can move in several directions and degrees of angle.
• Concrete mixers: Commonly used for uniform mixing of concrete, concrete mixers are typically run by electricity. The operator puts in the proper ingredients, adds the right amount of water, and the concrete mixer turns, blending the ingredients into the desired consistency.
• Concrete crushers: These machines are normally used for demolition purposes. Concrete can be broken or ground into smaller pieces that can be more easily transported from the job site or can then be used as recycled aggregates material.
• Pavement breakers: These machines are used in the demolition of pavement, especially driveways and parking lots. They are hand-held pneumatic tools that use a tool bit to break up old pavement. They come in different weight classes, depending on the type and size of your job.

Many concrete, masonry, and demolition contractors are opting to rent these pieces of equipment for their jobs. Renting eliminates the need for storing and maintaining these specialized pieces of heavy equipment.

The professional and highly trained staff at Budget Equipment can help you decide on the best piece of heavy equipment to rent for your job. We will show you safety and operating protocols, as well as procedures so that your job is handled safely and with ease. Please browse our website to view the various types of equipment available for your concrete, masonry, and demolition jobs.