Local contractors kick off annual Toys for Tots campaign
The Central Wisconsin Home Builders Association along with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve is sponsoring the annual Toys for Tots campaign in the Wisconsin Rapids area.

Helping hand for seniors
The majority of those who have volunteered their services are retired builders and contractors, who are not in need of work, but have a desire to help seniors with around-the-house jobs, said Wideen.

Builders name leader for tough times
The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange has turned to a formidable fundraiser and lobbyist to guide the group through the housing downturn while increasing its membership and working to scale back slow-growth initiatives.

Construction company wins awards
ACI ConstRUCTION Co. received two awards from Associated Builders and Contractors, Central Ohio Chapter, at an awards banquet in Columbus. ACI won the Pyramid Award, Commercial Category, for the LaRiche Toyota Subaru dealership expansion in Findlay. It also won the Pyramid Award, Commercial Category, for the Delaware County Commissioners Senior Service Campus in Delaware, Ohio.

Fine time to build as industry races to slash margins
Commercial builders are cutting their margins in an attempt to shore up business and win market share before construction demand plummets, according to cost research.

House Builder Kimball Hill To Shut Down
The crash of the housing market will mean the end of operations for Kimball Hill Inc., formerly one of the largest builders in the Chicago suburbs.

Skanska USA wins merit award
Skanska USA Building Inc.?s San Antonio office has been honored for its work on the Bell County Jail project by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of South Texas.

AmLand Development fined, loses contracting license
The State Contractors Board recently revoked the license of AmLand Development, a Las Vegas high-rise and home builder. The company has thousands in unpaid bills related to its residential developments, Prima and Vila Di Lago, at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson.

Rockford builders sentenced for breaking and entering crimes
Two Rockford area contractors were sentenced recently for their roles in several breaking and entering burglaries.

Builders Sue Over Subdivision Regulations
A state building group sued Flathead County over subdivision regulations last week, just as commissioners were nearing the final steps of a year-and-a-half long process to revise the rules. The Montana Building and Industry Association filed the lawsuit Monday in Flathead County District Court, describing the county?s subdivision regulations as ?illegal? and ?the most burdensome and costly in ...

Home renovations on sale
If you're struggling to see a silver lining in the beaten-down real estate market, consider this one: It may be a rotten moment to sell your house, but if you've postponed a much needed renovation project on your home - replacing a rotting deck, repairing a leaky roof or updating an antiquated bathroom - now just might be the best time in years to tackle that task.

Builders: Post Falls plan invalid
POST FALLS -- The building group opposing proposed Post Falls impact fee hikes claims the city's capital improvements plan does not comply with Idaho law and is therefore invalid.

States Seek Action on Stimulus
Some officials warn that projects will fail unless they are chosen carefully, implemented rapidly.

Laying a solid foundation
Building or renovating the house can mean a major headache to any house owner. Particularly during such economic turmoil when the statistics of frauds and deceit are likely to rise.

States To Obama: Haste Makes Waste
With President-elect Barack Obama vowing hundreds of billions of dollars for the nation's infrastructure, some state officials warned they will fail to lift the country out of recession unless chosen carefully and implemented rapidly.

Company that built area homes will close
Chicago-based Kimball Homes, a significant home builder in the Sacramento region since 1995, announced Tuesday it will close its business in coming months. The announcement comes eight months after the builder, once among the nation's largest, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Kimball Hill, founded in 1969, represents the newest business failure to rock a Sacramento-area building scene that ...

Developers speak out against proposed Hoke subdivision rules
What happened: Five local home developers spoke out against the county?s proposed revised subdivision ordinance. The developers said the revised ordinance was too restrictive and would increase costs for builders and home buyers.

Bankrupt Kimball Won't Survive Housing Crash


Hungry builders, dropping prices are driving down construction costs
Apparently, it?s a good time to build something.

Business briefs
Associated Builders and Contractors, Prime Outlets, Menno Haven, Jack Gaughen Realtor ERA, Montessori Academy