Economy

Calm before the storm? What the construction industry can expect in 2019

Recession may hold off another year, economists say, but contractors should still keep an eye on risks and strategize around labor to prepare for the worst.

By Kathleen Brown • Nov. 02, 2018
Specialty contractors market 'hot,' says ENR

Last year's revenue for mechanical, electrical, utility and other subcontractors was up 10%, marking the seventh consecutive year of increased earnings, which should last at least another 12 to 18 months.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 30, 2018
Moody's economist: 9 months of growth ahead, then 'garden-variety' recession

The U.S. economy could be in its longest-ever expansion, said Moody's Analytics Senior Director Cristian deRitis at a conference last week, which could create some imbalances that may then necessitate a mild downturn.

By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 30, 2018
Dodge: 2019 construction starts to hold steady at $808B

Activity appears to be "rounding the peak" at its current level, helped by overall economic momentum but threatened by rising inflation, Dodge Data & Analytics Chief Economist Robert Murray said at a conference yesterday.

By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 26, 2018
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How seasoned construction pros handle the cost of scaling up

An upturn in home-buying and commercial development is a boon for the construction industry, but the pressure to grow can squeeze construction companies grappling with cash flow, expenses and expansion.
Dodge: Value of September construction starts falls 5%

Despite major fluctuations like the 38% drop in office construction and 36% surge in manufacturing, chief economist Robert A. Murray said starts are settling back to last year's levels.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 19, 2018
How the midterm elections will impact the construction industry

The course of infrastructure funding, immigration policy, the U.S.-Mexico border wall and local mega-projects could be decided by which Congressional and gubernatorial candidates win in November.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 18, 2018
Fluor stock falls 17% on disappointing Q3 revenue estimates

The firm said that multimillion-dollar charges on two troubled projects put a dent in its projected third-quarter revenue, which falls short of analysts' forecasts.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 12, 2018
Covestro announces EU1.5B investment in Houston-area plant

The German polymer supplier chose to expand its Baytown, Texas, site — which already employs 1,000 — due to the area's low costs and existing infrastructure.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 12, 2018
Report: International construction market output to hit $13 trillion by 2022

Potential global headwinds include fallout from the U.S.-China trade war and increased borrowing costs, although interest rates are still near all-time lows in many parts of the world.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 11, 2018
AGC: Hourly construction wages exceed $30 for first time ever

Wages are 10.7% higher than the average for private nonfarm earners, but still might not be enough to lure workers and adequately staff projects, experts say.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 10, 2018
What you need to know about HR and recruiting in construction

Construction Dive takes an in-depth look at the industry's labor shortage and best practices for recruiting and retaining talent.

By Construction Dive Editors
Deep Dive
How to protect and retain immigrant workers

Awaiting President Donald Trump's next policy move, construction executives underscore the economic contributions of foreign-born workers, who make up 25% of the workforce, while unions and others call for better safeguards against wage theft and jobsite injury.

By Kathleen Brown • Sept. 24, 2018
What you need to know about talent management

The most underestimated tool in the HR toolbox may be your front-line managers — and forward thinking HR pros are making manager development a key part of their business strategy.

By Kathryn Moody
How states are tackling the labor shortage

From Oregon to Virginia, coalitions, programs and more are targeting students and educators with a message that the trades are viable career pathways.

By Laurie Cowin • Sept. 24, 2018
Technology can ease the labor shortage, survey says

Not only can technology increase productivity and profitability, it also can attract talent and help retain younger workers, a recent Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk report showed.

By Laurie Cowin • Sept. 12, 2018
Sponsored
How seasoned construction pros handle the cost of scaling up

An upturn in home-buying and commercial development is a boon for the construction industry, but the pressure to grow can squeeze construction companies grappling with cash flow, expenses and expansion.
AGC-Autodesk survey: Labor shortage has industry at a 'tipping point'

With the "significant and widespread" problem delaying projects and increasing construction costs, the "time to act is now."

By Laurie Cowin • Aug. 31, 2018
Tariffs rain on Seattle's building boom

The extra duties on steel and aluminum are forcing developers in several other markets as well to expand their budgets, according to a large construction firm's cost index tracker.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 27, 2018
Dodge: July construction starts down 9%

It's a significant drop from June, when several large projects buoyed nonresidential activity to a 2018 high that an analyst called unsustainable.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 23, 2018
Dodge: 2018 so far a mixed bag for commercial, multifamily starts

A robust multifamily market, which balanced an almost equal downturn on the commercial side, helped prop up overall starts in the first six months of 2018.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 13, 2018
AIA predicts nonresidential spending growth through 2019

The Consensus Construction Forecast Panel said spending in the commercial/industrial sector will outpace institutional outlays by 2.2% in 2018, but that institutional will take the lead in 2019.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 10, 2018
St. Louis sees a $750M hotel construction boom

The growth is being driven by demand from the city's burgeoning tech industry and a desire to draw in more convention business.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 06, 2018
Tech still not on minds of many CEOs, survey shows

Construction executives' bearish take on technology will continue in the coming year, according to Vistage's Q2 2018 CEO Confidence Index Survey.

By Joe Beeton • Aug. 01, 2018
Dodge: High-rise construction ebbs, flows with economy

From 2013 through 2017, only 10 cities saw 50 or more 10-story-plus buildings break ground, with New York City leading and Miami at a distant second.

By Kim Slowey • July 31, 2018