2021 Year in Review: Micheal McDonagh, CEO, Associated Subcontractors of Mass.

What was the biggest lesson you learned while working during the pandemic? One of the biggest lessons learned from 2021 was the resilience of the construction industry. First it was the temporary work shutdowns but then the industry evolved and adopted new safety protocols to keep employees and clients safe while work continued. Look around the state today and you can see that construction is a true economic driver employing thousands of tradesmen and women. All this should not come as a surprise but is great to see on a daily basis.

How has your working environment changed over the last year? For those of us not in the field on a daily basis, the last year has proven one thing - a laptop and cell phone (with chargers) are the most important and only indispensable work tools. Many of us have exchanged two hours or more of commute time for more productivity in the day-to-day job. The challenge remains in finding that right balance of office time and remote work. Most would agree, in the construction industry, 100% remote does not fit.

What are your predictions for your industry in 2022? Challenges remain for the construction industry, but one continues to stick out as we move into 2022- material price increases and availability. This is an issue that keeps many subcontractors up at night. Subcontractors think about what happens when you sign a contract today and those supplies double in price six months from now? What if you cannot perform because delivery is delayed by nine months? Should we bid this job before knowing materials will be in hand on time? These are some of the questions that subcontractors wrestle with. Data points toward some relief in 2022 and that would be most welcome but, for now the industry must continue to cooperate and communicate on this issue.