What is Fair in Payment?
Siteline does an interesting study of the fastest paying GCs among its customers’ clients. Although this is not an adequate study of payment in our area, it does point to the fact often made that subcontractors get paid slower in the DMV than in other areas of the country. There are a few GCs working in our area that made the list, but only for paying in about 50 days. Is that acceptable? We do not think so and continue to seek a way to get subcontractors out of the business of financing construction.
Backlog
ABC reported on May 13th that backlog and profit margin expectations improved in April, but a closer examination of the data revealed that our region (middle states) actually went down from April 22 to May 6 from 7.4 to 7.2 and is much lower than the Northeast (8.7) and the South (10.3). It would be interesting to see how the backlog and profit margins are doing among the subs and generals in our area, but it is difficult to get people to report. Reply here to let me know what you think.
Data Centers
No slowdown seen in our area for Data Center construction. This article from Construction Dive says that the TA Realty LLC Data Center campus in Dulles will include five data centers valued at $384 million each. That makes it the largest project going. Looking at the overall economy for the month of April, commercial planning grew 3.3% and institutional planning fell 4.2% nationwide.
Anirban Basu made an astute observation about Office construction vs Data Centers – On 5/20/25 he wrote: “Notably, and somewhat ironically, the reduction in general office investment has been more than offset by the increase in construction of data centers, which power the AI models that could replace traditional office workers. Because data centers are included under “Office” in construction spending data, that broader category remains near an all-time high.”
Why do People Work for You?
I get concerned about our industry’s future when I look at WBJ’s list of the Best Places to Work article. James G Davis and Coakley & Williams were the only ASAMW member/partner on the list. There were a few other GCs but no subs that I noticed. I am not sure how WBJ determines the winners, but it still makes me question why more construction companies do not tout their businesses as a great place to work.
Annual Meeting Results
ASAMW held its annual meeting on May 29th in Tysons, resulting in:
- Election of the following
- President: Martin Press, Press Mechanical
- Vice President: Evan Winston, Hercules Fence
- Secretary/Treasurer – Adrienne Smoot, Regeneracy, Inc.
- Past President is Kimberlee Driggs, D2 Sitework
- New Board Members:
- Rachael Daugherty, Scaffold Resource
- Heidi Wood, Chutes International
- Recognition of the 2025 Project Managers Workshop Graduates
- Recognition of the following membership milestones:
- 50 Years – Ennis Electric
- 15 Years
- Balfour Beatty
- HITT Contracting
- The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
- Henley Construction
- Grunley Construction
- Forrester Construction
- 10 Years
- CEA Insulation
- Chiaramonte Construction
- Chutes International
- Cindell Construction
- Dimensional Marble & Tile
- Hercules Fence
- Perlectric
- 5 Years
- American Iron Works
- Atlantic Hardware
- AvalonBay Communities
- Benchmark Utility Services
- Coakley & Williams
- Donohoe Construction
- Gilbane Building Group
Project Labor Agreements
Contractors get flipped all over the place when it comes to bidding work with PLAs. This article from Construction Dive explains how this program that was deemed going away last week is now back due to a judge’s order. Good luck in knowing how to bid this work.
Join ASAMW's Distinguished Annual Sponsors
How is your company perceived within the industry? Strategic annual sponsorship positions your company alongside industry leaders while demonstrating your commitment to professional development and community advancement. When industry professionals visit our homepage, they see a curated group of forward-thinking organizations that understand the value of investing in our profession's future. Sponsors gain year-round visibility on the website, at industry events, and the reputation benefits that come with supporting industry excellence.
Visit our website at www.asamw.org to see who's currently represented among our annual sponsors—and ask yourself: shouldn't your company be there too? Contact Patti today at [email protected] to secure your position among the industry's most respected supporters and elevate your brand's industry presence.
The AI Wave Is Here—And You Need to Be Ready
Let's be honest—most of us in construction didn't sign up to think about artificial intelligence. But it's here, and it's moving faster than anything we've seen before.
Unlike previous technology shifts that took years to reach jobsites, AI launches everywhere, all at once. Studies predict that by 2030, 30% of white-collar jobs will be impacted by AI. That's five years away—the steepest learning curve we've ever faced.
AI isn't coming for the trades—it's coming alongside them. Companies using it for faster quoting, smarter job tracking, instant reporting, and clearer safety logs will dominate the market. Those that ignore it will be left behind.
That's why this Blue-Collar AI session isn't just interesting—it's essential. We're here to prepare you, help you get curious and get moving, so you can ride the AI wave instead of getting swallowed by it. You don't have to be a tech expert, but you do have to start. Join us on June 13th and we'll show you how to take your first real steps—confidently and without the overwhelm. Register today.
Ike is Retiring
This newsletter will continue on a monthly basis after July 1st. Ike’s Thoughts will not go away, but Ike is retiring on July 1st.
SubExcel
Our national organization of ASA is having its annual conference in Oklahoma City this year. Join other members from our Metro Washington Chapter on Sept. 16 – 18, 2025. Click here for more information.
MEMBER NEWS
We welcome Georgina Antakly and team at Pleasant View Property Services as the newest ASAMW member.
ADVOCACY
DC –Council Member Kenyan McDuffie reports that legislation that will protect subcontractors’ payment for work completed has been introduced but does not have a bill number. Budget hearings will take place in June and July, so we do not expect to see action on this bill until the Fall.
MD – ASA of Metro Washington is working with ASA of Baltimore to seek legislation that will protect subcontractors from unfair contract clauses.
VA – no report.
Federal – ASA National is issuing a CALL TO ACTION on immigration reform. If you are interested in learning more, reply to this email and we will send you the complete paper that explains what YOU can do.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 13, 2025 - Blue Collar AI Workshop
Sept. 4, 2025 - Fall Golf Tournament
Sept. 9, 2025 - SAVE THE DATE - ASAMW/CFMA Joint Event
Sept. 16-18, 2025 - SAVE THE DATE - www.subexcel.com
March 7, 2026 - SAVE THE DATE - 62nd Annual Subby Awards Gala
