According to Business First, some communities in Western New York have almost 33% dependency on government jobs. Overall, it’s one in six. Are we okay with this? Read the article here.  You can also see the specific numbers for each municipality.

Check out the thread on the youtube channel. Great discussion, I think. Zachary: How much do these fast bricklayers cost per hour? $18? $20? $22? So let’s say this machine costs $1,000,000 for a 30 year life cycle. This would be paid back in less than 27 years, assuming you’re only getting equal work per year, […]

Marijuana. For it or against it—it’s here, and in New York it’s mostly legal. Should we rethink our company policies? Personally I say absolutely. This article raises some things worth considering. You smell that? That’s the smell of the U.S. going green – and we aren’t talking about environmental sustainability. Marijuana use in America has […]

Many people are unaware that as an intermediary, we place a significant number of Management and Admin folks in jobs with construction companies in Western New York. Summertime we keep pretty busy interviewing and referring tradespeople, but right about the time the lake effect starts, our inbox fills with resumes from project managers, estimators, superintendents, […]

Please do not apply if you oversleep, have court often, do not have a babysitter every day, have to get rides to work later than our work day begins, experience flat tires every week, have to hold on to a cell phone all day, or will become an expert at your job with no need […]

Upcoming OSHA classes available from our partners Our 10-hour OSHA program will be from January 10-11, 8:00-2:00 pm. Our 30-hour OSHA program will be from January 23-27, 8:00-3:00 pm. Please call for more details.

Question: I am making $15 per hour on the books working for XYZ Contracting. My boss proposed that he pay me as an independent contractor (sub-contractor, 1099 contractor) and he would give me a raise to $17. Should I accept his offer?  ~Ed Answer: Absolutely not! First let me explain why he wants to do […]

The absolute very first tool that every tradesman needs is a great tape measure.  If you only show up with one tool—let it be a high quality tape. Don’t waste your money with a tape that is less than 25′. If you are a carpenter, especially an exterior carpenter, get a 30′. Occasionally I see […]

If you’re an electrician you should have a dedicated Phillips screwdriver and probably a flat head, in addition to a 14 in 1 (or 11 in 1). ..For the rest of us the multi-unit will suit nearly every possible need.  

Despite stumbling over the simplest words, Thomas — a fourth-grader — is a bright kid. In fact, that’s an often-misunderstood part of dyslexia

Most people feel like they struggle with interviews. My feeling is that if you spend just a few minutes getting your head in the right place, you’ll probably do better than you will give yourself credit for. Definition of failing I think that the first part of interviewing well is to change our definition of […]

One of our partners is offering training to anyone who is registered with Sqrft and in good standing*. OSHA 10 & Confined Space 10 hour OSHA course on December 7th-8th from 8:00 am-2:00 pm 30 hour OSHA course from January 23rd-27th from 8:00 am-3:00 pm Confined Space Refresher on December 9th, from 8:00 am-2:00 pm […]

I recently attended a breakfast seminar titled Leading Across Generations. It was hosted by Business First and presented by Andrew Terranova of Dale Carnegie. Andy opened by discussing a problem that so many organizations face in that many of their employees are disengaged. The percentages from a variety of studies that were sited ranged from 26% to 63%. […]

Almost everyone in Buffalo that I know in the construction world is working. If for some crazy reason you (or someone you know) is not, please have them call me. There is work for sure! I know of all sorts of openings for skilled and unskilled labor.  There are a few for management.  I will […]