American Subcontractors Association of Austin, TX

Learning How to Adjust and Adapt in a
Post- COVID-19 Construction World

This article appeared in ASA's monthly e-magazine, The Contractors Compass.
To see all of the articles available in this industry leading publication, click here.

Construction has always been more unpredictable and perilous than many industries, making agility a basic necessity for contractors and their teams. The COVID-19 pandemic has tested that agility like never before.

Decisions on whether construction work could or should continue during the pandemic have varied by city and state. The interpretation of mandates can depend on the day and person you ask. Relatively early during the coronavirus shutdown, Boston ordered most construction work to stop. New York initially deemed construction essential and then ordered a halt to most work, instituting fines up to $10,000 for those found working on nonessential or non-emergency construction. The city of Austin required all nonessential construction to pause in March, but then in early April, the Texas governor issued an executive order allowing construction across the state to continue. Even where construction was allowed, contractors faced labor shortages as workers had to choose between a paycheck and risks to their personal health.

ADVOCACY

ASA is the united voice dedicated to improving the business environment in the construction industry, representing subcontractors before all branches (executive, legislative, judicial) and levels (federal, state, local) of government, to organizations representing other parts of the construction industry, to the news media, and others.

NETWORKING

Exchange ideas and knowledge with your peers and other industry leaders.

Access to General Contractors, Owners, as well as other industry influencers.

Access to leading technology companies, manufacturers, suppliers and other industry service providers.

EDUCATION

ASA of Austin, TX offer subcontractor-tailored events and education including Members-only educational resources ranging from model contract language to risk management and marketing tools. We also offer in-person and distance-learning educational events open to members and nonmembers for a fee.