Turner Construction Company announced the fourth quarter 2021 Turner Building Cost Index—which measures costs in the non-residential building construction market in the United States—had increased to the value of 1230. This represents a 1.91% quarterly increase from the third quarter 2021 and a 5.04% yearly increase from the fourth quarter 2020. “While some material prices appear to show signs of leveling, there is continual escalation in steel, copper and aluminum prices. In addition, the supply chain disruptions have continued at unprecedented levels. With subcontractor backlog returning to pre-pandemic levels and skilled labor shortages persisting, competitiveness by vendors and subcontractors appears … Read more
Construction Spending Rose in January from December, January 2021, Reports AGC
Construction spending increased in January compared to both December and a year ago, with strong gains in private nonresidential and residential construction but mixed results for public spending, according to an analysis of federal spending data the Associated General Contractors of America. Association leaders urged Washington officials to speed the award of funds promised by the Bipartisan Infrastructure law. “Private nonresidential construction, especially for manufacturing plants, has rebounded sharply in recent months, while demand for housing remains strong,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But public projects have yet to grow consistently.” Construction spending in January totaled $1.68 trillion … Read more
Monthly Construction Input Prices Rise in January, Says ABC
Construction input prices rose 3.5% 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 3.1% for the month. Construction input prices are up 23.6% over the past 12 months, while nonresidential construction input prices rose 24.3%. Input prices for natural gas and unprocessed energy materials fell for the month by 26.1% and 4.7%, respectively. Crude petroleum prices increased 15.5% in January. All three energy subcategories are up significantly on a year-over-year basis. “While many economists expect inflation to … Read more
Majority of Metro Areas Added Construction Jobs in 2021, Soaring Job Openings Indicate Labor Shortages Getting Worse
Construction employment increased in nearly two out of three U.S. metro areas in 2021, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Yet association officials noted that labor shortages likely kept many firms from adding even more workers. “Construction employment topped year-earlier levels in almost two-thirds of metros for the past few months,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But contractors in many areas say they would have hired even more workers if qualified candidates were available.” Job openings in construction totaled 273,000 at the end of December, an increase of … Read more
Nonresidential Construction Spending Projected to Increase through 2023
According to a new report from the American Institute of Architects, the nonresidential building sector is expected to see a healthy rebound through next year after failing to recover with the broader economy last year. The AIA’s Consensus Construction Forecast panel—comprising leading economic forecasters—expects spending on nonresidential building construction to increase by 5.4% in 2022, and accelerate to an additional 6.1% increase in 2023. With a 5% decline in construction spending on buildings last year, only retail and other commercial, industrial and healthcare facilities managed spending increases. This year, only the hotel, religious and public safety sectors are expected to … Read more





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