On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!: Are We Being Regulated to Death?

As I grow older, and hopefully wiser, I have become almost numb to ever increasing regulations, rules and standards. What was once simple and easy is now complicated and costly. I believe the added layers of regulations, some redundant upon redundant, are a major factor in increasing the cost of construction, particularly in the commercial arena. Whether it is well intended environmental regulations or imposed seismic standards, they add costs, in some cases a heavy cost. I would think this could explain why school construction per square foot has almost doubled in recent years, and the yet prevailing “wage” rates seem to remain fairly stable.

I am not proposing negating safety, sustainable construction or compliance, it is simply that regulation upon regulation, often conflicting with each other, has created more confusion and added costs.

Mark Fowler joined Walls & Ceilings as editorial director in 2006. Fowler grew up in the construction business and has held a number of positions in different companies and associations. He spent 11 years with the Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau before moving to his position with Soltner Group Architects in Seattle. Fowler is currently the executive director of the Stucco Manufacturers Association. He can be reached at Mark@markfowler.org.