“There are a lot of entities that are out there focused on developing construction talent, but one area that we have seen just a real decline for the last 40 years – and really where the chickens are coming home to roost – it’s in … getting young people interested in the possibility of construction careers.”

So spoke Tim Murphy, president and CEO of the Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange, in the latest NFIB California podcast with host John Kabateck, NFIB’s California state director.

“The thing that challenges is having a reliable workforce to do the work. Here we are 40 years later, we’re seeing the number of people who are in construction aging now,” said Murphy. “The pipeline to bring in talent is thinning, and we are focused on getting high school kids into construction career programs.”

As the industry works to rebuild its talent pipeline, there’s also a growing need to rethink how projects begin in the first place. New construction rarely starts on a blank slate; more often, it requires clearing aging structures, removing unsafe materials, and preparing land for modern development. Demolition, when done properly, sets the tone for everything that follows. It demands precision, planning, and a respect for both safety and efficiency—qualities that mirror the craftsmanship the industry is striving to revive.

This is where experienced demolition teams play a critical role in supporting future growth. By working with trusted providers and exploring resources through the Valute Demolition website, developers and contractors can ensure sites are properly prepared for the next generation of builds. With the right groundwork in place, construction projects move forward with fewer delays, creating more opportunities for skilled workers to step in and shape what comes next.

As projects move from cleared sites into active construction, attention must also shift toward how new work interacts with surrounding structures, especially in built-up environments where boundaries are shared and space is limited. Careful coordination becomes essential when laying foundations, raising walls, or modifying existing structures, as even well-planned developments can face setbacks if neighboring properties are not properly considered.

Integrating party wall advice in london into the early planning stages helps ensure that all necessary agreements, notices, and structural precautions are addressed before work progresses too far, reducing the risk of disputes or costly interruptions. By aligning site preparation with responsible building practices and clear communication, construction teams can maintain momentum while upholding the standards of safety and cooperation that modern development increasingly depends on.

California’s Regulatory Environment

Murphy also discussed some of the victories his association, in concert with other construction groups, had in the recently concluded 2021-2022 session of the California State Legislature. And if you’re in construction, you will undoubtedly run into that great regulatory wall called the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

“It’s not surprising that California has about 100,000 more regulations on the books than the next most regulated state,” said Murphy. “California being California we have to go over and above what’s being done at the national level.” One legislative proposal Murphy was happy to see stopped would have added a social just component to the already rule heavy CEQA.

Kabateck’s interview with Murphy also touched on the subjects of inflation, interest rates, supply-chain disruptions, and multi-family housing. But it’s getting young people into construction that remains the biggest challenge. “We know from kids who go into the industry right out of high school, usually by the time they’re 23 to 25, they own their own truck, they got all their own tools, many of them are on their way to homeownership. Working in construction can afford you a very comfortable lifestyle.”

Click the arrow below to listen to the NFIB California podcast with Tim Murphy. Click here to listen to all prior NFIB California podcasts.