BUILDING BEST PRACTICES

Stay Informed. Stay Ahead.

We’re excited to announce the release of the eighth edition of Building Best Practices (BBP), a bi-annual digital magazine from the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts Communications Committee.

BBP features a curated collection of articles and videos highlighting innovative business practices, contributed by industry experts from AGC MA Committees.

Each edition delivers the latest strategies and approaches to help you navigate the evolving trends and challenges facing construction professionals today.

Building Best Practices - Vol. 8

Evolving with the DEI Landscape: What Contractors Need to Know

By: Ken Rubinstein & Harper Weissburg

Preti Flaherty

Federal enforcement priorities are shifting—and construction companies, especially those working on public or institutional projects, are feeling the pressure. Whether you’re reviewing your hiring practices or responding to an owner’s request for diverse subcontractors, the rules around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are changing quickly.



This guidance offers practical takeaways for contractors navigating today’s evolving legal and political environment.

Read full article here.

Spring 2025 Government Affairs Bulletin

AGC MA is your advocate on Beacon Hill. Last session we were the voice of the industry on legislation and regulations

Highlights include:

• Tracking over 150 bills
• Building consensus on key issues like Project Labor Agreements, MBTA Communities Act, Responsible Contractor Language, and Wage Theft
• Testifying on 11 bills including the expansion of PLAs, expediting payment of change orders in public construction, facilitating diverse participation in the industry, wage theft, and more
• The Governor appointing AGC MA to the Public Construction Projects Advisory Council where we invited 10 AGC members to speak to their concerns about meeting diversity goals on public projects
• Monitoring regulations and judicial decisions concerning extreme heat standards, Boston Safety Ordinance, prompt pay, responsible contractor policies, and BRJP
• Hosting fundraisers with legislators and policymakers including Governor Healey, Lt. Governor Driscoll, Attorney General Campbell, and lawmakers
• Raising political donations over $50,000 for candidates with $3,500 directly from AGC MA PAC

Read full Government Affairs Bulletin here.

Build To Rent Projects Answer Housing Shortage, But Factor in the Risks

By Michele L. Norton, AAI, CRIS

Hub International

There’s a national shortage in housing availability in the U.S. as soaring prices during a time of inflation and limited inventory keep the squeeze on renters and buyers alike.



It’s particularly significant for single family homes. The cost/supply disparity has made Greater Boston one of the nation’s most expensive metropolitan areas, as the median single-family home price has soared to nearly $900,000.

Read full article here.

White Paper: Enhancing Equity and Safety in Construction Workplaces

Using two years of data from the SAFE-T Survey, we have a clearer picture of the following:

• Over 90% of tradespeople clearly understand management’s commitment to safety from the office to field leadership
• Less than 40% of tradespeople are getting daily instructions with a clear focus on safety
• 1/3 of workers are taking risks to do their jobs
• About 75% of workers almost always feel a sense of belonging and usually get satisfaction from their work can see that tradespeople clearly understand the prioritization of safety by management. However, the safety experience onsite still has much room for improvement.



Read full article here.

Submit an article for the next Building Best Practices

If you or your company has a construction or business practice (e.g. safety, mentorship, project management, scheduling, technology, workforce development/training) that you are interested in highlighting and sharing with the AGC MA membership, please contact Tom Dunn (rtdunn@PierceAtwood.com) or Henry Kruger (kruger@agcmass.org) with your article idea and they work with you to develop your article. These articles should be about 1,000 – 1,500 words and be construction industry practice focused.   

Building Best Practices is brought to you by the AGC Communications Advisory Committee:

The AGC CAC is an advisory committee focused on delivering relevant industry content through various publications like the Future Builders: Careers in Commercial Construction Insight & News publication for educators, parents and students in MA.

Tom Dunn (Editor in Chief) - Attorney, Pierce Atwood, LLP

Nicole Harrison - Content Director, Erland Construction

Elena Lelchuck - Customer Marketing Manager - Autodesk

Catie McMenamin - Construction Marketer, C.E. Floyd

Shelley Peckham - SP Strategic Marketing & Communications Consultant

Nicole Pollard - Internal Affairs Manager, Janey, Co.

Tim West - Director of Marketing, Gaston Electrical

Maura Driscoll - Senior Manager - Public Relations and Communications, Consigli Construction Co., Inc.