Dive summary:

• As commercial contractors and especially home builders get into the swing of a slow but ongoing recovery, the companies that rent tools and equipment to them are feeling good about their future, according to that industry's latest report.
• The ARA Rental Market Monitor predicts that rental revenues this year will be 7.0% higher than last year and that they will grow 9.2% and 12.9% in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
• While a lot of the growth is thanks to construction, the report also noted that consumer spending is rising, and equipment rented for recreation and parties is contributing some of that increase.

From the article:

“Though real nonresidential construction is forecast to decline 0.8%, real residential construction is expected to grow 8.2%, yielding an overall real construction growth rate of 2.6% in 2013. Real consumer spending is projected to increase 1.9% in 2013, with spending on recreational services forecast to grow 1.3%.  ..."