Hey crew,

Big week for healthcare construction with a $435M Florida hospital hitting a major milestone. Plus RS Means dropped their 2026 cost trends that'll impact your estimates, and we've got intel on why researching your competition before bidding can save you thousands.

Let’s cut through this👇

Skanska celebrated a major milestone this week by topping out Lee Health's new hospital and medical office building in Fort Myers, Florida. The $435 million project represents one of the largest healthcare construction efforts in Southwest Florida.

The facility will serve a rapidly growing population in the region, with demand for medical services increasing 15% annually according to Lee Health data.

Takeaway: Healthcare construction remains one of the most stable sectors, with aging demographics driving consistent demand for new facilities.

The contractor placed the final beam on the five-story, Lee Health hospital building and medical office in Fort Myers, Florida.

The University of California Board of Regents approved a $298 million UCLA Health project to convert an existing El Segundo, California building into a specialized orthopedic and sports medicine facility.

The project will transform the commercial space into a state-of-the-art medical center. Meanwhile, the VA approved $672 million in new hospital projects across multiple states as part of their ongoing infrastructure modernization program.

Takeaway: Medical facility conversions and renovations are creating opportunities for contractors who understand healthcare compliance requirements.

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RS Means released their 2026 Construction Cost Trends showing key materials like lumber, steel, and copper will see continued volatility throughout the year. Their data suggests building in a 3-5% quarterly escalation factor for projects extending beyond 6 months.

The report also highlights how AI is starting to impact pre-construction processes, potentially reducing estimating time by 20-30% for firms that adopt the technology.

Takeaway: Update your escalation clauses now — projects starting in Q2 should include material price protection beyond the standard 2% annual bump.

Smart contractors research who else is bidding before they waste time on a proposal. Check their websites, look up their Department of Labor records, and ask around at trade organization meetings.

If three low-ball specialists are going after the same job, you might want to save your estimating hours for a winnable fight. Stan Uhlig puts it simply: know your competition or risk spending thousands on proposals you'll never win.

Takeaway: Before spending time and money on a proposal, research who else is likely bidding — if you cannot compete, save your resources for a fight you can win.