Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets: How to Fix America's Construction Industry

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Listen to the latest from Broken Buildings author Barry LePatner:

America's Construction Crisis: Can Broken Buildings and Busted Budgets Be Fixed? a webinar sponsored by Deloitte (registration required). Click here.

Interview on NPR's State of Affairs: A Look at the Construction Industry. Click here.

Published by The University of Chicago Press

Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets is the first book to document the impact of the construction industry on our nation's economy and highlight how this last remaining "mom and pop" industry is rife with inefficiency and waste costing the nation over $120 billion annually.

The Broken Buildings release party was held September 27. Click here to read Barry LePatner's opening remarks.

For further information on Barry LePatner, visit www.BarryLePatner.com.

"Every now and then, a major construction project is completed on time and on budget. Everyone is amazed. Barry LePatner...thinks this exception should become the rule. Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets outlines his proposals for making that possible.... LePatner is right: We ought to stand up to those guys with the nail guns."
From the review, "Getting Hammered," by James R. Hagerty, The Wall Street Journal, December 5, 2007.

"Broken Buildings proves that waste, overspending, and economic irrationality pervade the industry, burdening consumers, taxpayers, and shareholders with enormous costs. As important, it lays out a blueprint for reform."
Daniel Gross, columnist for the New York Times and Slate, and author of Pop! Why Bubbles are Great for the Economy

"Broken Buildings provides deep insight as to why the construction industry has not corrected its faults to mitigate excessive cost overruns...From LePatner's insights, it is clear that we need to instigate a critical examination on improving this critical sector of our economy."
Mark A. Smith, Managing Director, Ernst & Young LLP

"Everyone in construction...should read this book."
A. Eugene Kohn, FAIA, Chairman, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

In an engaging and direct style, Barry B. LePatner pinpoints issues that underlie the industry's woes, including poor management, ineffective supervision, and insufficient investments in technology, while providing practical tips for owners such as advice on the precise language to use during contract negotiations. The book is certain to create a national debate on the future of this critical industry and will have enormous interest to building owners of all stripes, architects and engineers, contractors and construction managers, developers, real estate and insurance professionals, policymakers and public officials.