ALFA International Publications

THE HISTORY OF MODULAR CONSTRUCTION What is Modular Construction? Modular construction is a system of building a structure that assembles sections or modules of that structure off-site in a manufacturing plant, and then transports and assembles the sections or modules on site. The modules are often compared to building blocks or legos that “click” together on site to form a cohesive and complete s…

The Current State of Infrastructure In Light of the IIJA  The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”) is a new law that provides much-needed investments aimed at improving America’s transportation infrastructure systems. The IIJA includes the largest increase in federal highway and public transportation investment in more than 50 years.[1] The IIJA, which was signed into law on Novem…

Wrap Insurance What is it? A wrap-up policy is a risk financing option.  It makes sense only on larger projects because of the increased cost of administration.  Also known as a Controlled Insurance Program (“CIP”), it is centrally purchased and administered for a single project or a series of projects.  CIPs provide insurance coverage for all or most of the project participants—own…

Since the Federal Aviation Administration has approved drones for commercial use, they have become the way of the future.  Industries such as agriculture, construction, energy, insurance, and real estate, are just a few using drones as the way of the future. Even package delivery by drone will soon be a common part of our everyday lives. Within the construction industry, drones and the rea…

How the COVID-19 Pandemic Changed the Way We Litigate and Mediate In early 2020 the Global COVID-19 pandemic spread across the world. To “flatten the curve,” social distancing measures were adopted in many countries, states, and cities, with those able to work from home using virtual meeting spaces to conduct business meetings and conferences. Facing executive orders and rules limiting in-person g…

WORK RELATED INCIDENTS LEADING TO INJURIES AND FATALITIES OCCUR IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Although recent data supports that they are decreasing in frequency across all sectors, work related incidents resulting in employee injuries and fatalities are unavoidable in the construction industry. Even though the industry, as a whole, has done, and continues to do, a much better job focusing on worke…

Force Majeure and Disputes Pre- and Post-COVID This paper provides various practical and legal arguments, as well as practice tips, which may prove useful to construction professionals who continue to deal with the fall-out or even future disputes. [1] Since the COVID-19 pandemic swept the country starting in March 2020, construction professionals have no doubt become familiar with force majeure.…

Multi-party and complex construction claims can be difficult to navigate, particularly through the early stages of litigation. This coursebook submission focuses on past experiences and best practices on how to properly wade through the challenges of complex claims, implementing procedural and substantive strategies that may mitigate issues, and streamlining the "life" of the litigation. As detail…

Feel the Force: The Era of Smart Construction Has Arrived Smart construction — defined loosely as the development and use of technology in the construction industry — carries a host of benefits. Because building projects are necessarily long-running, complex, and fraught with unanticipated delays,[i] technology has a unique role to play in the construction industry. In the past, the industry has b…

“The construction industry desperately needs qualified, skilled craft professionals to build America.”[1] - Michael Bellaman, ABC President and CEO. While we (hopefully) leave the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, the labor market for construction continues to follow trends from before the pandemic. As with many industries, construction  continues to face problems associated with the supply chain. As …