As buildings lose 42% of energy, DOE invests $9M in efficiency research

The energy used in buildings has been falling on a per-capita basis since 2007, but the U.S. Department of Energy is funding work to find ways to keep pushing it down.

By Ron Gallagher • March 1, 2013

GSA wants feedback on which green-building rating system to use

A mandatory review is under way by the General Services Administration of whether LEED still works best for the government to build green or if its choice of Green Globes is right.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 28, 2013

Contractors voice concerns over worker shortages, immigration focus

Associated Builders and Contractors members and some of their customers are concerned that a recovery in construction will be hampered by a shortage of skilled and unskilled workers.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 27, 2013

Existing-home sales up in January — do builders benefit?

Realtors report that demand for existing homes is growing faster than they are coming to market.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 24, 2013

In R.I., there's a chance to have a 19th-century home by living at the mall

The nation's first indoor shopping mall – built in 1828 – fell victim to the 21st-century recession, but it's being reborn as mostly tiny apartments above small shops.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 21, 2013

Housing starts down, but builders say single-family is strong and permits are up

January federal data for housing starts shows the total fell 8.5% from December's pace, but the National Association of Home Builders lays that to normal multifamily volatility, not weakness.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 21, 2013

If you're going to build it, what will make home buyers come?

Data from the National Association of Home Builders illustrates what a recession-stressed home buyer does and doesn't want.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 20, 2013

Architects' billings, a leading indicator for construction, jump in January

The Architecture Billings Index compiled by the profession's national organization, is looked as good as it has in over five years.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 20, 2013

Rising materials prices in Jan. outpaced falling ones for 0.7% net increase

Construction materials pulling prices up out-muscled those pulling the average down last month for a net rise of 0.7%.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 20, 2013

Commercial construction outlook: Better flat than backsliding

The backlog of signed commercial construction deals stuck at eight months from the third to the fourth quarters of 2012, and ABC expects that to remain the same through the first part of this year.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 19, 2013

Analysts see many real house-price recoveries, but some states worry

Capital Economics, an analytical firm, says several states are having sustainable recoveries, but a few and the District of Columbia look overvalued.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 18, 2013

Big name backing big project brings approval in Michigan

Knowing the pain of disinvestment and downturn all too well, Michigan has approved a proposal by a group of investors that includes native son Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 15, 2013

The big mo is behind U.S. motels

There appears to be no doubt among hotel investors that the industry has a bright U.S. future.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 15, 2013

Most Read Construction News of the Week: Labor, Obama and Lumber

Feel like you fell behind on the construction news this week? Get up to date with our recent popular reads.

By Brian Warmoth • Feb. 15, 2013

Obama calls for public-private push to upgrade roads, bridges, schools

Contractors may benefit if Congress agrees with a program of public-private partnerships for infrastructure improvements that President Obama suggested.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 13, 2013

Index for nonresidential construction rises based on industry interviews

An index compiled by consulting firm FMI is at 58.1 for the first quarter of the year, up from 2012's closing quarter.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 13, 2013

States' transportation building rose slightly in 2012

States spent a little more on transportation construction in 2012 than the year before, but transport construction overall continued to decline as a part of the nation's total.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 12, 2013

Tilt-Up Concrete Assn. touts products' ability to help meet energy code

The trade group says it can be a resource for design professionals and others looking for ways to comply with the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 12, 2013

84 Lumber urges builders to 'Build American'

The supplier is urging builders to subscribe to its "We Build American" campaign to source materials domestically for little more cost and a lot of benefit.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 11, 2013

Labor shortages may lead to more modular elements in home-building

Manufacturers of modular homes suspect that more builders may come their way if demand rises as projected and labor shortages grow.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 11, 2013

Builders seeking financing need to see themselves through lenders' eyes

A consultant who has worked for builders says getting financing is about how lenders see builders, not how builders see themselves.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 11, 2013

30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Continue to Rise

SEATTLE-The rate for a 15-year fixed home loan is currently 2.7%, while the rate for a 5-1 adjustable-rate mortgage is 2.35%, says Zillow.

Feb. 11, 2013

Downside of an improving economy is workers looking elsewhere

Workers lose their patience with belt-tightening when they perceive that they have options in a very, so employers have to act.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 10, 2013

U.S. transportation infrastructure accounts are in shallow water, report says

The highway and transportation funds will hold up through 2014, but then obligations begin to outdistance resources, the Congressional Budget Office says.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 8, 2013

Calif. housing market is seeing lots more cash than it did in the past

To paraphrase an old slogan used by a soft drink born on the other coast of the U.S., nothing refreshes like cash.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 7, 2013