MKR Blog
As we move through 2025, construction businesses are navigating a mix of challenges and fresh opportunities. A steady economic rebound, higher levels of government investment, and rising demand for infrastructure, housing, and commercial development are driving growth...
Understanding how economic trends influence construction can provide valuable insights for businesses and professionals in the field. For instance, high interest rates and slower economic growth will put increasing pressure on construction and manufacturing this year....
Learn vital steps to protect construction workers and businesses from OSHA violations and fines. Stay informed about changing regulations, prioritize worker training, and utilize OSHA consultation services to maintain a safe jobsite.
Construction firms are catching on to the value that drones – or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – add to construction projects. In this article, we’ll explore some of the benefits of construction firms using drone technology. Enhanced Accuracy Drones have the...
The construction industry isn’t known for its willingness to embrace change, so it’s no surprise that, generally, the industry’s been slow to accept technology. Enter the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent economic turmoil and labor and material shortages, and many...
The construction industry has seen its fair share of challenges throughout the past two years as the pandemic surged, and the jury’s still out on 2022. The good news is that following technology trends can help withstand challenges and leverage ongoing opportunities...
Last year 35% of contractors reported turning down work due to skilled labor shortages. Couple this with a lack of resources due to supply chain issues and an industry that doesn’t seem to be slowing down, despite a short stall at the beginning of the pandemic, and...
While Congress appropriated a total of $669 billion in loans to small businesses under the Payment Protection Program (PPP) as part of the larger CARES Act, funding was reportedly exhausted by May 5th of this year. However, there are a number of additional programs and tax provisions, discussed below, that business owners should be aware of to use in place of or jointly with PPP loans.
Last year construction contractors saw projects suspended indefinitely (or scrapped altogether) and escalated competition in the bidding process, both of which effectively stifled profit margins. It’s safe to say that the construction industry was not spared the...
As the values of homes around the country continue to rise, as well as the cost of rent, home ownership looks more and more appealing. In the past, homeowners have been able to deduct certain expenses on their tax returns. Yet, with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017...
The Trump administration enacted new tariffs on lumber and kitchen cabinets, adding pressure to construction budgets. The tariffs apply a 10% duty on softwood lumber and a 25% levy on imported kitchen cabinets. By 2026, the cabinet tariff is set to double to 50%. As a...
More Americans are turning to a 401(k) hardship withdrawal to cover urgent and unexpected expenses. By the end of 2024, about 5% of employees had taken a hardship withdrawal from their 401(k) accounts. That’s more than double the 2% who did so in 2018. With inflation,...
When the federal government shuts down, businesses across the nation feel the effects, especially for those that rely on federal programs, work directly with federal agencies, or operate near government properties. This article explains how government shutdowns affect...
When the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, it’s good news for borrowers and consumers, but not so much for savers. The Fed’s recent quarter-point rate cut is a reminder that the annual percentage yields (APYs) on savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs)...
A recent deal between the Trump administration and Pfizer is signaling hope to the pharmaceutical industry. Under Trump's Pfizer deal, Pfizer gets an exemption from pharmaceutical-specific tariffs if the company invests in domestic manufacturing. This key deal is...
President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) introduced several tax changes designed to boost take-home pay and simplify the tax code. Some major adjustments include nontaxable income, gift limits, estate tax exemption, and overtime deductions. Here’s a look at...
Economies always run in cycles, which means that, at some point, inevitably, there will be a downturn. And the best time to prepare for an economic downturn is before things start to take a tumble. In this article, we’ll go over strategies you can use to keep your...
What happens when it’s time to step back from running your professional services firm? Is there a clear path for the future of your business? In this article, we’ll go over how to create a solid succession plan, whether you’re looking to sell, merge, or pass the firm...
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) signed by President Trump includes a federal cap on the state and local tax (SALT). Until 2024, SALT was capped at $10,000 under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), but the OBBB increased it to $40,000. The cap will rise by 1% each...
Small businesses are finally seeing signs of life after a rocky few years. Since January, average earnings have climbed by 75%. That’s an encouraging statistic, yet monthly revenues still lag behind the record highs of the past two years. This signals that progress is...