Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Latest Producer Price Index Figures Show Construction Materials Cost Increases Outstrip Overall PPI; Diesel Fuel and Copper Are the Biggest Problems While Steel Increases Loom Huge jumps in prices for diesel fuel and copper—two key inputs to construction—pinched contractors in November as weak demand for construction forced them to hold down bid prices despite the cost increases, according to an analysis of November producer price index figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Prices for materials used in construction climbed 0.5 percent in November and 4.8 percent over … Read more

Phoenix, Ariz. and Hanford-Corcoran, Calif. Top List of Metro Areas Adding Jobs while Chicago and Napa, Calif. Lose Most Jobs for the YearConstruction employment either increased or remained steady in one-third — 113 of 337 metropolitan areas — between October 2009 and October 2010 according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said construction job gains are becoming more widespread thanks in large part to an increase in power, stimulus and other publicly-funded construction projects. “It looks like the stimulus, military base realignment and power projects have put … Read more

Arizona and Texas Add the Most Construction Jobs, While Florida and Minnesota Lose the Most During the Past Month; Construction Employment Remains Lower in 39 States Compared to Last Year Construction employment expanded in 29 states between September and October, while fewer people are working in construction compared to last year in 39 states, the Associated General Contractors of America reported in an analysis of state employment data released today by the Labor Department. The new figures continue a nearly year-long trend of ups and downs in construction employment as the industry performs stimulus-funded work yet grapples with broad market … Read more

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Latest Producer Price Index Figures Show Nearly 5 Percent Annual Increase in Prices for Construction Materials While Price Index for Finished Buildings Remained Flat Construction contractors continue to be squeezed by rising prices for key construction materials and flat prices for what they can charge for finished projects, according to an analysis of October Producer Price Index figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Prices for materials used in construction jumped by 0.6 percent in October and 4.8 percent over the past 12 months, while the price index … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) recently released its 2011 economic forecast for the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industry. “The period of rapid improvement in spending levels did not begin in 2010, and will not happen in 2011,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “ABC’s forecast of nonresidential construction spending for next year suggests that total spending will be 0.1 percent less than 2010 levels. Privately financed construction levels are projected to decline 0.2 percent while publicly financed construction levels are projected to be virtually flat. The bottom line is the nonresidential construction recession is largely over, … Read more