Tariffs and Construction

What Federal and Federal-Aid Contractors Need to Know

Tariffs are taxes imposed by governments on imported goods to protect domestic industries or generate revenue. They can be percentage-based or flat fees per unit. These taxes are paid at the point of entry into the United States by the importer of the products and affect the pricing of goods. Steel, aluminum, lumber, and electrical components are just some of the examples of the wide variety of construction materials that can be affected by import taxes and experience price fluctuations.

To help contractors navigate challenges related to possible tariffs, AGC is creating resources, educating the construction community, and advocating for contractors on key considerations on the potential impacts as it relates to construction.

AGC of America is working to provide contractors with the most up-to-date information on tariffs.

Click here to view the Tariff Resource Center for Contractors.

In January 2025, AGC developed a Tariff Memo outlining key considerations and potential impacts of the administration’s trade policies on the construction industry. It covers general circumstances that construction contractors may face in connection with an increase in tariffs and how contractors can work through them.

Click here to view AGC's Tariff Memo

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How To Manage Immigration Enforcement Anxiety

It has been reported that there has been a rise in anxiety over the potential presence of immigration enforcement officers in Houston. We understand that these developments may cause concern within our industry, so please know that we are here to support you.

Immigration enforcement can create complex legal and operational challenges for employers, and it’s crucial to have clear procedures in place to handle such situations appropriately and lawfully.  

Two-Part Webinar Series: Be Ready When ICE Arrives at the Jobsite 

Thursday, March 20, 2025 | 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. 
Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. 

With the Trump administration's recent flurry of executive orders related to immigration action items of interest to employers and their increased scrutiny over the status of foreign workers in the U.S., the best time to prepare and protect your business from liability is now.

In this two-part webinar series, we are going to discuss the pressing topics of the day for contractors, including:

• Are we a target of ICE for an audit or raid?
• What’s the difference between a raid and an audit?
• How do you best respond to an audit/raid at your jobsite?
• Can we prepare for audit and/or raid?
• Why is it important to have your I-9 forms in order?
• How do you prepare an internal I-9 audit?
• How do you prepare and protect your legal/authorized workers from getting affected by a raid or rumor of an impending raid?
• Can you protect your legal workforce?
• How do you continue to access foreign workers legally in this environment?
• What visas/programs are available and what is their continued viability?
• Are you required to use E-Verify in states you operate in?
• Review of content from last month’s webinar.

Click here to register for the two-part webinar series today!

Below Are Some Best Practices That Could Guide Employers if ICE Agents Arrive at a Jobsite

Ask for Identification and a Warrant:

• Politely request identification from the ICE agents and the purpose of their visit.
• If they request access to the jobsite or company records, ask to see a warrant. Ensure the warrant is signed by a judge and describes the scope of the search or seizure.

Limit Access Without a Valid Warrant:

• Without a judicial warrant, ICE agents do not have the right to enter non-public areas of a jobsite. Public areas (e.g., parking lots or lobbies) are typically accessible, but private areas require authorization.

Notify Key Personnel:

• Inform the superintendent or project manager immediately.
• If possible, delay ICE's entry until the company's legal counsel or HR representative can be present, similar to procedures for an OSHA inspection.

Do Not Provide Voluntary Information:

• Employees should not obstruct ICE agents but also should not volunteer information or documents beyond what is legally required.
• Ensure employees know to direct all inquiries to a designated company representative trained to handle such situations.

Train Employees:

• Conduct training for employees and site supervisors on how to respond to ICE visits professionally and within legal boundaries.
• Reassure employees of their rights and the company’s commitment to compliance.

Legal Counsel:

• If ICE presents a warrant, contact your legal counsel immediately to review its validity and advise on compliance.

Please click here for additional resources. 

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Submissions Are Open for the 2024 AGC-TBB Outstanding Construction Awards

Calling all builders! Submit your top-notch projects for the 2024 AGC-TBB Outstanding Construction Awards! The deadline to apply is March 14, 2025, at 5 p.m. Only projects completed in 2024 are eligible to be submitted! Please contact Catherine Morgan (catherine.m@agchouston.org) or Pauline Preston (pauline@agctbb.org) for more information.  

Please click here to submit your application!

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AGC Launches Online Mental Health & Suicide Prevention

 Course for Construction Supervisors

AGC just launched a new, online, and self-paced mental health and suicide prevention course designed to help construction supervisors provide resources and support for workers.

The roughly three-hour course covers key topics such as the risk factors for mental health challenges and suicide in construction, how to cultivate a psychologically safe work culture, identifying and approaching employees in need, leadership and employee engagement, and human resources considerations.

AGC developed the course to address the fact the construction sector has one of the highest suicide rates among all professions. The association collaborated with industry leaders and mental health professionals to develop an educational program to equip supervisors with the knowledge and skills to identify and support struggling workers, care for themselves, and become a catalyst for change within their organizations.

Click here to learn more and to enroll in the course.

 

Looking for New Training Opportunities?

Upcoming Courses

 2/26/2025 - 3/5/2025: AGC Edge Project Manager Development Program - Virtual Training

2/26/2025 - 3/24/2025: AGC Edge New Supervisory Training Program 2024 Ed. Units 5 & 6

3/11/2025 - 3/27/2025: AGC Edge Construction Supervision Fundamentals - Virtual Training

3/18/2025 - 3/27/2025: AGC Edge Lean Construction Education Program 2.0 - Virtual Training

3/31/2025 - 4/11/2025: AGC Edge Project Manager Development Program - Virtual Training

4/1/2025 - 4/10/2025: AGC Edge Building Information Modeling - Virtual Training

4/7/2025 - 5/5/2025: Introduction to Construction Plan Reading & Specification Documents

4/25/2025: Texas Lien Laws

4/25/2025: Advanced Texas Lien Laws

5/5/2025 - 5/21/2025: AGC Edge Lean Construction Education Program 2.0 - Virtual Training

5/6/2025: Employment Law - Virtual Edition

5/8/2025: Contract Law - Virtual Edition

5/13/2025: Texas Sales and Use Taxes - Virtual Edition

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New in 2025: Project Engineer Bootcamp - Virtual Training

March 5th - May 19th

AGC Houston has teamed up with AGC of Colorado to offer an online Project Engineer Bootcamp. This Bootcamp picks up where higher education left off and is intended for interns or project engineers that are early in their construction careers, including graduates with up to five years of experience. The Bootcamp also benefits craft leaders or administrative staff looking to transition into a Project Engineering role. Each unit is standalone and can be taken individually, or you can choose to complete all three. Sign up today to take the next step in your career!

Project Engineers (PEs) play a pivotal role in the success of construction projects, with many being recent graduates or interns. This Bootcamp bridges the gap left by higher education and targets interns or Project Engineers in the early stages of their construction careers, including those with up to five years of experience. It is also advantageous for craft leaders or administrative personnel aspiring to become Project Engineers. The Bootcamp is conducted by seasoned constructors and instructors eager to impart their work experiences and nurture the next generation of construction leaders.

Click here to learn more!

Upcoming Safety Classes

AGC Houston is proud to partner with the Region VI OSHA Education Center at the University of Texas at Arlington. The OSHA Education Center at the University of Texas at Arlington is the top-ranked OSHA Training Institute Education Center in the country. AGC Houston is not an OSHA Training Institute Education Center but serves as a host-training organization for the University of Texas at Arlington OSHA Training Institute Education Center.

View the full list of OSHA UT-A courses here.

MARCH

3/3/25 - 3/5/25: OSHA #502 Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers

3/3/25 - 3/6/25: OSHA #501 Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for General Industry

3/5/25 - 3/7/25: OSHA #503 Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers

3/10/25 - 3/13/25: OSHA #510 Occupational Safety & Health Standards for Construction

3/10/25 - 3/13/25: OSHA #511 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry

3/11/25 - 3/13/25: OSHA #2264 Permit-Required Confined Space Entry

3/17/25 - 3/20/25: OSHA #500 Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for Construction

3/17/25 - 3/21/25: SH 702 Accident Investigation Certificate Program

3/24/25- 3/27/25: OSHA #521 OSHA Guide to Industrial Hygiene

3/25/25 - 3/27/25: OSHA #3085 Principles of Scaffolding

3/31/25 - 4/2/25: OSHA #502 Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers

3/31/25 - 4/3/25: OSHA #3095 Electrical Standards

3/31/25 - 4/3/25: OSHA #510 Occupational Safety & Health Standards for Construction

 MARCH 6: Coffee & Conversations 

 MARCH 13: Shamrockin' Member Mixer

APRIL 11-12: 2025 AGC Houston BBQ Cook-Off - Registration Now Open!

Missed Last Week's Hawaiian Shirt Friday Video? Watch it Now!
Stay tuned on #HawaiianShirtFridays for updates from Kyle Holland on LinkedIn that focus on all the value that AGC Houston can offer members. If you've missed any of our insightful videos, fret not! Head over to our YouTube page for a catch-up session. Stay connected, stay informed!  

Unlock Exclusive Opportunities with Our Member Benefits

AGC Houston is a full-service membership organization providing more than 500 member companies with access to advocacy, networking opportunities, safety services, and education and training programs.

An AGC Houston membership automatically enrolls your company in Associated General Contractors of America, providing additional valuable benefits and access to resources and training. Our membership includes general contractors, specialty contractors, associates (suppliers), and affiliates (professional services firms). AGC Houston’s membership territory reaches 24 counties, and our members represent a $2.3 billion market. 

AGC Members Saved Over $15 Million Last Year
Using AGC Member Discount Programs 

The AGC Member Discount Programs offer a variety of benefits to our members, including access to high-quality services, state-of-the-art technologies, and premier products. Through our partnerships with leading companies, we are able to provide discounts on a wide range of products and services. These discounts are designed to help our members save money and improve their daily business operations.

Our value-added discounts provide a competitive advantage that can set your business apart from others in the industry. AGC Member Discount Programs are just one of the many benefits of being an AGC member that aim to help our members succeed and grow. Questions? Please email Discounts@agc.org.

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AGC Select 401(k) Plan

Beginning with just a few companies in 2010, this plan has grown to over 150 companies and more than $570 million in assets, making it the largest AGC plan in the country.

Please click the image below to learn more.

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CompGroup AGC

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Reliant Energy Discount Program

Setting up electrical service at a site is one of the tedious details you must handle before you can start work on a project. Let Reliant's program for AGC Texas Building Branch (www.reliant.com/agc) make it a lot easier.

The program provides the following to AGC members throughout Texas:

• A dedicated representative
• Concierge service
• Industry support
• Special pricing

Please click the image below to learn more.

 

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National Purchasing Partners

AGC Houston has teamed up with NPP to bring you discount pricing on wireless service, travel, office and maintenance supplies, and more. Access products and services while leveraging the power of group purchasing to get valuable discounts for your business, employees, and yourself. Membership is free, and NPP negotiates the rates and makes them available to AGC members. 

Please click the image below to learn more.

 

Instagrid, Inc.
6 Northway Lane, Suite C07
Latham, NY 12110
Website: https://instagrid.co/us

Service Safety
10501 Eagle Fork Ct.
La Porte, TX 77571
Phone: (281) 910-5941
Website: https://servicesafety.net/

Chief Solutions, Inc
11500 N Houston Rosslyn Rd.
Houston, TX 77088
Phone: (713) 682-3231
Website: https://www.chiefsolutionsinc.com/

TMS Roofing LLC
1334 Brittmoore Rd., STE 1000B
Houston, TX 77043
Phone: (713) 545-7801
Website: https://www.tmsroofing.com/

Aggreko, LLC
3732 Magnolia Pkwy
Pearland, TX 77003
Phone: (713) 325-0957
Website: https://www.aggreko.com/en-us?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=aggreko_GMB_listings

IECON INC
2537 S. Gessner Rd., Suite 126
Houston, TX 77063
Phone: (713) 885-1622
Website: https://ieconi.com/

Acrisure LLC
1 Sugar Creek Center Blvd., Suite 550
Sugarland, TX 77478
Phone: (346) 802-2551
Website: https://www.acrisure.com/?utm_source=platform&utm_medium=south

H.D. Grant Co.
5417 Renwick Drive
Houston, TX 77081
Phone: (713) 668-8887
Website: https://www.hdgrant.com/

Temporary Wall Systems Southeast Houston
9203 Elk Mountain Ct.
Missouri City, TX 77459
Phone: (713) 518-1022
Website: https://tempwallsystems.com/locations/southeast-houston/

TufTile
23411 Yellow Larkspur Lane
Katy, TX 77493
Phone: +1 (888) 960-8897
Website: https://www.tuftile.com/

HV Health and Safety, LLC
505 S Friendswood Drive, Suite 201
Friendswood, TX 77546
Phone: +1 (888) 771-1172
Website: https://hvhealthandsafety.com/