Federal data shows December decline in construction jobs

Government numbers analyzed by AGC showed a very different result than ADP found in its data – down 16,000 rather than up by 48,000.

By Ron Gallagher • Jan. 10, 2014

Minneapolis building in 2013 reflects the nation: Multifamily rules

The city topped $1 billion in permitted construction for the second year in a row, and as with national numbers, multifamily housing pulled a lot of the weight.

By Ron Gallagher • Jan. 9, 2014

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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

Report: 48,000 construction jobs added in Dec., most since 2006

In its monthly report on hiring in the private sector, the payroll processor said 48,000 new construction jobs were added.

By Ron Gallagher • Jan. 8, 2014

Industry economist's outlook for '14: A little less single-family, more power and manufacturing

Ken Simonson, chief economist for Associated General Contractors, expects opportunities for commercial contractors to be better this year than last while apartments stay hot and single-family cools slightly.

By Ron Gallagher • Jan. 7, 2014

The scrape returns to Southern Calif. as home prices rebound

After a downturn during the recessions years, the tactic of razing little houses to build big ones is reasserting itself.

By Ron Gallagher • Jan. 6, 2014

Equipment lease professionals expect more of the same in 2014

It's not a warning about an economic pullback, but the people who finance equipment leasing by contractors do not expect a breakout year either.

By Ron Gallagher • Jan. 5, 2014

Construction spending up in 12 months ending in November

The total increase was due mostly to residential building, which has been the story all year, but nine of 13 nonresidential categories grew at least a bit.

By Ron Gallagher • Jan. 2, 2014

Construction employment up in many areas, but it's not the old days

Small metros had the biggest percentage increases from November 2012 to November last year, while Atlanta and Los Angeles metros added the most jobs.

By Ron Gallagher • Jan. 1, 2014

The housing market 2014? Probably no leap, no fall either

Housing cannot really boom until there is a much better jobs picture, but this year should look much like 2013 anyway.

By Ron Gallagher • Jan. 1, 2014

Higher ed is cranking up construction in New York City

The city has several large institutions, and it is important to the construction industry when they unleash pent-up demand for new facilities.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 30, 2013

Thanks to China, it's labor — not materials — pushing up construction costs

Analytical firm IHS has found that subcontractor costs are behind the increases.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 22, 2013

November construction starts cannot sustain robust October pace

McGraw-Hill reports that total construction starts last month were down 11% from October, but October was the strongest month of 2013 so far.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 19, 2013

Gilbane economic report sees solid progress in 2014

The commercial contractor's final 2013 look at the U.S. economy predicts builders and contractors will see rising margins in 2014.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 19, 2013

Builders' confidence in the housing market floats up four points

Confidence measured at 58 this month, up four points from November and the seventh consecutive month in positive territory.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 17, 2013

Construction employment behind the curve in economic recovery

Total jobs in the U.S. may be back to a pre-recession level in mid-2014, given recent progress, but construction is far behind that curve.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 16, 2013

La. trims $3.7B from I-49 project, cites lack of 'fairy godmother' funds

The state cannot look to Washington for road funding anymore, the state treasurer says, so its DOT found changes to cut the $5.1 billion plans.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 15, 2013

Construction equipment purchases will decline through 2014, report says

Investment in equipment by all business is expected to rise next year, but construction equipment appears to have had its boom earlier this year.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 15, 2013

Insurer sees continued construction growth if economy cooperates

Euler Hermes, an international insurer, expects home building to keep growing — if loan rates do not jump — as will commercial, but at a slower pace.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 12, 2013

New-home sales slide down as average mortgage amount creeps up

The Mortgage Bankers Association said a survey it conducts found mortgage applications for new single-family homes were down 18% from October to November.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 12, 2013

Minn. governor may propose $975M public construction program

Gov. Mark Dayton is due to send lawmakers a plan next month, and he says he is thinking bigger than before about a program to be financed by borrowing.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 11, 2013

Toll Brothers' report suggests even the well-to-do have a spending limit

The builder of luxury homes had strong revenues for the quarter ended Oct. 31, but sales contracts since then are more than winter would account for.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 10, 2013

Construction adds 17,000 jobs in November

Labor Department figures show that 7,700 of the hires were on the nonresidential side of the industry.

By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 8, 2013

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

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