How MSB Estimating Supports Delaware Contractors with Zip-Code Specific Pricing
In Delaware’s construction market, precision in estimating is critical. Contractors often face challenges such as regional labor shortages, fluctuating material costs, and varying permit fees across counties. A generic estimate that doesn’t account for local conditions can lead to underbidding, cost overruns, or lost opportunities. MSB Estimating solves this problem by using zip-code specific pricing. Leveraging RSMeans […]
Material Price Trends in Delaware: What Estimators Should Watch in 2025
Delaware’s construction industry in 2025 is navigating a dynamic cost environment. After several years of pandemic-related volatility, the market has stabilized somewhat, but tariffs on imported metals, rising energy costs, and labor shortages continue to reshape project budgets. Reports from Gordian’s Quarterly Construction Cost Insights show that while Q2 2025 prices held steady, volatility returned […]
Estimating for Storm-Resistant Construction in Delaware’s Coastal Flood Zones
Delaware’s coastal communities from Fenwick Island to Lewes and Rehoboth Beach face increasing risks from storm surge, flooding, and sea-level rise. According to DNREC’s Flood Ready Delaware initiative, FEMA flood zones such as AE (elevated floodplain) and VE (velocity hazard with wave action) require stricter building standards. Meanwhile, the SR1 Coastal Corridor Resiliency Study highlights […]
Avoiding Cost Overruns: Estimating Best Practices for Delaware Developers
Cost overruns are among the most common risks in construction and development. For Delaware developers, where residential, commercial, and industrial growth is accelerating, overruns can derail timelines, erode profits, and damage reputations. The causes are often predictable: inaccurate estimates, scope creep, labor shortages, regulatory delays, and poor risk planning. By applying best practices tailored to Delaware’s […]
Delaware’s Fast-Growing Industrial Sector: Estimating for Warehouses and Distribution Centers
Delaware has emerged as a strategic hub for industrial growth. With its prime location between Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., and access to the Port of Wilmington, the state is attracting developers who want efficient distribution networks. According to industry reports, several warehouse and industrial projects are slated for completion in 2024, clustered around major […]
Estimating for Historic Renovations in Wilmington’s Preservation Districts
Wilmington, Delaware, is home to some of the state’s most iconic historic neighborhoods, where preservation is not just encouraged but mandated. The Delaware Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program has supported the rehabilitation of more than 300 properties statewide, including 124 in Wilmington, leveraging over $416 million in investment. For contractors and estimators, working in these […]
How to Estimate for Energy-Efficient Homes in Delaware’s Green Building Market
Delaware is rapidly embracing green building practices as part of its statewide push toward sustainability and carbon reduction. Programs like Energize Delaware provide rebates and incentives for energy-efficient upgrades, while the Delaware Energy Code Collaborative has aligned state codes with the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and is preparing for Zero Net Energy (ZNE) […]
Residential Estimating Trends in Newark and Middletown: What Builders Need to Know
Delaware’s housing market is undergoing steady growth, with Newark and Middletown emerging as two of the most active residential construction hubs. Newark, home to the University of Delaware, attracts young professionals, students, and families seeking modern, efficient housing close to employment centers. Middletown, by contrast, has become a hotspot for suburban expansion, offering larger homes, […]
Navigating Prevailing Wage Estimates for Public Projects in Delaware
Public construction projects in Delaware from schools and libraries to infrastructure and municipal buildings are governed by the state’s Prevailing Wage Law. This law ensures that workers on state-funded projects are paid fair wages based on their trade and location. For contractors and estimators, prevailing wage requirements add complexity to the estimating process. Unlike private […]
Estimating Concrete for Coastal Projects in Rehoboth Beach and Lewes
Delaware’s coastal towns especially Rehoboth Beach and Lewes are experiencing a surge in residential and commercial development. From luxury beachfront homes and boardwalk retail spaces to storm-resilient infrastructure, these communities demand construction that balances aesthetic appeal with structural durability. Concrete is the foundation of coastal construction. But estimating concrete in these environments is far more […]
