MCAA Regional Report, Region H

Words: Ron AdamsCalifornia - Mason Contractors Association of California
Hawaii - No State Chair
Nevada - No State Chair

Workforce Development

California

Northern CA BAC #3 and Southern CA BAC #4 apprentice programs continuing their training programs. Both programs experienced a slight up-tick in new enrollment, but still far behind the numbers of four years ago.

Hawaii

No State Chair

Nevada

No State Chair

Economic Conditions/Forecasts

California

For the first time since 2008, on a year-over-year 10/1/11 thru 10/1/12, construction employment rose by 27,700. The unemployment rate is still high at 10.1 percent but that’s down from 11.5 percent a year ago. Existing home sales were up 10 percent from a year ago and home prices were up 23 percent in the same period. The California Association of Realtor’s unsold inventory index fell to 3.1 months in October, the lowest reading since August 2005. The UCLA Anderson School of Management 2013 California Economic Forecast calls for a recovery in residential construction to ”take off in earnest” beginning in 2013 predicting a 40 percent increase in residential building permits. As historical data suggest, all previous California recessions were left behind upon gains in residential construction. The report also predicts the CA unemployment rate to average 9.7 percent through 2013 and dip to 8.3 percent in 2014.

Hawaii

No State Chair

Nevada

No State Chair

Masonry Marketing Activities

California

The Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada (CMACN) continue to promote and reward exceptional masonry design through their annual awards ceremony — a truly first class production for deserving designers and contractors to be held this September in Southern CA.

The Masonry Institute of America (MIA) continues to update and upgrade its publications used by designers, contractors and educators across America.

Hawaii

No State Chair

Nevada

No State Chair

Competitors/Trends


California

Contractors through-out the state report bid prices are still in the bottom of the trough due to the ongoing economic great recession that has continued throughout 2012.

A number on new laws go into effect on January 1, 2013 with the following highlighted: CA Air Resources Board (CARB) diesel regulations require all off-road vehicles have Equipment Identification Numbers (EINs) placed on “both sides” of the equipment vehicle and not just on the right side. Another CARB regulation requires all diesel trucks with GVWs greater the 26,000 lbs with 1996 — 2004 engines be replaced or retrofitted.

On the insurance side, be prepared - CA State Workers Comp rates are predicted to rise approximately 15.64 percent.

Hawaii

No State Chair

Nevada

No State Chair
From Day One to Long-Term Success: Onboarding Strategies for Contractors
January 2026

The construction industry is facing one of its toughest challenges in decades. Companies are struggling to find enough skilled workers while competing to keep the ones they have. At the same time, projects are becoming more complex, deadlines are tighter,

Matt Dibara
Business Management
Read More
Finding the Right PPE for Your Work
January 2026

When it comes to PPE, one thing’s for sure: safety isn’t one size fits all. The work you’re doing, where you’re doing it, and even what time of year it is, can all make a big difference in what gear actually works. Price, comfort, and job performance all

Greg Brown
Safety Library
Read More
Back Injuries: The Real Cost and How to Prevent Them
January 2026

The mention of back injuries makes mason contractors cringe, and for good reason. Masons lift heavy objects every day, all day long. When a person sustains a back injury, it is serious. It affects every part of their life, from their ability to perform wo

Zach Everett
Safety Library
Read More
Detailing for Durability: The 2026 Guide to High-Performance Stone Veneer Transitions
January 2026

Some of the most expensive failures involving manufactured stone veneer installations don’t come from the stone at all, but rather from the material transitions and flashing around it. Transitions are weak points in the overall cladding where water can fi

Jeff Tew
Technical Talks
Read More
Interested in working with us? Learn about and join the Masonry Alliance Program →