Construction Materials Prices Surge in January, Driven Again by Tariffs

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Construction input prices increased 0.7% in January compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 0.6% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 2.3% higher than a year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 2.9% higher. Prices increased in 2 of 3 energy categories last month. Crude petroleum and unprocessed energy materials prices were up 1.8% and 0.4%, respectively, while natural gas prices were down 2.9% in January. “Nonresidential construction input prices rebounded in January, surging at … Read more

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Architecture Firm Billings Continue to Contract Heading into 2026

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The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index dropped to 43.8 in January, down from 47.1 in December, signaling a greater number of firms experienced a decline in billings compared to the previous month. In January, inquiries for new projects dropped for the  first time since April 2025, alongside a decline in newly signed design contracts, as client uncertainty persisted and new projects tended to be smaller in scale. Billings decreased across the country, except in the South, where they held steady. Firms in the Midwest, which saw growth in late 2025, are now experiencing declines again. Business conditions remained challenging across all … Read more

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ABC: Nonresidential Construction Adds Solid 27,900 Jobs in January

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The construction industry added 33,000 jobs on net in January, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has grown by 44,000 jobs, an increase of 0.5%. Nonresidential construction employment expanded by 27,900 positions, with gains in 2 of the 3 subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added 25,100 jobs, while nonresidential building added 3,600 new positions. Heavy and civil engineering lost 800 jobs in January. The construction unemployment rate was 6.9% in January. Unemployment across all industries decreased to 4.3% and is 0.3 percentage points … Read more

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Tariffs Drive Construction Materials Prices Up 2.8% in 2025

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Construction input prices decreased 0.6% in December compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices decreased 0.7% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 2.8% higher than a year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 3.2% higher. Prices increased in 2 of 3 energy categories last month. Natural gas and unprocessed energy materials prices were up 34.8% and 5.5%, respectively, while crude petroleum prices were down 2.7% in December. “Construction materials prices posted a welcome decline in December, yet … Read more

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US Commercial Construction Outlook Largely Positive, Says QBE North America

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QBE North America has released its U.S. Commercial Construction Outlook. The report, developed in partnership with Control Risks, explores near-term risks and opportunities for future growth in commercial construction. “While the industry continues to navigate labor and cost challenges, the overall trajectory for commercial construction remains positive in the United States,” said Ryan Powers, SVP, head of construction at QBE North America. “Our report shows that there are significant opportunities due to industrial construction, tax cuts and private equity activity, foreign investments in America and green construction.” Key themes explored in the 2025 report include: Labor shortages persist. Construction firms … Read more

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