DISCA News | Aug 2024 - DISCA Cares, Industry News and MORE!

Newsletter I August 2024

The DISCA CARES Program provides financial support to Contractor members of our association in times of financial crisis. DISCA CARES (Caring Action Relief (in) Emergency Situations) is a financial assistance program to help the employees and families of the DISCA member companies who have experienced a major illness, accident or hardship beyond their insurance and financial capabilities.

A Contractors' Guide to Tax Credits & Energy Incentives

Contractors equipped to help clean energy project owners seize opportunities presented by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will be in high demand.

Clean energy projects are ramping up as organizations prioritize energy-efficient buildings to meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals and take advantage of tax benefits provided under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the largest energy incentive in U.S. history. What some might not realize, however, is that clean energy projects that comply with prevailing wage and apprenticeship (PW&A) requirements under the IRA are eligible for a five-times (5x) enhanced credit.

New Construction Technology Releases: August 2024

From a smaller drywall robot to tech that helps builders comply with tougher green construction standards, this month’s fresh offerings promise to streamline jobsites and the back office.

At the height of summer, builders get busy on jobsites to get the most out of long days while they can. But working longer isn’t the only way to get a leg up on projects while the sun shines. Technology can help contractors work smarter, too.

Litigation or Arbitration? Highlighting Key Differences in Dispute Resolution Methods

Despite the best efforts of all involved, disputes may arise on a construction project. While the result of the dispute may be uncertain, with a dose of foresight, the process to achieve that result can be tailored to best suit the needs of the parties and the project. When a dispute cannot be resolved informally, the parties will need to obtain a binding decision – how this is accomplished will be determined by the contract documents.

Both AIA A101TM-2017 and the B101TM-2017 empower the parties to decide how a dispute will be resolved in a binding fashion. If the dispute could not be resolved by mutual agreement, the parties should select whether they wish to proceed to arbitration, litigation, or another option of their own choosing. While arbitration and litigation may appear similar at first, each has different benefits and potential drawbacks. Therefore, it is a decision that should be made in an informed manner. This article will provide a summary of the key differences between arbitration and litigation.

Optimism Among Mid-2024 Construction Industry Trends: Report

Among the mid-year trends identified in the 2024 Marcum National Construction Survey is contractors diversifying their project portfolios to deal with inflation and other economic pressures.

"Some broad trends are evident in this year’s survey of construction industry leaders," the report stated. "Some are all too familiar, such as the ongoing struggle to find and retain skilled labor. Others show new approaches or opinions in the industry, like a significant portion of respondents seeking to broaden their scope of work to diversify their offerings."

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