PHOENIX, Ariz. — Rider Levett Bucknall, international property and construction consultants, reported that U.S. construction spending is at its highest level since 2008, although construction costs increased by 1.38 percent in the second quarter of 2014 (5.52 percent on an annualized basis). The firm published its findings in its newly released Third Quarter 2014 USA Construction Cost Report. Rider Levett Bucknall's research indicates that recent optimism about the construction industry has been heightened by the news that construction spending rebounded strongly in July, reaching its highest level in six years. Improvements were shown in both private and public construction investment […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation recently released the October 2014 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry. Designed to collect leadership data, the index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $827-billion equipment finance sector. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 60.4, slightly better than the September index of 60.2, with survey participants indicating increasing or consistent demand tempered by U.S. economic concerns.   When asked about the outlook for the future, MCI-EFI survey respondent David Schaefer, CEO, […]

NEW YORK, N.Y. — While the construction industry is often associated with cost and schedule problems, little data has been compiled about typical levels of uncertainty, reasons and remedies. McGraw Hill Construction recently released its new SmartMarket Report, Managing Uncertainty and Expectations in Building Design and Construction, which addresses this issue by identifying: Key drivers of uncertainty that create unanticipated quality, cost and schedule problems and how they can be mitigated. Perspectives and expectations of owners, architects and contractors for their own and each other's levels of performance on projects. The most impactful aspects of performance and how they should […]