November 2009 Utility Contractor - Table of Contents |
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COVER STORY - Where’s the Pressure?- The Look Ahead In Utility Construction
American infrastructure, particularly utility infrastructure, faces a host of factors that impact design and construction activity. One of the most important is governmental oversight, regulation and funding influences. As pressure mounts to resolve the economic and financial turmoil, many eyes look to Washington and state capitals for solutions. In FMI’s 2010 overview of the utility construction market, the focus is on understanding the impact and influence governmental agencies are having on utility construction. more >>
By Mark Bridgers and Dan Tracey |
Feature Story - Utility Line Locating 101 - Understand How Utility Locators Work and How They Can Benefit Your Company
Locating underground utilities is becoming more challenging as the vast array of lines in the ground continues to increase. As the ground under our feet becomes more congested with utility lines, it’s vital to identify the location of specific utilities — gas, fiber, water, telecommunications and sewer — to ensure the safety of your crew and protect your bottom line. more >>
By Greg Ehm |
Feature Story - Uncharted Jobsites - Mapping Potential Jobs Before You Bid to Save Time and Money
Any seasoned contractor knows the perils of bidding on a project. There are two possible project burns that threaten a contractor. 1) The bid is accepted and the contractor starts work on the jobsite only to realize that there’s more material to move than the contract originally specified. And so the painful renegotiation process begins, often times unsuccessfully. 2) Or, there’s not enough material and the contractor is looking at an expensive material import situation. Guess whose pocket that comes out of? more >>
By Jason Morgan |
Feature Story - Suck It Up - Putting Vacuum Excavators to Work on Utility Jobsites
When someone says “excavation,” the first machine that comes to mind might be an excavator or backhoe loader. Or maybe hand digging around sensitive utilities. But there’s more than one way to dig a hole. Vacuum excavation is a minimally invasive excavation method that offers advantages for contractors who dig around buried utilities. more >>
By Jason Morgan |
Feature Story - The Real Value of Your Business - Now Is the Time to Build Your Business Empire
The current economic climate has created the perfect storm for business acquisitions. Some owners, intent on riding out the recession, have accumulated overwhelming debt that is literally sucking any positive cash-flow out of the business. Other owners have lost their zeal to compete in this marketplace. Now is the very best time for businesses with idle cash resources to make their move. more >>
By Brad Dawson |
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