Construction Employment Increases In 264 out of 358 Metro Areas Between June 2016, 2017

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Construction employment increased in 264 out of 358 metro areas between June 2016 and June 2017, declined in 57 and stagnated in 37, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that even though most metro areas added construction jobs, the employment gains were particularly pronounced in the western third of the country. “Western metro areas, from southern California and Nevada to Oregon and Washington, logged many of the largest absolute and percentage increases in construction employment in the past year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. … Read more

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Nonresidential Building and Electric Utilities Advance, Housing Recedes

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NEW YORK, N.Y. – New construction starts in June grew 4 percent from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $679.9 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. Nonresidential building increased 13 percent in June, strengthening after two months of lackluster activity, and the nonbuilding construction sector rose 8 percent with the help of elevated activity for electric utilities. However, residential building slipped 4 percent in June, as both sides of the housing market (single-family and multifamily) retreated. Through the first six months of 2017, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis were $342.7 billion, down 4 … Read more

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Construction Employment Climbs Between June 2016, 2017

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Forty-one states added construction jobs between June 2016 and June 2017 amid continuing widespread demand for construction services, while 25 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between May and June, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data recently released. Association officials said the smaller number of states adding workers in the latest month may indicate a shortage of qualified job seekers, rather than a slowdown in demand for construction. “Contractors in most of the country say they have plenty of projects booked and would like to hire more workers … Read more

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Turner’s Second Quarter Building Cost Index Reflects Busy Construction Market

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Turner Construction Company announced that the Second Quarter 2017 Turner Building Cost Index—which measures costs in the nonresidential building construction market in the United States—has increased to a value of 1031. This represents a 1.18 percent quarterly increase from the first quarter 2017 and a 4.88 percent yearly increase from the second quarter 2016. The second quarter has seen relatively consistent cost increases across the country, with raw material prices continuing to make moderate gains – particularly among aluminum materials. Engineered products have also seen moderate gains. Additionally, fuel costs have remained relatively flat, having little effect on costs. “The … Read more

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Architecture Firms End Second Quarter on Strong Note

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the fifth consecutive month, architecture firms recorded increasing demand for design services as reflected in the June Architecture Billings Index. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9-12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the June ABI score was 54.2, up from a score of 53.0 in the previous month. This score reflects an increase in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 58.6, down from a reading of 62.4 the previous … Read more

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