Economy
-
Data centers, infrastructure prop up construction backlog
Public works and digital infrastructure sustained pipelines as private projects lost momentum over the past year, according to ABC’s backlog report.
By Sebastian Obando • Oct. 15, 2025 -
Data centers, healthcare keep construction planning on track
Early-stage activity climbed again, a signal for stronger groundbreakings next year, according to Dodge Construction Network.
By Sebastian Obando • Oct. 8, 2025 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Permission granted by Associated General Contractors of AmericaTrendlineLabor
A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.
By Construction Dive staff -
Deep Dive
Amid tariff, job and supply concerns, multifamily pros prioritize occupancy
After seeing rents decline for the first summer in 15 years, apartment operators are hesitant to raise prices heading into the colder months.
By Leslie Shaver • Oct. 2, 2025 -
Crane count drops 44% across North American cities
Major markets showed fewer of the hallmarks of building activity for the second consecutive report, according to Rider Levett Bucknall.
By Matthew Thibault • Oct. 1, 2025 -
2026’s top construction conferences
It’s time to plan for the year to come. Construction Dive has you covered with a full list of the industry conferences and expos on tap for 2026.
By Matthew Thibault • Oct. 1, 2025 -
US to begin furniture, wood import tariffs on Oct. 14
An executive order from President Donald Trump installs a 25% tariff on couch, sofa, chair and kitchen cabinet imports and a 10% duty on timber and lumber.
By Philip Neuffer • Sept. 30, 2025 -
Economic Reports
The 9 largest commercial construction starts of August 2025
The pace of groundbreaking growth is beginning to level off, according to Dodge Construction Network.
By Sebastian Obando • Sept. 23, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Private construction steadies, but public abandonments jump
Despite relief in the commercial sector, the Project Stress Index remains higher than a year ago, and projects funded with government money took a worrisome turn.
By Sebastian Obando • Sept. 19, 2025 -
Contractors welcome rate cut, push for more
Firms said the quarter-point reduction will provide a meaningful confidence boost, especially for private projects, though likely won’t boom construction activity.
By Sebastian Obando • Sept. 17, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Backlog slips as small construction firms lose ground
Labor issues and material costs cut into project pipelines for contractors with under $30 million in revenue.
By Sebastian Obando • Sept. 17, 2025 -
Economic Reports
‘There is a limit’: Rising materials costs test construction’s breaking point
Prices for steel, aluminum and other key inputs “rose at an especially rapid pace,” said ABC chief economist.
By Sebastian Obando • Sept. 11, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Construction planning booms, up 51% in 12 months
The Dodge Momentum Index points to “stronger construction activity in late 2026 or early 2027,” said Sarah Martin, associate director of forecasting at Dodge Construction Network.
By Sebastian Obando • Sept. 10, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Construction Dive’s August 2025 economic roundup
Material price escalation and labor issues overshadow an otherwise resilient construction pipeline.
By Sebastian Obando • Sept. 9, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Construction spending slide deepens
“It may be a bleak second half of the year for the construction industry,” said Anirban Basu, ABC chief economist.
By Sebastian Obando • Sept. 3, 2025 -
Economic Reports
The 8 largest commercial construction starts of July 2025
Overall groundbreakings “reversed course in July, offsetting the strong gains made in June,” said the chief economist at Dodge Construction Network.
By Sebastian Obando • Aug. 22, 2025 -
Balfour Beatty profits rise, but US arm struggles
The contractor's U.K. construction segment hit its 3% margin target in the first half of 2025, but its U.S. business languished due to issues at a Texas infrastructure project.
By Matthew Thibault • Aug. 15, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Latest Producer Price Index report offers little relief
Domestic producers are “raising prices in line with the protection tariffs are providing them,” said a construction economist, a move that could further stoke inflation.
By Sebastian Obando • Aug. 15, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Data centers, public works boost backlog, but confidence cracks
About four in five ABC members reported higher material price notices, a factor that cut into contractors’ optimism around sales and profits, according to ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.
By Sebastian Obando • Aug. 13, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Construction stress eases, but contractors remain cautious
Abandonments and delays eased in July, though a “volatile economic environment” lingers, according to ConstructConnect.
By Sebastian Obando • Aug. 12, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Wave of projects lifts construction planning to record high
Notable strength in data center and warehouse activity accounted for the growth as developers absorb tariff-related cost increases, according to Dodge Construction Network.
By Sebastian Obando • Aug. 11, 2025 -
Trump plans 100% tariffs for semiconductor imports
Chips are one of several product types currently under Section 232 investigation by the White House, a frequent precursor to duties.
By Philip Neuffer • Aug. 7, 2025 -
Dominion’s offshore wind project sees slight price hike from tariffs, CEO says
The added expenses will increase customer bills by an average of three cents a month over the entire life of the project, said Bob Blue, Dominion’s president, CEO and chairman.
By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 5, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Construction Dive’s July 2025 economic roundup
The data center boom remains hot but tariffs and labor concerns are casting doubt over the construction outlook.
By Sebastian Obando • Aug. 5, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Nonresidential construction spending slips for sixth time in seven months
AGC officials pointed to ongoing tariff and labor uncertainty as the reason many construction owners may be pulling back on planned projects.
By Sebastian Obando • Aug. 4, 2025 -
Stanley Black & Decker to raise prices again, navigate $800M tariff impact
The world’s largest toolmaker is continuing to tweak its supply chain configurations and move forward with its cost reduction program to improve profitability.
By Nathan Owens • July 31, 2025