Real Estate & Construction Accounting Blog

This issue of Construction Connections includes the following articles:

• 2010 Construction Outlook
• Ten Steps to Safety
• Lost Productivity Damages
• Surety Market Update

The construction market ended 2009 in as bad a shape as it has been in for almost two decades, with non-residential construction plummeting and housing construction at record post-World War II lows. For the overall economy, however, the year ended with a host of indications that recession was morphing into...

Our 2009 Real Estate and Construction Survey results support the belief that there is a lack of work and that the work that is available is bid extremely competitively. 81% of respondents chose "lack of work" as the biggest threat to their business over the next 12 months and 78% of jobs are seeing five or more bidders. 29% are even seeing 10 or more bidders.

For more survey results, click here to read, "Looking at the Future" from the January 2010 issue of Builders Exchange Magazine or contact...

Our Real Estate and Construction Group has released the results of its second annual survey of the Real Estate and Construction markets in Northeast Ohio.

The surveys cover a variety of topics, including political insight, financial issues, the local economy and industry trends. The survey was developed and analyzed by the Real Estate and Construction Group at Skoda Minotti with assistance from the real estate and construction experts at Ranallo & Aveni, LLC and Lake National Bank.

The survey...

Although private construction investments declined 20.6% between September 2008 and September 2009 and other statistics confirm the trouble the construction industry has been facing, there are bright spots, according to the newest Census Bureau figures.  The manufacturing and power construction sectors saw increased investments and publicly-funded investments in construction did increase. Click here to see more construction industry spending statistics.

Regardless of the challenges contractors...

If you have purchased, constructed or invested in real estate in the last few years, you may have heard the term “Cost Segregation Study.” Although the overall concept of a cost segregation study has existed for awhile, it is still not widely utilized, nor is it completely understood how it can enhance cash flow and bet the cornerstone of a property owner’s overall tax plan.

To learn how you can take advantage of a cost segregation study, click here to read our article from the latest issue of...

The CPAs, business and financial advisors in Skoda Minotti's Real Estate and Construction Group recently authored an article for Builders Exchange Magazine.

The article summarizes some important accounting and tax provisions that construction professionals need to keep in mind. The article highlights the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, qualified rehabilitation and low income housing tax credits.

To view this helpful article, click here.

Looking for a...

As the demand for new construction continues to dry up, contractors can continue to expect more competition for commercial and industrial construction projects. The reason for this increased competition is that many projects are in holding patterns as tightening credit markets have left the private sector scrambling to find capital. This leaves only those who can self fund projects (i.e. institutions, higher education, hospitals and public projects) seeking bids on new construction.

Unfortunately...

We’re pleased to announce the availability of our Northeast Ohio Real Estate and Construction Survey. The survey covers more than 40 questions regarding the real estate and construction industries. In addition, the survey offers more in-depth coverage of timely topics in the real estate and construction industries such as green construction, cost segregation and the Economic Stimulus Act.

For a sample of the survey results, please read Survey of Northeast Ohio’s Real Estate and...