‘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

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

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Top 5 stories from Construction Dive

Construction Dive editors curate some of the industry’s top stories from this year.

By Construction Dive staff

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Construction pros react to interest rate decision

The Federal Reserve held rates steady Wednesday afternoon, dashing hopes for a summer cut, but builders are adjusting their strategies to stay on the job.

By Sebastian Obando • July 30, 2025

10 notable factory cancellations or openings in 2025

Ford, JetZero, Hyundai, Texas Instruments and TSMC are among the manufacturers to make facility investment news this year. Meanwhile, other companies with renewable energy projects have halted plans.

By Sakshi Udavant • July 29, 2025

US, EU agree to lower tariffs in ‘framework’ deal

Most imports from the bloc would face a 15% tariff under the pact, U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Sunday.

By Philip Neuffer • July 28, 2025

NAHB: Multifamily completions hit 38-year high

The South accounted for 48% of deliveries in 2024, followed by the West at 27%.

By Leslie Shaver • July 25, 2025

The 9 largest commercial construction starts of June 2025

Certain sectors, such as manufacturing and data centers, fueled a sharp rise in groundbreakings, but contractors remain wary of the second-half outlook.

By Sebastian Obando • July 24, 2025

US hotel room construction hits 20-quarter low

Rooms under construction decreased year over year in June for the sixth consecutive month amid economic uncertainty, according to CoStar.

By Jenna Graber • July 22, 2025

Interest rate fog stalls construction momentum

Elevated borrowing costs and higher input prices have created shaky conditions, spurring more delayed or abandoned projects.

By Sebastian Obando • July 21, 2025

Skanska CEO says its selective strategy reduces risk

The Stockholm-based firm’s success in U.S. construction continues to anchor its success, according to a second quarter earnings report.

By Zachary Phillips • July 21, 2025

Trump officials using building renovation costs to go after Fed chair, WSJ says

High-profile criticism of some $700 million in cost overruns is said to be an effort to pressure Jerome Powell to quit.

By Robert Freedman • July 21, 2025

Construction costs rise as tariff clock ticks

Materials prices climbed again in June, according to the latest Producer Price Index, even without new levies that are set to take effect on Aug. 1.

By Sebastian Obando • July 17, 2025