The Top Electrical Contractor Publications

As an electrical contractor, you know that the industry is in constant flux. Code changes, regulations, technological advancements, market trends, and new product releases are always changing. It’s imperative that you continue to be knowledgeable about these things to stay one step ahead of the competition.

As a business owner, you also need to stay regularly informed about things such as sales & marketing strategies, human resources, accounting & finance, and industry news. These are key components to managing a successful company.

Thankfully, there are many resources available to help. Here are the best print and online tools that will help you stay up to date.

Electrical Contractor Magazine ( ECM )

ECM is a monthly print and online magazine published by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). It covers the electrical construction industry. Its sections include:

• Codes & Standards
• Integrated systems
• Safety
• Business and market research
• Industry news
• Lighting
• Green building

Its audience includes:

• Electrical contractor business owners
• Engineers
• Estimators
• Purchasing agents
• Project managers and supervisors
• Apprentice and journeymen electricians

Electrical Construction & Maintenance (EC&M)

EC&M is a monthly print and online magazine. It provides electrical professionals with knowledge and insights on important industry topics. These include products, solutions, and technologies used in commercial lighting and industrial lighting applications. You can also subscribe to periodic newsletters that provide news, trends, and best practices for the industry. Subscriber features include:

• Technical information
• Market and construction forecasts
• Thorough product reviews
• How-to instructions
• Code changes
• Business trends
• Editorial content

Construction Business Owner ( CBO )

CBO is a business-focused magazine intended for contractors. Its goal is to help owners of construction firms operate successful businesses. It consists of a monthly trade magazine, weekly newsletters, and digital media products. CBO offers business management tips to help run a profitable business.

CBO provides business management advice and resources to contractors in the following areas:

• Management
• Marketing and sales
• Accounting and finance
• Human resources
• Insurance
• Safety
• Technology
• Environmental and compliance issues
• Legal issues

ForConstructionPros.com

ForConstructionPros.com analyzes today’s news, reviews new construction equipment and methods, and offers business management advice. It is a comprehensive buyers guide of construction equipment and products in their Equipment Network. Equipment Network is the industry’s most extensive directory of new equipment for contractors which includes:

• Construction technology
• Asphalt
• Concrete
• Earthmoving

Its Video Network has construction industry videos which include product introductions, expert interviews, newsworthy events, and trade show coverage. The Video Network also includes the Construction News Tracker. It features breaking news, products, information, and industry analysis meant for construction professionals.

Construction Dive

Construction Dive provides detailed reporting and understanding of the most impactful news and trends that shape the construction industry. Their daily email newsletter, website, and app cover topics such as:

• Commercial building
• Residential building
• Green building
• Design
• Regulations

Construction Executive

Construction Executive is a print and online resource for the construction industry. It covers industry news, business matters, and market developments. It also produces a weekly newsletter that can be customized to deliver only the news that you want. It covers issues such as:

• Project management
• Technological advancements
• Workforce development
• Estimating
• Safety and liability
• Insurance
• Legislative action

Contractor

CONTRACTOR is a news magazine that covers mechanical contracting. It focuses its industry reporting solely on:

• Mechanical piping systems
• Plumbing
• Hydronic/radiant heating
• Fire protection
• Heating

It provides the following features:

• Industry news
• Business management advice
• Market trends
• New products

Residential Contractor Magazine

Residential Contractor Magazine is a monthly national homebuilding trade magazine. It is available in print and digital versions. Its focus is on residential production, custom, home remodeling, and renovation projects. Its target audience is homebuilders, remodelers, and subcontractors. Its contents include:

• Featured articles
• Industry news
• Product features
• Marketing strategies
• Legal strategies
• Weekly newsletters

Modern Contractor Solutions

Modern Contractor Solutions is a monthly print and online resource. It reports on the latest solutions, best practices, and trends in the construction industry. Its target audience is commercial, general, and concrete contractors. Its features include:

• Jobsite safety
• Equipment maintenance
• Environmental issues
• Inventory best practices
• New equipment and tools
• Technological advancements

Building Design+Construction ( BD+C )

Building Design+Construction is a bi-monthly magazine. It covers innovation and technology relating to the design and construction process of the commercial buildings industry. It focuses on commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential buildings. It also focuses on the professionals that design and build them which include:

• Architects
• Engineers
• Contractors
• Owners/developers

Its features include:

• Products/materials, building science
• Construction methods
• Real estate trends

Constructor Magazine

Constructor Magazine is published by the Associated General Contractors Association (AGC). It offers in-depth coverage and analysis of the construction industry and related topics such as:

• Economic news
• Business tips
• Emerging technologies

Its specialties include:

• Human Resources
• Construction Safety and Training
• Construction Best Practices
• Project Management
• Construction Products and Services

General Contractors Magazine

General Contractors Magazine is a nationwide online magazine. It helps people to find contractors, architects, designers, and builders for their projects. Their focus is on evaluating and identifying the top general contractors in America. Their evaluation standards include:

• Work history
• Principals background
• Customer satisfaction
• Recognition and awards
• Online presence
• Clientele
• Work quality

TED Magazine

TED Magazine is a monthly textbook for the electrical distribution channel. It is targeted toward distribution sales. It is a digital publication published twice a month. It provides:

• Industry news for electrical distributors and suppliers
• Green initiatives and alternative markets
• Market trend data and economic outlooks
• New product information
• Manufacturer marketing program rollouts
• Best practices of electrical distributors
• Lighting features

Appliance Technician

Appliance Technician regularly writes new content across a variety of topics relevant to electrical contractors.

They are a nice change of pace from most of the go-to publications because the topics are written from the perspective of another contractor in the field.