Dodge Construction Network: Construction Starts Drop 7% in October

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Total construction starts fell 7% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.1 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonbuilding and residential starts fell 32% and 1%, respectively. Conversely, nonresidential building starts gained 8% during the month. Year-to-date through October 2023, total construction starts were 4% below that of 2022. Residential and nonresidential starts were down 15% and 7%, respectively; however, nonbuilding starts were up 20%. For the 12 months ending October 2023, total construction starts were down 1%. Nonbuilding starts were 22% higher, and nonresidential building starts gained 1%. On a 12-month rolling basis, residential starts posted … Read more

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New Study Looks at General Contractor Use of Site Data as Analytical Tool to Improve Performance

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A new study from Dodge Construction Network and Versatile reveals that greater use of site data as an analytical tool allows contractors to surmount challenges. The new report, Measuring What Matters: Unleashing the Power of Site Data to Enhance Construction Performance SmartMarket Report, is based on a recent Dodge survey of over 200 general contractors across the United States. The findings show that most report significant performance improvements from their use of site data. Those who use automated technology to gather data and software to analyze it report above-average improvements compared with those still using manual methods. Although the tools … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Recedes 1%

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The Dodge Momentum Index, issued by Dodge Construction Network, declined .9% in July to 193.4 (2000=100) from the revised June reading of 195.1. Over the month, the commercial component of the DMI remained relatively flat, ticking down .2%, while the institutional component fell 1.9%. All commercial sectors pulled back, or remained flat, over the month of July. Hotel planning saw the largest month-over-month decay, marking four months of consecutive decline in the sector. July also saw a deceleration in the number of education and healthcare projects entering planning — the two largest institutional segments. While two sizable public projects entered … Read more

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Study Shows Significant Benefits for General Contractors Utilizing Technology to Manage Subcontractors

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A new study from Dodge Construction Network, in partnership with GCPay, reveals that only one in three (34%) of general contractors automate fewer than half of their subcontractor management processes. The report details data-based benefits of greater automation and digital transformation by general contractors, including increased productivity, profitability and cost performance. Most general contractors rely on subcontractors to generate successful projects, making managing subcontractors vital to their business. Many general contractors are also experienced in utilizing digital tools for these processes; however, as the Optimizing Subcontractor Management with Technology SmartMarket Brief reveals, many general contractors rely on a proliferation of older solutions, making integrating … Read more

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How Civil Contractors Are Managing the Biggest Challenges They Confront

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The latest edition of The Civil Quarterly from Dodge Construction Network shows that despite ongoing labor issues, business conditions are still very strong for civil contractors, with 77% optimistic about the market continuing to be robust for the remainder of 2023, and 46% expecting to see their profit margins increase in the next six months. However, the strong construction market can also exacerbate civil contractor’s ongoing challenges, such as skilled worker shortages and supply chain challenges. This edition of the TCQ offers new data that reveals how contractors are managing these challenges, including how they are attempting to use technology … Read more

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