Each Monday, we'll let you know what's coming in the week ahead, including important economic report releases, as well as our feature articles. We'll add links to the stories as we post them throughout the week.
Housing Market Index — Monday, Sept. 18
Builder confidence in the market for single-family construction has climbed in the past year. However, recent months have shown volatility in the key marker kept by the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo due largely to a shortage of labor and rising material prices. The two groups release their Housing Market Index for September on Monday, Sept. 18, offering more details on the shape of the industry heading into the fall. Read more.
The Dotted Line: Understanding IDIQ contracts — Tuesday, Sept. 19
The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracting vehicle allows government agencies and contractors to lock in prices early in a project and benefit from the certainty of a long-term relationship. In our feature article on Tuesday, Sept. 19, we’ll take a look at how the IDIQ process works in practice, including the pros and cons of such an arrangement. Read more.
Architecture Billings Index — Wednesday, Sept. 20
Demand for design services has trended upward since the start of the year, though the index kept by the American Institute of Architects has shown drastic swings from month-to-month. On Wednesday, Sept. 20, the AIA will release its billings report for August, serving as an indicator for construction activity with a nine- to 12-month lead time. See the month's figures.
How to convert your job site to the cloud — Thursday, Sept. 21
The cloud has changed the way businesses store and transmit information, and the construction industry is no exception. In our feature article on Thursday, Sept. 21, we'll explore how contractors can benefit from working in the cloud without sacrificing information security. See how here.