Rider Levett Bucknall Releases Quarterly Cost Report for North America, Puts Construction Trends in Perspective

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International property and construction consultancy firm Rider Levett Bucknall has released its new quarterly cost report for North America. With data up to date to July 1 and featuring construction cost information for 14 U.S. and Canadian markets, the QCR provides a statistical view of the state of the construction industry, detailing indicative construction costs for eight building sectors. Upon publication of the QCR, Julian Anderson, FRICS, president of RLB North America, said, “While we expect that construction will face a downturn in the next year, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the construction industry is in trouble; it does mean … Read more

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Construction Employment Rises by 7K in September Amidst Tight Labor Market

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Construction employment increased by 7,000 jobs in September and by 156,000, or 2.1%, over the past 12 months, while the number of unemployed jobseekers with construction experience reached a record low for September, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the modest increase in employment likely reflects tight labor conditions and urged federal officials to increase funding for career and technical education and pass immigration reform. “Contractors foresee plenty of projects to bid on, and nearly three-fourths of firms expect to add workers during the next twelve months, but … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases in 39 States, D.C. September 2018-September 2019

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Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between September 2018 and September 2019, while construction employment increased in 28 states from August to September, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said that it is likely additional states would have added new construction jobs if firms could find more qualified workers to hire. “Although evidence is mounting that the overall economy is slowing, contractors in most states are still eager to hire,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But they are unable to find qualified workers … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Posts Recent Gain

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The Dodge Momentum Index moved 4.1% higher in September to 143.6 (2000=100) from the revised August reading of 137.9. The momentum index, issued by Dodge Data & Analytics, is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. The gain in September was due entirely to an 8.9% increase in the commercial component, while the institutional component fell 4.8%. For the third quarter, the overall momentum index averaged 140.1, a scant increase of 0.7% from its average in the … Read more

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Marcum Commercial Construction Index Reports Nonresidential Construction Industry Slows, Economy Cools 

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The Marcum Commercial Construction Index for the second quarter of 2019 reports construction spending slowing as the economy signals confusion and indecisiveness. Nonresidential construction spending declined 1.8% on a monthly basis in June but is up 2.3 % year-over-year. Total nonresidential spending in June was $773.8 billion on a seasonally adjusted annual basis, as compared to $756.4 billion in June 2018. The index is produced by Marcum’s National Construction Services group.   Eleven of the 16 nonresidential construction sectors expanded year-over-year, including lodging, office, healthcare, public safety, amusement and recreation, transportation, highway and street, sewage and waste disposal, water supply, … Read more

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