Economy
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Contractors’ pay strategies hint at stabilizing job market
Salary increases driven by labor shortages and inflation have begun to slow, indicating an easing labor market, according to a recent report from an accounting advisory firm.
By Zachary Phillips • Nov. 5, 2025 -
Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
October data signals boom, bust construction markets
With federal reports on pause amid the government shutdown, private construction indicators showed steady conditions but uneven segment activity.
By Sebastian Obando • Nov. 4, 2025 -
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TrendlineLabor
A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.
By Construction Dive staff -
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AI, data centers add to economic development, experts say
The ongoing demand for data centers and artificial intelligence has created jobs for electrical components manufacturing and construction. Panelists at Nvidia GTC urge lawmakers to reform energy and trade policy to address the growth.
By Sara Samora • Oct. 31, 2025 -
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Fed’s latest cut strengthens construction confidence
Wednesday’s trimming adds to a growing sense of a softer borrowing environment for construction by next year, according to a Fort Myers, Florida-based general contractor.
By Sebastian Obando • Oct. 29, 2025 -
Courtesy of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The 9 largest commercial construction starts of September 2025
Overall nonresidential groundbreakings ticked up during the month and posted a 5% increase year to date through September, according to Dodge Construction Network.
By Sebastian Obando • Oct. 24, 2025 -
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Stress cools across construction, but public work slips
Civil construction abandoned or placed on hold largely stemmed from issues with federal funding, according to ConstructConnect.
By Sebastian Obando • Oct. 22, 2025 -
Samuel Corum/Getty Images via Getty Images
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 -
Courtesy of UM Shore Regional Health
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 -
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Deep DiveAmid 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 -
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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 -
Matthew Thibault/Construction Dive
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 -
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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 -
Courtesy of UM Shore Regional Health
Economic ReportsThe 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 -
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Economic ReportsPrivate 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 -
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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 -
Mario Tama/Getty Images via Getty Images
Economic ReportsBacklog 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 -
Joe Raedle/Getty Images via Getty Images
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 -
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Economic ReportsConstruction 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 -
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Economic ReportsConstruction Dive’s August 2025 economic roundup
Material price escalation and labor issues overshadow an otherwise resilient construction pipeline.
By Sebastian Obando • Sept. 9, 2025 -
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Economic ReportsConstruction 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 -
Courtesy of MLB
Economic ReportsThe 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 -
Courtesy of HS2
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 -
Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
Economic ReportsLatest 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 -
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images via Getty Images
Economic ReportsData 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 -
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
Economic ReportsConstruction 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
