RALEIGH, N.C. — FMI released its Q3-2014 Construction Outlook. The forecast calls for solid, slow growth. Contributing factors include relatively low energy prices, low inflation, unemployment holding around 6.2 percent and GDP slowly growing. Additionally, consumer confidence is rising steadily, building permits and housing starts bounced back in July, and banks are starting to lend again, that is, if the applicant has good credit and cash flow. Therefore, sectors such as power, conservation and development, as well as transportation will continue to see growth ahead of GDP. However, water supply, sewage and waste disposal, and highway and street construction will … Read more

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Gilbane Building Company announced the Summer 2014 edition of its in-house economics report, Building for the Future – Construction Economics: Market Conditions in Construction. The report predicts rapid growth coupled with the lack of skilled, experienced labor and the ability to meet schedule will be some of the most important industry issues to address over the next few years. “The good, if not, great news is that the most favorable, forward-looking conditions support expectations for strong industry growth in 2015,” said Ed Zarenski, a Gilbane estimating executive with more than 40 years in the construction business. “Very … Read more