No Consolidation – The construction industry is an owner – operator business. Efforts to consolidate have shown power of small business – you cannot beat an owner who is risking his wealth every day. Large firms are at a disadvantage. Again, small is big.

Local – Where can a construction company be started? Anywhere! Construction expertise is needed in all fifty states. It does not need a port facility or wide open spaces to operate. You can start one where you live and that is family friendly. An important consideration these days.

No college degree needed – Construction people who have worked in field for several years have equivalent of a college degree. A majority of construction knowledge is earned while working not studying. Technically, you learn how to install quality work with your own two hands. I strongly believe that someone who has owned and operated a construction business for 20 years has a master’s degree maybe even a Ph.D. No large capital investment needed – Some successful construction firms have been started with no money. Beginning capital is not a major obstacle. This is a cash flow and variable cost business. To start, a person does not have to float an IPO or have a rich uncle. What they need to do is understand economics and have technical expertise.

Shortage of people wanting to be in it – Industry economists agree that we still have a shortage of people employed in Construction. Conservatively, number needed is 150,000. As we have learned in our lifetimes, Demand / Supply curve is very powerful. A shortage of anything drives price up. Competent people earnings have outstripped general wage increases in other industries. That is job security as well as wealth building. Ask a computer programmer or airline pilot about over supply of people and effect on wages and opportunity.

Non-Importable – The trend of outsourcing to other countries has grown in last several years. Take your pick: Computer Programming, Manufacturing or Engineering. Construction is insulated from this problem. Put bluntly, you cannot dig a hole in Orient and import it into United States. The majority of labor must be “insitu” or at project site.

What other industry has all these attributes. The answer is none. Although, perception persists that our industry does not have much to offer young people. It is not true. Surveys have shown people in construction do not recommend our industry to their children. We must stop this habit. I challenge each of us to promote our industry. Let truth be told.

matt stevens can be reached at mstevens@stevenci.com

Hydraulic Engineering

. Sewer drainage, gravitational, pumps. Vacuum systems. . Trade waste drainage and treatment plants. . Stormwater drainage. . Sub-soil drainage. . Rainwater downpipes & gutters. . Sanitary plumbing. . Trade waste plumbing. . Cold water supply, storage and pressurisation. . Hot water supply, boilers & calorifiers. . Natural Gas service. · LP gas service. . Sanitary ware. · Taps, outlets and controls. . Thermostatic mixing valve assemblies. . Landscape watering & irrigation water supply. . Grey water reuse. · Back flow prevention. . Water feature display fountains. . Swimming pool systems. . Steam service. . Compressed air service. . Bioremediation processes.

Civil Hydraulic Engineering

. Stormwater drainage detention systems. . Domestic water treatment plants & reticulation. . Water harvesting. . Bore pumping. . Soil management. . Nutrient management control. . Organic sewerage treatment plants. . Sewerage treatment plants. . Treated sewerage effluent spray irrigation.

Fire Engineering . Fire hydrant & fire hose reel systems. . Fire sprinkler service. . External fire sprinkler service. . Pre-action fire sprinkler systems for computer rooms. . Deluge fire suppression systems. . Fire alarm services. . Smoke detection services. . Emergency warning intercoms. . Vesda systems for computer rooms. . Fire extinguishers.

Medical Gases

. Medical oxygen. . Nitrous oxide. . Medical breathing air. . Surgical tools gas. . Suction.

Scope of Services

No fee advisory service. Design. Documentation. Specification. Construction quality control. Hydraulic Feasibility Studies. Estimating. Bills of Quantities. Due diligence. Professional witness.

Depending on country in which you develop, you might expect your hydraulic engioneer to be a member of following professional bodies:

American Society of Sanitary Engineers

American Society of Plumbing Engineers

Hydraulic Services Consultants of Australia

Australian Water Association

Institute of Plumbing Australia

Royal Society for Promotion of Health (London)

If your country's Institute of Hydraulic Engineers is not listed just go to : Google Search and type in Search Box; "Institute of Hydraulic Engineers"