Uneven Growth Persists Across Nonresidential Construction as Economic Uncertainty Lingers

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The nonresidential construction market continued to face headwinds during the first five months of 2026 as spending fell 7 percent in nominal dollars compared to the same period a year earlier. Reflecting this softer market performance, the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel lowered its 2026 projection from a 1.0 percent increase in spending, forecast in January, to a 0.3 percent decline. Despite near-term challenges, panelists expressed greater confidence in a rebound next year, increasing their 2027 spending forecast from 2.2 percent to 3.0 percent. Manufacturing construction experienced the most significant downward revision in the current forecast. Spending in the sector … Read more

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ABC: Nonresidential Construction Adds 11,300 Jobs in May

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The construction industry added 4,000 jobs on net in May, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has increased by 126,000 jobs, an increase of 1.5%. Nonresidential construction employment increased by 11,300 positions, with growth in all three subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added the most jobs, increasing by 4,500 positions, while heavy and civil engineering and nonresidential building added 3,700 and 3,100 jobs, respectively. The construction unemployment rate decreased to 3.5% in May. Unemployment across all industries remained unchanged at 4.2%. “The nonresidential … Read more

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Nonresidential Construction Employment Increases, Says ABC

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The construction industry added 23,000 jobs on net in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has increased by 219,000 jobs, an increase of 2.8%.  Nonresidential construction employment increased by 8,400 positions on net, with growth in all three subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added 4,200 positions, while nonresidential building and heavy and civil engineering added 2,600 and 1,600 jobs, respectively. The construction unemployment rate increased to 4% in October. Unemployment across all industries increased from 3.8% in September to 3.9% last month.

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Nonresidential Construction Spending Down 1% in March

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National nonresidential construction spending was down 0.8% in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $839.2 billion for the month. Spending was down on a monthly basis in 11 of 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending was down 1.2%, while public nonresidential construction spending was down 0.3% in March. On a year-over-year basis, nonresidential construction spending is up 5.6%, led by 31.9% growth in construction related to manufacturing. “March’s construction spending numbers aren’t adjusted for inflation and are actually worse than … Read more

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Input Prices for Nonresidential Construction Climb 21% between March 2021, March 2022

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Prices of materials and services used in new nonresidential construction jumped more than 21% from March 2021 to March 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. “Construction firms have been burdened with cost increases of 20% per year or more since early 2021,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Since contractors can seldom pass along increases on projects that are underway, these extreme price hikes threaten the viability of many firms. Unfortunately, the continuing war in Ukraine is likely to keep input costs elevated for many more months, if not longer.” … Read more

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