Tariffs Drive Construction Materials Prices Up 2.8% in 2025

  • Posted on

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

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , ,

US Commercial Construction Outlook Largely Positive, Says QBE North America

  • Posted on

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

Filed under: Economic News, eNewsTagged with: ,

Tariffs Push Construction Materials Prices Higher in November

  • Posted on

Construction input prices increased 0.6% in November compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Overall construction input prices are 3.4% higher than one year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 3.8% higher. Prices increased in 2 of 3 energy categories last month. Natural gas and unprocessed energy materials prices were up 10.8% and 1.4%, respectively, while crude petroleum prices were down 1.1% in November. “Construction input prices surged in November and are now up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis,” said ABC Chief Economist … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , ,

AGC Report: Contractors Have ‘Dampened’ Expectations for 2026

  • Posted on

Construction contractors have “dampened” expectations for 2026, aside from surging demand for data centers and power facilities, amid broader worries about the direction of the economy, according to Dampened Expectations: The 2026 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook, which the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage released. In addition to lower expectations, contractors report they have been impacted by tariffs, enhanced immigration enforcement and challenges finding qualified workers. “While there are pockets of optimism in select private-sector markets, contractors’ overall sentiment has dampened notably compared to last year,” said Jeffrey Shoaf, the association’s CEO. “One reason for their lowered expectations is … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: ,

ABC: Construction Lost 11,000 Jobs in December, Added Just 14,000 Jobs in 2025

  • Posted on

The construction industry lost 11,000 jobs on net in December, 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 grew by 14,000 jobs, an increase of 0.2%. Nonresidential construction employment decreased by 7,800 positions on net, with losses in 2 of the 3 subcategories. Heavy and civil engineering added 2,300 jobs, while nonresidential specialty trade and nonresidential building lost 8,900 and 1,200 jobs, respectively. The construction unemployment rate was 5.0% in December. Unemployment across all industries dropped to 4.4% but is 0.3 percentage points higher … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , ,