Architecture Billings Index Reaches Highest Score Since 2007

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Business conditions continue to vary by sector and region Washington, D.C. — After stepping back in October reversing into the negative territory, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) rose more than three points in November to reach its highest mark since December 2007.   As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.   The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the November ABI score was 52.0, up from a reading of 48.7 the previous month.   This score reflects an increase in demand for … Read more

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Construction Employment Rises In 20 States but Gains Remain ‘Spotty and Tenuous’

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13 States Plus D.C. Add Jobs Year-To-Year; California Has the Largest Number of Monthly Gains and Yearly Losses in Construction Jobs; Texas and Oklahoma Have Biggest 12-Month Gains While Nevada Has Steepest Percentage Losses Construction employment expanded in 20 states between October and November, while the list of states with year-over-year construction job gains grew to 13 states plus the District of Columbia, the Associated General Contractors of America reported in an analysis of state employment data released today by the Labor Department. The new figures continue a year-long pattern of mixed results in construction employment as overall demand remains … Read more

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Material Costs Hike, Flat Building Prices ‘Pinch’ Contractors; Continued Cost Increases Threaten To Sink Some Firms, AGC Warns

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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Latest Producer Price Index Figures Show Construction Materials Cost Increases Outstrip Overall PPI; Diesel Fuel and Copper Are the Biggest Problems While Steel Increases Loom Huge jumps in prices for diesel fuel and copper—two key inputs to construction—pinched contractors in November as weak demand for construction forced them to hold down bid prices despite the cost increases, according to an analysis of November producer price index figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Prices for materials used in construction climbed 0.5 percent in November and 4.8 percent over … Read more

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Construction Employment Up or Steady In 1/3 of Metro Areas between October 2009 & 2010

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Phoenix, Ariz. and Hanford-Corcoran, Calif. Top List of Metro Areas Adding Jobs while Chicago and Napa, Calif. Lose Most Jobs for the YearConstruction employment either increased or remained steady in one-third — 113 of 337 metropolitan areas — between October 2009 and October 2010 according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said construction job gains are becoming more widespread thanks in large part to an increase in power, stimulus and other publicly-funded construction projects. “It looks like the stimulus, military base realignment and power projects have put … Read more

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FMI Releases Nonresidential Construction Index (NRCI) for the Fourth Quarter, 2010

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With stimulus winding down, contractors prepare for competition in lean markets RALEIGH, N.C. — FMI, the largest provider of management consulting, investment banking and research to the engineering and construction industry, reported that as of the 4th quarter, the NRCI has been in positive territory for three quarters in a row, but only slightly positive. Most of the major components are down, but expectations for markets are improving slightly. As we begin the new year, nonresidential contractors will focus less on chasing stimulus projects and more on finding private work to fill their backlogs. When asked if the ARRA stimulus … Read more

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