W. P. Carey to Develop Build-to-Suit Office Facility in Germany for $65M

By Barbra Murray, Contributing Editor W.P. Carey has expanded its presence in Europe for the second time in a month. The REIT just announced a build-to-suit contract for a new office property to be occupied by Banco Santander S.A. in Monchengladbach, Germany. The Class A building will cost $65 mi...

Dec. 6, 2013

Nationally, housing market is at 86% of 'normal,' latest survey finds

The latest installment of the monthly National Association of Home Builders/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI) shows smaller markets leading the way.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 5, 2013

Explore the Trendline➔

Labor

A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.

By Construction Dive staff

Index for nonresidential work: Down in Q4, but up from 2012

Consultant FMI compiles the index from industry interviews, and one thing the authors are not buying is anything about construction just "taking a breather" after growth.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 5, 2013

25% October jump puts new-home sales pace back on track

September sales were down, but October jumped 25.4% and put the annual sales pace back on its path from earlier this year.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 4, 2013

The latest report on nonresidential spending isn't all bad

Federal numbers showed spending down 1.3% in September and up 1.6% in October, which ABC said shows that the sector might get back "a certain degree" of upward momentum next year.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 3, 2013

2014 Equipment Forecast: Mixed Growth Dampens New Machine Sales

As was the case this year, rental companies and dealers will continue to drive much of the sales of new heavy machinery, analysts say.

Dec. 3, 2013

Oct. construction spending jumps on rare opening of public purse

Public-sector projects were up 3.9% from September, and the climb covered for decreases in private-sector outlays for residential and nonresidential projects.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 2, 2013

Realtors: Pending home sales index slipped in October

The National Association of Realtors said contract activity captured in its index of pending home sales was down in October, possibly because of the government shutdown.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 26, 2013

ARTBA: Bumpy road ahead for 2014 highway construction spending

Though overall transportation investment should rise 5% next year, the builders group expects paving work to be up in 19 states, down in 20 and flat in 11.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 26, 2013

National construction cost index records 'up' for 22nd month

The Engineering and Construction Cost Index (ECCI), compiled by IHS Inc.and the Procurement Executives Group, went above its 50 mark in January 2012 and hasn't looked back.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 26, 2013

No September, October home-construction data from Washington yet

Dec. 18, not Nov. 26, is now the date when the U.S. Commerce Department thinks it can have data about housing starts and completions for October ready.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 25, 2013

Getting vacant houses onto the market will help building recovery

Buyers are seeing tight inventories in many areas because vacant homes are going on the market slowly, and that gives builders reason to go slow themselves.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 25, 2013

Realtors: U.S. needs more houses to sell

As existing-home sales fell, the National Association of Realtors said the U.S. market needs builders to create more inventory to reduce upward price pressure.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 21, 2013

Broad materials price index for October down from 2012

Prices for lumber, concrete products and fabricated structural metal products still rose.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 21, 2013

Mass. development hits brakes for redesign as construction costs rise

The proposed 15-story high-rise in Quincy has already become a six-story mid-rise.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 20, 2013

Big projects kick Oct. construction starts up 5%

The value of construction begun last month hit an annual pace of $585.6 billion, but McGraw-Hill Construction attributed some of the jump to one-time starts.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 20, 2013

Third-quarter construction backlog mostly holds steady

Associated Builders and Contractors' average backlog of work for all nonresidential construction held fast at 8.2 months from the second quarter to the third, but some sectors were up and others continued to decline.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 19, 2013

NAHB: Home builders optimistic despite the government

The National Association of Home Builders' monthly survey showed builders holding out hope despite uncertainties.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 18, 2013

Despite recovery, construction's 'good old days' not expected

Business is certainly better than in the post-bubble years, but no one who writes insurance policies for the new buildings is expecting the old days to return.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 18, 2013

Affordability of U.S. homes slips in 3rd quarter

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) for July through September shows a smaller percentage of Americans can afford to own homes.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 14, 2013

Contractor predicts rise in commercial projects in 2014

Englewood Construction's "Hard Hat Chat" sees an especially bright year for mixed-use projects.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 12, 2013

Nonresidential index down in October, but still up for the year

The Dodge Momentum Index fell nine-tenths of a point in October, but at 115.3, it was still almost 25 points ahead of the 2012 close.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 12, 2013

JLL: Diversity and less residential focus drive commercial comeback

Jones Lang LaSalle says in its latest "Construction Outlook" that there are four trends in the recovery of the commercial construction sector.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 12, 2013

FMI: Construction to grow faster than GDP in 2014

Residential construction in particular will see the largest amount of growth.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 10, 2013

Construction sector up 11,000 jobs; unemployment drops to 9%

The industry had 5.834 million people at work last month, but unemployment is falling faster than jobs grow.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 8, 2013