Construction Unemployment Rates Improve in 38 States Year-Over-Year, ABC Says

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — November not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rates were down in 38 states and the nation on a year-over-year basis, according to an analysis recently released by Associated Builders and Contractors. The rates for two states, Kansas and Texas, were unchanged from November 2015. The national NSA construction unemployment rate of 5.7 percent was down 0.5 percent from a year ago and unchanged from October, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This was the lowest national NSA November construction unemployment rate on record, matching the 5.7 percent rate in November 2005 and November 2000. Meanwhile, … Read more

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Construction Backlog Rebounds in Third Quarter, ABC Says

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WASHINGTON, D.C.–  Construction backlog expanded during the third quarter, led by strong growth in the commercial/industrial sector, according to Associated Builders and Contractors’ recently released Construction Backlog Indicator. The increase during the third quarter follows two quarters of decline in backlog—the amount of work under contract but yet to be performed—that led to speculation that growth in the country’s nonresidential construction industry was slowing. Overall backlog expanded to 8.7 months, up 2 percent from the second quarter and 2.2 percent (0.2 months) on a year-over-year basis. “Despite growing concern that certain commercial segments in a handful of major U.S. cities … Read more

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Construction Input Prices Plummet in November

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Construction input prices experienced their most rapid monthly decline since February 2016 in November, falling 0.5 percent according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite the month-over-month fall, input prices are up by 0.5 percent on a yearly basis for the second consecutive month. Nonresidential input prices fell 0.7 percent for the month but are up 0.4 percent on the year. Crude petroleum, natural gas and unprocessed energy materials prices have all risen significantly since November 2015. Only three key inputs prices—plumbing fixtures and fittings; nonferrous wire and cable and prepared asphalt, tar roofing and siding … Read more

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Construction Industry Alliance Announces New Resources Aimed at Suicide Prevention

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors have made new resources available to its members through its membership in the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention. ABC joined the Construction Financial Management Association-led alliance in October 2016 to help provide resources and disseminate information on suicide prevention and mental health awareness in the construction industry, with a goal of building a zero-suicide industry. A 2016 Centers for Disease Control report showed that construction is one of the most at-risk industries for suicide, with 1,324 of the 12,300 suicides (10.8 percent) studied occurring among individuals who worked in the construction or … Read more

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Construction Unemployment Rates Improve in 33 States Year-Over-Year, ABC Says

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Construction Unemployment Rates Improve in 33 States Year-Over-Year, ABC Says WASHINGTON, D.C. – October not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rates were down in 33 states and the nation on a year-over-year basis, according to a recent release by Associated Builders and Contractors. The national NSA construction unemployment rate of 5.7 percent was down 0.5 percent from a year ago, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This was the lowest national October construction unemployment rate since 2006, when it was 4.5 percent. BLS data also reported that the industry employed 175,000 more people than in October 2015. “October … Read more

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