by John Crowley | Aug 28, 2025 | Uncategorized
Making AI Work: Tips & Tricks for Contractors From drafting proposals to managing complex Excel spreadsheets, AI can transform how contractors work, if they know how to use it effectively. For most modern AI users, this means understanding how to “talk” to AI, otherwise known as “prompting.” This guide will explain and demystify AI prompting and provide practical examples to help contractors harness these powerful tools while addressing common security concerns.Understanding Prompting: The Key to AI SuccessAt its core, prompting is simply the art of communicating with AI tools. Think of it as giving clear directions to a highly capable assistant who needs specific instructions to deliver the best results. Just as you wouldn’t tell a subcontractor to “build something nice,” you can’t expect AI to read your mind. The quality of your output directly leads to the quality of your input.In the beginning, when ChatGPT was introduced, most users were excited to just get plain English responses; this was a very new experience. As we’ve grown more comfortable with these tools, we want them to perform better and to actually be useful. And that’s where more careful prompting comes in. As you’ll see, many of the drawbacks that AI has can be handled, or at least minimized, by good prompts.For contractors, mastering this skill means the difference between generic responses and tailored solutions that actually save time and money. The good news is you don’t need a computer science degree to write good prompts, just a little understanding and some practice.Background: What Happens When You Enter a PromptModern AI is based on Large Language Models (LLMs), and these work by accepting everything you’ve entered, and based not just on what you’ve entered, but also where various items are in the paragraphs, and how you’ve marked things, creating a probability for what is the best response. This means AI is sensitive to everything you’ve included, as well as what’s in the beginning, how you end the prompt, whether you’ve been clear on outputs and more. Below we outline these details and suggest best practices. Anatomy of a Good PromptA well-crafted prompt contains several essential elements that work together to produce the results you want. Understanding these components will help you construct prompts that consistently deliver valuable outputs.Start with clear context and role: Provide context about your situation. For example: “I’m a general contractor preparing a bid for a commercial renovation project” gives the AI crucial information about your role and task.Tell it what you want done: Be clear and complete. Instead of “Help me with a proposal,” try “Create an executive summary for a commercial renovation proposal highlighting our 20 years of experience and focus on sustainable building practices.”Provide your desired output format: Specify how you want the information presented. Do you need bullet points, paragraphs, a formal letter or a table? The AI will follow your formatting preferences when clearly stated.Include constraints and requirements: Include limitations or specific requirements. For instance: “Keep it under 500 words” or “Use terminology appropriate for municipal government clients.”Provide examples if you can: For many requests, giving the AI an example of what you’re looking for can dramatically improve results. This is particularly useful when you have a specific style or format in mind, or if you have a form you want filled out (e.g., RFI).Example 1: Drafting Proposals and DocumentsOne of the most time-consuming tasks for contractors is creating professional proposals and documentation. AI can streamline this process when prompted correctly.Poor Prompt: “Write a proposal for construction work.”Effective Prompt: “I need to write a proposal for renovating a 10,000-square-foot office space. The client is a law firm that values professionalism and minimal disruption to their operations. Create a two-page executive summary that includes:Our company’s 15 years of commercial renovation experience.Commitment to completing work during off-hours.Our bonding capacity and insurance coverage.Timeline showing eight-week completion.Emphasis on our previous work with professional services firms. Please use formal business language appropriate for legal professionals.”This detailed prompt provides context, specific requirements and clear formatting instructions, resulting in a polished, professional document that requires minimal editing. You can reasonably save two to three hours per proposal using this approach, allowing you to bid on more projects without sacrificing quality.Example 2: Figuring Out Software and Technical IssuesConstruction software can be complex, and contractors often struggle with technical challenges. AI can serve as an on-demand tech support specialist when prompted properly.Scenario: You’re trying to create a Gantt chart in project management software but can’t figure out how to link task dependencies.Poor Prompt: “How do I use project software?”Effective Prompt: “I’m using Microsoft Project to schedule a residential construction project. I have all my tasks entered but need to link dependencies so that:Foundation must be complete before framing starts.Electrical rough-in happens after framing but before insulation.Drywall can’t start until electrical inspection passes. Please provide step-by-step instructions for creating these task dependencies, including which menu options to use and any keyboard shortcuts that might help.”This approach transforms AI into a personalized tutorial system, providing specific guidance for your exact situation rather than generic software advice. Many contractors find this more helpful than searching through lengthy user manuals or watching generic YouTube tutorials.Example 3: Customizing Excel for Construction ManagementExcel remains a cornerstone tool for contractors, but many only scratch the surface of its capabilities. AI can help you create custom spreadsheets, formulas and automation that specifically address construction industry needs.Real-World Application: A contractor needs to track material costs across multiple projects with automatic markup calculations and budget alerts.Effective Prompt: “Create an Excel formula system for a construction materials tracker that:Calculates 15% markup on all material costs.Flags any line item over $1,000 in red.Automatically sums materials by category (lumber, electrical, plumbing).Includes a dashboard showing total costs vs. budget for each project.Works with data starting in cell A2 with columns for: Item, Category, Cost, Project Name.Please explain each formula and where to place it.”This targeted approach helps contractors build powerful, customized tools without expensive software or consultants. The AI can provide not just the formulas but also explain how they work, enabling contractors to modify them as needs change.What if I Don’t Have Time to Write Long Prompts?One trick you can use is to write something high level, then tell the AI to ask you questions, one at a time, until it knows enough. This is great for things like agenda writing, where the prompt would be:“Create an agenda for tomorrow’s meeting. Ask me questions, one at a time, about the meeting until you have enough information to complete the task.” If the questioning goes on too long, you can always tell the AI “Please stop asking questions and draft the agenda.”Avoiding HallucinationsOne of the big drawbacks of LLMs is that, when they don’t know the answer, they’ll make something up. Even worse, because they’ve analyzed your request and come up with a high probability answer, incorrect answers often seem plausible. One way to avoid this is by ending your prompt with a clear statement of what to do if the AI doesn’t know the answer. Here’s a good example: “If you don’t know the answer, don’t make it up. It is OK to say you don’t know.”A second way to avoid hallucinations, especially when you’ve asked for something long, is to require that the AI provide a bulleted list of factual statements that are made in their response. Here’s an example:“After you have answered the question, add a bulleted list of all factual statements made or referred to in the answer, with links to the source of that information.”It turns out that by requiring the AI to list the facts it included, it will often correct itself. And you have an easy way to check each item.Data Security: Addressing the Elephant in the RoomOne of the biggest concerns contractors express about AI adoption is data security. The good news? When used properly, mainstream AI tools from reputable providers are generally safe for business use. However, understanding best practices is crucial.Key Security Considerations:Choose Reputable Providers: Stick to well-known AI platforms from established companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Google or Microsoft. These organizations invest heavily in security infrastructure and compliance.Understand Data Handling: Most major AI providers don’t train their models on your individual conversations when using business accounts. However, always review the terms of service and privacy policies.Protect Sensitive Information: Never input client social security numbers, credit card information or highly confidential bid strategies. Treat AI conversations like email, professional but not for ultra-sensitive data.Use Business Accounts: Consider enterprise or business subscriptions that often include additional privacy protections and data handling guarantees.Best Practices for Contractors:Anonymize project data when possible (use “Client A” instead of actual names).Review your company’s AI usage policy or create one if it doesn’t exist.Train your team on appropriate AI use.Keep records of AI-assisted work for accountability.Regularly review and update security practices as technology evolves.The construction industry’s digital transformation is accelerating, and contractors who embrace AI tools gain significant competitive advantages. By mastering the art of prompting, you can transform these powerful tools from mysterious black boxes into practical assistants that save time, improve quality and help you win more business.The examples provided here are just the beginning. As you explore AI tools, you’ll discover countless ways to apply them to your specific needs — from safety planning to cost estimation, from client communication to regulatory compliance. The key is to start somewhere and build your skills through practice.
by John Crowley | Aug 28, 2025 | Uncategorized
A SMART Partnership We are lucky to have partners in SMART who share our core values. We aim to advance our industry, collaborate on projects that meet our customers’ needs and build a workforce of the highest quality. To meet these goals, it helps to have someone on the other side of the table who shares these values — and we have such a person in that position in SMART General President Mike Coleman.Many of you may know that Mike and I go back a while. He was a long-time member of the T.H. Martin team, working his way through the ranks of our company until he became foreman and leader within our company. Mike was what everyone looked for in both a leader and an employee. He is hard-working, always looking out for the folks under him, and is consistently a straight shooter. Mike is committed to bringing the best out of everyone around him. It was these attributes that have made him such a strong labor leader. Mike was tough but fair and never let minor disagreements override our joint vision of how we wanted our relationship to work. When it came to our partnership, we kept it productive by building a climate of trust, ensuring constant communication, and believing both of us had the best intentions. This foundation has led to collaborations on numerous critical matters, including efforts to achieve fair and amicable resolutions in collective bargaining, developing a robust talent development framework, and addressing shared legislative challenges. I can’t tell you how many local labor events, fundraisers and other get-togethers we have attended together during our time in Cleveland. We are both big-picture guys — balancing this critical relationship building while also serving the best interests of our core constituencies. To this end, we have also been partners in business matters. These include efforts to build enhanced market share and highlighting the value of signatory contractors as we work to reclaim market sectors that we may have lost to our non-union competitors. It is this commitment to the industry that made Mike such a phenomenal partner as we both built our careers in the Cleveland area. This focus continues to guide us in our current roles. When Mike became General President, I was excited to see my friend’s hard work and commitment be justly rewarded. However, in addition to that, SMACNA contractors now have someone on the labor side of the table committed to a collaborative approach that achieves results for all. During my service as a national leader, Mike has been more than advertised. As we have interacted throughout my term, Mike has not changed from the individual who worked his tail off inside the walls of T.H. Martin. I won’t kid you, though; Mike will fight for the best interests of his members and make sure that they are treated fairly and equitably. However, he remains a good listener who gathers all the perspectives around him and works toward solutions that benefit everyone. He understands very clearly that everyone prospers from working together. These are all the same traits I witnessed the first time I met my friend Mike Coleman. I am proud not only of our friendship but also of the fact that we can work together to advance our shared interests and promote prosperity for all.
by John Crowley | Aug 28, 2025 | Uncategorized
Progress, Partnerships and Possibility Since then, SMACNA has evolved into an association that is actively growing and changing to advance our renewed mission of serving our members effectively.MarketingThe Marketing & Communications Department, led by Susannah Forde, launched a new, user-focused website. We also introduced National Career in Trades Week, our first national public relations campaign aimed at raising awareness of job opportunities in the trades. The campaign received strong local and national media coverage, including a front-page feature in The Wall Street Journal. Next year, we will expand this initiative through industry partnerships. Our collaboration with SMART continues to advance shared priorities. We have also strengthened our social media and video content to showcase member achievements and thought leadership on key issues.Markets / AI / EducationThe market sector councils and task forces have also been busy under Linda Jennings’ direction. They are creating new programming at every opportunity. Some examples include the work being done by the industrial market sector task force on productivity and safety, the architectural task force’s efforts to leverage trade shows to increase industry awareness, and the residential group’s work to use new media tools to expand market footprint.In a similar vein, the AI Task Force, led by Travis Voss and Hugh Seaton, is working diligently to help our members navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Through their informative webinars and other materials, we hope to answer the questions our members have on this complex topic. We recognize that traditional white papers may not be the most accessible format for our members. To address this, we have converted many of these resources into podcasts and infographics, and we will continue to develop on-demand videos for greater accessibility.Our education programming continues to evolve. SMACNA now offers 40 to 50 web-based courses annually and has expanded chapter education opportunities. Core programs such as PMI and BMU are scheduled more frequently and are available to interested chapters. Erykka Thompson is leading an education task force focused on expanding field leadership, supervisory and project management offerings.Ultimately, the FAB Forum exemplifies our programming. Fabrication remains at the heart of our industry, and it is more important than ever that we keep our members on the cutting edge of the technologies and best practices emerging in this arena. Linda’s team has done a tremendous job in building a program that gives contractors the tools and best practices they need to succeed. TechnicalOur technical standards remain one of the key assets produced by our association. Eli Howard and his team continue to consistently produce tools of maximum value to our members. We have produced several technical videos to increase the exposure and utility of these items. This is just the beginning of our push to make our standards as accessible as possible. We are working to translate select manuals into Spanish, ensuring that all contractors deliver work aligned with our top-of-the-industry guidelines.Government RelationsStan Kolbe and the rest of the Government and Political Affairs Group have been highly effective in advocating for our members and our industry in Washington. The 118th Congress witnessed Stan’s group skillfully lobbying for the enactment of key provisions to advance modernizing airport Infrastructure, Nuclear Power Financing-Permitting Reform and reforms for project labor agreements. As we work through the 119th Congress, we were already successful in enacting the extension of our top tax priority provisions and we will press our lawmakers on key items, including change order reform and the SAFER Banking Act. Labor RelationsLabor relations and local bargaining support have long been core services of SMACNA. Jason Watson has expanded the department’s work and is actively working with Chapters to create stronger relationships with labor. He has also held additional training programs and is building a new trustee training program for 2026.Our association exists to advance the industry and support our members. The team’s ongoing efforts reflect this commitment, and we remain vigilant in addressing emerging needs and trends. Aaron HilgerSMACNA CEO
by John Crowley | Aug 28, 2025 | Uncategorized
Artificial Intelligence: An Introduction Since late 2022, when ChatGPT was introduced, we’ve been hearing more and more about AI, usually with more hype than explanation. In this article, we’ll explain AI from the ground up, so you can be armed with a solid foundation of understanding as more and more products and pitches come your way. What is AI?First things first: what is AI? You’ve probably heard a few explanations, and they often trip over themselves trying to explain this or that model or algorithm. AI isn’t actually one technology. Think of it as a collection of approaches that seek to create machines that can think. We haven’t been able to do that completely, but along the way AI has enabled very useful tools, like recognizing email spam, understanding normal language, automating some tasks and more. AI is still just software though, not magic, not an ‘digital brain.’ A useful definition that’ll help you think about AI is: AI is software that can do unique and useful things because it learns from data. AI represents a fundamental shift in how software systems operate and make decisions. Unlike conventional software that follows predetermined rules, AI systems learn from data, adapt to new situations and improve their performance over time without explicit programming for every scenario.Today’s most advanced AI systems include Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT o3, Claude and Gemini, which can understand context, engage in complex reasoning and even tackle multi-step problem-solving tasks.In a construction context, AI shows up in various forms: everyday chatbots that summarize documents, draft emails and can do research, and proprietary systems like computer vision systems that monitor job sites for safety violations, natural language processing tools that analyze contracts and specifications, predictive analytics that forecast project delays, and autonomous equipment that performs specific tasks with minimal human intervention. Since late 2024, we’ve seen more and more of a move to introduce “agents,” which are AI tools that automate workflows, especially the tedious day-to-day tasks that involve documents.HOW is it different to “normal” software? Traditional software operates on instructions, in the form of code. Developers write clear and complete instructions: if X happens, do Y, and the software does exactly that and only that. Every possible scenario must be anticipated, programmed and tested. This approach works well for predictable tasks but breaks down when dealing with the complexity and variability inherent in the real world. It is impossible to write enough rules to recognize a face, let alone millions of faces, yet AI does this all the time.AI makes software work in three main ways. First, AI systems learn from examples rather than following rigid rules. This is why we often hear so much about ‘data’ in the context of AI. It takes a lot of data for AI to learn anything useful, often hundreds of thousands of labeled, organized data points.Where a traditional software system might need thousands of lines of code to identify safety violations, an AI system can learn to recognize them from examples, generalizing to new scenarios it hasn’t seen before.Second, because of this learning from data vs. instructions, AI is much better at processing unstructured data: the messy, real-world information that makes up most of what we encounter daily. Things like images from job site cameras, handwritten notes, voice commands, architectural drawings and natural language in contracts all represent unstructured data. We call it “unstructured” because it isn’t neatly in rows and columns, like excel data or a database. These examples would be impossible to process at any scale with traditional programming. AI can extract meaning from these natural, messy sources, turning chaos into actionable insights. Third, and perhaps most importantly, AI systems improve over time through continuous learning. As they process more data and receive feedback on their predictions, their accuracy and capabilities expand. This adaptive quality means AI solutions can evolve with changing project conditions, regulations and industry practices without requiring manual reprogramming. A safety monitoring system, for instance, becomes better at identifying hazards as it analyzes more incidents and near-misses across multiple job sites.What is AI good at?We find in industry after industry, AI is good at things that make up for limitations that humans often have. Because AI can quickly recognize patterns, processing documents at lightning speed, modern AI systems can process millions of data points, from historical project records to real-time sensor readings, identifying trends and correlations that would take human analysts months to uncover. More realistically, AI can do things contractors just wouldn’t do because of the investment in time and money. Because it is software, the cost to do these things drops, and suddenly they become possible. In fact, that is the core of what we see AI changing in the near term: allowing contractors to control risk more completely because they can automate more of the tedious, time-consuming work that goes into analyzing, error checking and summarizing documentation that can so often be a huge source of risk. To expand on that, here’s a quick list of some of the things AI excels at: Natural language conversation: At the heart of the current AI wave is the ability for people who are not software developers to work directly with AI. We can ask it questions, get web searches summarized, get images created, and receive a growing list of everyday tasks that are now at our fingertips.Document processing and analysis: AI can analyze contracts, specifications, RFIs and change orders at superhuman speeds, automatically extracting key information, identifying conflicts and flagging potential issues. AI-powered systems can review thousands of pages of project documentation in minutes, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Safety monitoring: Computer vision systems powered by AI can continuously monitor job sites through existing cameras, detecting safety violations in real-time. This includes things like workers not wearing proper PPE, unsafe behaviors like working too close to moving equipment and so on. Predictive safety analysis, where AI analyzes historical safety data from previous accidents, near misses and safety observations, can identify patterns that predict future risks.Quality control: AI-powered image recognition can identify construction defects, measure installations against specifications and track progress with unprecedented accuracy. Drones equipped with AI can survey entire job sites, comparing actual construction against BIM models and identifying deviations before they become expensive problems.Automation of repetitive tasks:. AI can automatically generate quantity takeoffs from drawings, analyze and create optimal construction schedules considering countless variables, match invoices to purchase orders, and even draft routine correspondence. These time savings compound across projects, dramatically improving productivity.In all of the above instances, it is important to point out that no system is perfect, and we too often expect AI to be better than a human would or even be as good as an experience professional would be. In reality, AI systems are still just software, and they are good at automating parts of the work, supporting the professionals, but there are definite limits that users encounter quickly when they trust AI with too much, too fast.What is AI not good at?Despite its impressive capabilities, AI has serious limitations that contractors must understand to use it effectively. The core of these limitations is that AI doesn’t think like humans do, in fact under the hood, AI is nothing like the human mind. The fact that it can produce coherent, intelligent responses sometimes misleads users, but never forget it is software. Here’s a list of some of the limitations to watch out for:Made up information: Sometimes called “hallucinations,” AI will provide answers to questions even when it doesn’t know the answer. It does this with complete confidence, so it can be difficult to spot. This behavior is because AI, specifically LLMs like ChatGPT, are built from the ground up to provide answers. If they don’t know the answer, they’ll make one up that seems right. This can be almost entirely avoided by pointing the AI at real data, like a document or website, and asking better questions, but it is still a problem to be aware of.Understanding of the project: AI does not understand the world, so it will have no idea what certain things imply or what should be included or not. This is another place where AI being fundamentally different to human minds is important. You cannot ask AI a very high level question like, “Show me all the risks in this project manual” and get a good response, it’s just beyond the AI’s capability.Creative problem solving: While AI can generate variations on existing solutions or combine known approaches in new ways, it cannot match human creativity when facing new challenges. When a unique structural problem arises on a job site or when coordinating complex trades requires innovative sequencing, human expertise and creativity are essential.Complexity: AI can handle messiness much better than any other software, but it is nowhere near as capable as even an untrained human. This is why robotics is still limited to situations where the site has been cleared (like layout robots) or otherwise simplified. This is true also concerning what you ask AI to help with — involve too much complexity and you get a response that is not useful.What should contractors know?First and foremost, AI is a powerful tool, but it is not a replacement for human expertise. AI will not replace the fundamental need for a skilled workforce, expertise or lived experience. Successful implementation requires viewing AI as a partner that handles routine analysis and monitoring, while humans focus on complex decision-making, relationship management and creative problem-solving.For many applications, data quality serves as the foundation for AI effectiveness. These systems are only as good as the information they’re given. Start with areas where your documents and data are in good shape, then move from there. Where quality data is a struggle, start where the stakes of failure are lower and are likely to be caught, like marketing and sales, where AI can automate everything from proposal preparation to images and emails. The efficiency gains for these chronically understaffed functions are often significant.Implementation requires strategic planning and patience. Rather than attempting wholesale AI adoption across all operations, successful contractors start with pilot projects in specific areas. Common starting points include marketing, safety monitoring, document analysis or predictive maintenance for equipment. These focused implementations allow teams to learn the technology, demonstrate ROI and build confidence before expanding to other areas. While nearly all companies are investing in AI, only 1% of leaders call their companies “mature” on the deployment spectrum.Like all technology, training and change management will be crucial for AI adoption success. Address fears about job displacement directly and emphasize how AI augments rather than replaces human workers. The change management playbook is pretty well understood:Invest in training programs that build both technical skills and confidence. Create champions within your organization who can demonstrate AI’s benefits and support their colleagues.Align incentives to allow for time to adoptSecurity and privacy demand serious attention in the AI era. AI systems often require access to this data to function effectively. Contractors must understand how their data is being collected, stored, processed and protected. Key considerations include: Where is data stored? Who has access? How is it encrypted? What happens to data after project completion? Can competitors potentially access insights derived from your data?Vendor selection requires careful evaluation. The construction technology market is flooded with AI solutions, but not all deliver on their promises. Look for vendors with specific construction industry expertise, proven track records and verifiable case studies. Because of the hallucinations, and security issues mentioned above, require that vendors show how they evaluate their AI for accuracy and explain it in non-technical terms, it should not be rocket science. Similarly, require they explain data security, including if contractor team members leave.Future-proofing your AI strategy means staying informed about rapid technological advances while maintaining focus on fundamental business needs. In 2025, models will do more, and they will do it even better, with capabilities expanding monthly. However, avoid chasing every new feature or trending technology. Instead, maintain a clear vision of how AI serves your core business objectives: completing projects safely, on time and within budget.Finally, remember that AI adoption is a journey, not a destination. The technology continues evolving rapidly, and best practices are still emerging. Maintain a learning mindset, regularly reassess your AI strategy and be prepared to adjust as you gain experience. Connect with peers using AI in construction to share lessons learned and avoid common mistakes. The contractors who thrive in the AI era will be those who thoughtfully integrate technology while maintaining their focus on the fundamentals of good construction practices.
by John Crowley | Aug 28, 2025 | Uncategorized
What’s in H.R. 1, The New Tax Bill, and What It Means for SMACNA Contractors The Congress just passed, and the President signed H.R. 1 into law. This budget and tax law is filled with significant updates and the extension of valued existing provisions for HVAC contractors, equipment suppling firms, building owners and real estate project developers. While tax policy isn’t simple, this bill does include many industry tax incentives most contractors will be familiar with from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA). Other incentives will be new, representing significant changes that could impact business growth over the next few years. We are pleased that the new law brings back several SMACNA-endorsed and advocated tax incentives and extends others, some of which were on the verge of ending. Below, is outlined what’s in the bill, why it matters and what each section could mean for your bottom line. Bill Highlights for SMACNA Contractors and Clients: Bonus Depreciation (100%) Restored – Deduct 100% of qualifying property costs in the year placed in service, including past projects, to boost cash flow and tax savings. Section 179 Expensing Expanded – Instantly expense up to $2.5 million in equipment or property purchases with new, higher limits and inflation adjustments. Section 179D Energy-Efficient Deduction – Claim up to $5.00 per square foot for energy upgrades in new builds and renovations. This applies to both private owners and public building designers. The bill keeps the incentive in place but only until the end of 2026 when it ends. The Advanced Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit is increased from 25% to 35% for technology-related projects, often Chip plants, started by the end of 2026.Section 45L Home Energy Credit – The incentive survived efforts to kill it, so homeowners get $2,500 to $5,000 per unit for building energy-efficient single-family or multifamily housing until the end of 2026. Section 174/174A R&E Deduction Reinstated – Immediately deduct domestic R&D expenses instead of amortizing over five years, retroactive to 2022. Section 41 R&D Tax Credit Enhanced – Continue claiming 6% to 20% credit on qualified research while also deducting those same costs under Section 174A. Estate Tax Ceiling Raised – A permanent increase in the unified credit and GSTT exemption threshold from $10 million to $15 million per individual, indexed for inflation.SALT Allowance – Temporarily increases in the SALT cap to $40,000 from $10,000 with limitations until 2030 when the $10,000 threshold returns.The Section 199A deduction is made permanent at the deduction rate of 20%. Further, it limits the phase-in range for certain businesses by increasing the amount from $50,000 to $75,000 for non-joint tax returns and from $100,000 to $175,000 for joint returns.Excess Business Losses – The new Act makes permanent the excess business loss limitation allowed to the amount of aggregate gross income or gain attributable to trades or businesses of the taxpayer plus a threshold amount indexed for inflation ($313,000).Section 45U, Zero-Emission Nuclear Power PTC – Not modified; credit allowed through Dec. 31, 2032. SMACNA also appreciates the reconciliation process for demonstrating support for:The deductibility of employer-sponsored health insurance.Maintaining without changes the business state and local tax (SALT) deduction.Sustaining current law concerning treatment of the tax-free status of municipal bonds.While there is much our industry endorses in the H.R. 1 as passed by the Congress, we regret the final version included termination after 2025 or 2026 of the highly popular and valued IRA residential market tax credits (25C, 25D, 45L) and programs necessary to boost the important consumer-oriented contractor and HVAC equipment retrofit markets.
by John Crowley | Jul 9, 2025 | Uncategorized
HVAC: Modern Niagara Bets Big on Ottawa’s Hard Rock Casino Revamp This ambitious redevelopment aims to establish a premier entertainment destination in Canada’s capital region.The project encompasses a significant expansion and renovation of the existing facility, integrating Hard Rock’s signature blend of luxury and entertainment. Upon completion, the venue will feature:A 150-room luxury hotel.The Hard Rock Live theatre, with a capacity of up to 2,200 guests.An expanded casino floor with 1,500 slot machines and up to 40 table games, including a separate Baccarat room and high-limit slots.Modern Niagara Founded in 1959 as a local plumbing services shop in Ottawa, Modern Niagara has evolved into a leader in mechanical, electrical and integrated building technology systems.Modern Niagara’s roots trace back to 1959, when Jan Kaminski and Joe Clark established Modern Plumbing, a local plumbing services shop in Ottawa. In 1999, the company merged with Niagara Mechanical, a Toronto-based mechanical services firm, and rebranded as Modern Niagara Group Inc. This expansion marked the beginning of a national presence, with the company now offering mechanical, electrical, HVAC and integrated building technology services across Canada.Today, Modern Niagara Ottawa employs over 850 professionals and is involved in major infrastructure projects throughout the city, including the redevelopment of Parliament Hill’s Centre Block and the construction of the new Ottawa Public Library. The company has also demonstrated a commitment to community engagement, exemplified by a $100,000 donation to Algonquin College’s Centre for Construction Excellence in 2009, supporting the development of a new trades training facility.Now, using innovative engineering solutions and collaborative strategies, Modern Niagara is bringing the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s ambitious vision to life. The Scope of HVAC & Sheet Metal WorkModern Niagara is playing a pivotal role in the transformation of Ottawa’s Rideau Carleton Casino into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa. The project encompasses a six-story, 150-room hotel, including 22 suites, a 1,800-seat Hard Rock Live theatre, and an expanded casino floor featuring 1,500 slot machines, 40 table games, a Baccarat room and high-limit gaming areas. Additionally, the venue will offer over 10 restaurants, bars and lounges, including the iconic Hard Rock Café and Council Oak Steakhouse. The anticipated completion date for the project is set for this year.As the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contractor for this $350-million redevelopment, Modern Niagara is responsible for installing and integrating the building’s essential systems. This includes installing advanced mechanical systems to support the casino’s increased capacity. Their team is fabricating and installing extensive sheet metal ductwork, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, and specialized ventilation to maintain air quality in gaming and entertainment areas.The company is deploying:Over 250,000 pounds of sheet metal ductwork to support proper airflow throughout the hotel, casino and entertainment spaces.Custom-fabricated ductwork and exhaust systems designed to maintain optimal indoor air quality, particularly in high-traffic casino areas.Energy-efficient HVAC units to regulate temperature and humidity for guest comfort while optimizing energy consumption.High-performance air handlers and ventilation systems to meet Hard Rock’s stringent indoor air quality standards.To ensure accuracy and efficiency, Modern Niagara is employing digital modeling and prefabrication techniques, allowing the team to manufacture HVAC components off-site before installation. The company is using MEP suspension solutions to achieve a 50% reduction in labor time compared to traditional methods. These products eliminate the need for threaded rods and unistrut systems, simplifying the installation of electrical conduit, cable trays, HVAC ductwork and piping systems.A key factor in the project’s success is Modern Niagara’s collaborative approach. By fostering strong relationships with stakeholders, the company ensures seamless integration of various trades and services. On this project, Modern Niagara is delivering sheet metal, insulation, plumbing and electrical services, showcasing their multidisciplinary expertise.The team is also using advanced technologies, such as transmitting 3D models directly to pipe profiling machines, as well as eliminating manual drawings and programming. This innovation is accelerating plasma cutting processes, potentially saving over 6,000 work hours annually and allowing the team to focus on higher-value tasks.Commitment to Community and CultureModern Niagara’s impact extends beyond construction. The company is dedicated to positively influencing Canada’s infrastructure and the communities where people live, learn, work and heal. Their culture emphasizes inclusivity and innovation, with values of passion, initiative, determination, professionalism and teamwork at the forefront.As the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino project progresses, Modern Niagara continues to use collaborative strategies, technological innovations and commitment to community engagement to set a benchmark for this and future projects. This redevelopment not only revitalizes an existing structure but also promises to enhance Ottawa’s entertainment landscape for years to come.
