Construction Officials Renew Push for Immediate Removal of Tariffs on Key Construction Materials, Urge Congress and Administration to Take Steps to Repair ‘Every Level’ of Supply Chain

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The prices contractors pay for construction materials far outstripped the prices contractors charge in the 12 months ending in September, despite a recent decline in a few materials prices, while delivery problems intensified, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. Association officials urged Washington officials to end tariffs on key construction materials and take steps to help unknot snarled supply points. “Construction materials costs remain out of control despite a decline in some inputs last month,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Meanwhile, supply bottlenecks continue to worsen.” The producer price index … Read more

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Nonresidential Construction Sector Posts 1st Job Gain Since March

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The construction industry gained 22,000 jobs between August and September as nonresidential construction firms added employees for the first time in six months, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. Association officials said nonresidential construction has been affected by the widespread supply chain problems, which are causing owners already uncertain about future demand for commercial space to delay or even cancel some projects. “While it is refreshing to see job gains in both residential and nonresidential construction, nonresidential building and infrastructure employment remains far below its pre-pandemic peak,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s … Read more

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Most Infrastructure Categories Post Year-to-Date Declines Compared to 1st 8 Months of 2020, Reports AGC

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Total construction spending was flat between July and August, as a decrease in nonresidential projects offset continuing gains in residential construction, according to a new analysis of federal construction spending data the Associated General Contractors of America. Officials urged the House of Representatives to promptly approve the bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed in the Senate earlier this year, noting that spending on infrastructure in the first eight months of 2021 declined from year-earlier levels. “Nearly every nonresidential spending segment has deteriorated from already inadequate 2020 levels in the first two-thirds of this year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. … Read more

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Survey Reports Construction Workforce Shortages Reach Pre-Pandemic Levels, Coronavirus Continues to Impact Projects + Supply Chains

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Construction firms are struggling to find enough qualified workers to hire even as they continue to be impacted by pandemic-induced project delays and supply chain disruptions, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk. The survey results underscore how the coronavirus pandemic has created constraints on the demand for work even as it limits the number of workers available to hire. “Market conditions are nowhere near as robust as they were prior to the onset of the pandemic,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “At the same time, the … Read more

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Association Reports Prices for Key Construction Materials Increase, Contractors Struggle to Deliver On-Time

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The prices contractors pay for construction materials continued to increase in August, while many firms report struggles to get those materials delivered on time, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. Association officials urged Washington officials to take steps to help address the challenges impacting the entire supply chain and driving the price escalations. “July was the seventh-straight month of double-digit price increases for construction inputs,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Adding to the challenge, contractors are struggling to pass along even a fraction of these added costs onto their clients.” … Read more

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