Economy

Construction input prices jump 24%

A new analysis tracks the materials that have skyrocketed the most since last year, including softwood lumber, which is up 154%.

By Jenn Goodman • June 16, 2021

NYC, San Francisco among top 10 global cities with highest pandemic construction costs

Construction should benefit from its strong position coming out of the pandemic, according to the Arcadis 2021 International Construction Cost Index.

By Kim Slowey • June 04, 2021

Sponsored by NCCER

Construction and Coronavirus: the industry 1 year later

As construction continues toward recovery, it is also focusing back on other areas such as workforce development.

By Jonathan Arnholz • May 17, 2021

PPP loan forgiveness not a sure thing

Construction companies that are turned down for forgiveness should be ready to contest the decision, lawyers at a recent webinar said.

By Jeffrey Steele • May 13, 2021

Construction momentum at 12-year high, despite continued challenges

Optimism is surging for next year's construction projects, according to Dodge Data & Analytics, but unemployment benefits are keeping workers away.

By Joe Bousquin • May 11, 2021

PPP runs out of funds for most lenders

The cutoff comes nearly four weeks before the Paycheck Protection Program was slated to end. 

By Dan Ennis • May 07, 2021

The 12 most expensive US cities for construction

A new analysis by project management firm Cumming details the most expensive cities in which to build and the types of projects that cost the most.

By Jenn Goodman • April 16, 2021

Briq launches first payment, rewards card for construction

BriqCash lets contractors automate invoice processing, manage vendors and make direct payments that earn cash back and rewards.

By Jenn Goodman • April 14, 2021

Deep Dive

Soaring material prices, supply chain delays spook owners and developers

The rising cost of many materials and increased sourcing headaches have project owners rethinking their return to normalcy and threaten to derail construction's expected resurgence.

By Joe Bousquin • April 12, 2021

Roadblocks to Recovery: The factors that could slow construction's comeback from COVID-19

Escalating labor costs, rising material prices and nervous clients could all stand in the way of construction's return to normalcy. Here Construction Dive tracks the factors that could slow the industry's return to normalcy.

Walsh indicates support for minimum wage hike, collective bargaining

In interviews last week, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh took worker-first positions on wages and the right to organize.

By Joe Bousquin • April 06, 2021

In first week, Walsh talks about unions, jobsite inspectors, COVID-19 standard

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh discussed several issues of importance to U.S. contractors in his first days on the job.

By Joe Bousquin • March 29, 2021

Construction will face a labor gap of 430K workers this year, ABC says

U.S. construction companies will need to hire at least 430,000 and as many as 1 million workers this year, according to Associated Builders and Contractors. 

By Jenn Goodman • March 26, 2021

Senate passes bill extending PPP deadline to May 31

The bill, which extends the deadline for Paycheck Protection Program applications for another two months, awaits President Joe Biden's signature.

By Anna Hrushka • March 26, 2021

Contractors' revenue expectations rise

While construction pros are feeling more optimistic than they were a year ago, concerns over labor, material costs and steel tariffs linger, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

By Jenn Goodman • March 23, 2021

Sponsored by Merchants Bonding Company

All surety is not alike: proactive claims team provides big benefits

One change order dispute can jeopardize multiple projects without the RIGHT surety in your corner. 

By Gina Lockwood, Director of Claims, Merchants Bonding Company • March 22, 2021

Lawmakers introduce plan to extend PPP deadline to May 31

Small businesses will have two additional months to submit an application for a Paycheck Protection Program loan under the bill, and the Small Business Administration will have until June 30 to close pending applications.

By Anna Hrushka • March 15, 2021

Construction employment falls nearly 7% year over year

While last month's severe weather in the South may have played a role in some job losses, economists are divided over whether the decline signals more serious problems ahead.

By Jenn Goodman • March 08, 2021

Buttigieg says infrastructure faces a 'once-in-a-lifetime moment' as bridges, roads get C- grade

Speaking at the unveiling of the American Society of Civil Engineers' infrastructure report card yesterday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said now is the time to fix America’s crumbling infrastructure.

By Joe Bousquin • March 04, 2021

Despite 2020 layoffs, construction's labor woes persist

As the construction industry begins to recover from the pandemic, labor is getting harder to find and more expensive, a new analysis shows.

By Jenn Goodman • March 04, 2021

Amazon Fresh builds its 10th store

The grocer has reached the 10-store milestone in just over five months with many more locations on the way.

By Jeff Wells • March 03, 2021

Biden calls union reps 'real friends,' seeks their infrastructure input

The president yesterday met with the leaders of several construction-related unions, nominated a new head of the National Labor Relations Board and bolstered his apprenticeship initiative. 

By Joe Bousquin • Feb. 18, 2021

Construction firms nab $13.7B total in PPP loans so far this year

The industry is second in total 2021 Paycheck Protection Program amounts after the restaurant and hotel category.

By Jenn Goodman • Feb. 16, 2021

5 creative ways malls are repurposing their spaces

With lots of square footage and plenty of parking, shopping centers are rethinking ways to give their centralized locations new life. 

By Kaarin Vembar • Feb. 16, 2021

Report: Most construction ESOPs not significantly impacted by pandemic

In a survey, 68% of construction firms with employee stock ownership plans reported their sustainability, cash flow and liquidity were not greatly affected, but 50% said 2020 profits took a hit.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 12, 2021