U.S. construction backlog down slightly, but regions vary widely

For the first quarter, the national backlog of work slipped from 8 months in the last quarter of 2012 year to 7.9 months in the first quarter of this year.

By Ron Gallagher • May 21, 2013

Better to invest in homes or stocks? Depends on how you measure it

How good a case can be made for the value of investing in a home depends partly on the ruler you use to measure it.

By Ron Gallagher • May 20, 2013

Explore the Trendline➔

Labor

A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.

By Construction Dive staff

Construction jobs slip in 32 states

The new reflects the uneven nature of the recovery in the construction industry.

By Ron Gallagher • May 17, 2013

In some markets, single-family building starts are up as foreclosure starts fall

There is good news for home builders in RealtyTrac data that show housing starts rose nationally by the same margin that foreclosure starts fell in the first quarter of the year.

By Ron Gallagher • May 16, 2013

Steady national materials prices may obscure volatility for contractors

The wide calculation of prices for construction materials taken together looks pretty steady, but price volatility is rising because of global economic conditions.

By Ron Gallagher • May 15, 2013

Builder confidence rises towards tipping point

Wells Fargo and the National Association of Home Builders' index rose back up to 44 this month, but 50 is the target.

By Ron Gallagher • May 15, 2013

The 10 best—and worst—states for construction jobs

A 12-month comparison found the 10 largest increases and 10 steepest declines in construction employment between March 2012 and March 2013.

By Ron Gallagher • May 14, 2013

Builders' forecast: Good things to come from 55+ single-family buyers

The National Association of Home Builders' confidence index for the market segment is rising.

By Ron Gallagher • May 12, 2013

Looking for a construction job? Head west!

According to Department of Labor numbers, the five states adding the most construction jobs are all west of the Mississippi river.

By Sean Griffey • May 10, 2013

Why are builders turning down business?

Builders and subcontractors they rely on are having to say no to business they wish they could say yes to.

By Ryan Willumson • May 10, 2013

California home builders can't find enough workers

Years after the housing bust, home builders are now struggling to hire skilled workers

By Sean Griffey • May 9, 2013

Fannie Mae: Housing starts to return to 'normal' by 2016, but not jobs

Number-crunchers at Fannie Mae predict housing starts to return to pre-bust levels in 2016.

By Ron Gallagher • May 7, 2013

Economy Watch: Mortgage Delinquencies Continue to Edge Down

Lender Processing Services said that 6.59 percent of U.S. residential mortgages were delinquent in March, down from 6.8 percent in February.

May 7, 2013

Economist eyes three engines driving construction growth

Associated General Contractors Chief Economist Ken Simonson believes housing, the Panama Canal and shale gas will carry construction in the near future. 

By Ron Gallagher • May 6, 2013

GSA approves LEED as its rating system of choice

A panel appointed to evaluate green building systems for the General Services Administration says the agency should stick with LEED.

By Ron Gallagher • May 3, 2013

ASEAN Infrastructure Spending To Top $500B by 2020

Economic growth in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia will remain strong at an average 6% this year, reports the IMF.

May 3, 2013

Construction unemployment rate lowest in five years

The number of people employed in construction in April iss 2.7% over a year ago.

By Ron Gallagher • May 3, 2013

More buyers, less sellers: Housing is hot, but how long will it last?

For now, it appears that the demand for housing remains ahead of supply.

By Ron Gallagher • May 3, 2013

Group offers 'dollars-and-sense' analysis of why to spend on transportation

ARTBA looked at the economic effects of spending for transportation construction in the U.S., finding a large economic gain.

By Ron Gallagher • April 30, 2013

Construction wages likely to rise faster in coming years

Industry unemployment notwithstanding, builders and contractors should expect wages and other worker expenses to go up by about 3% this year and perhaps 4% in 2014.

By Ron Gallagher • April 30, 2013

Congress slashes construction funds to pass FAA furloughs bill

How will the construction industry react to the news?

By Ron Gallagher • April 29, 2013

Studies suggest energy efficiency should factor into mortgage decisions

The reports show that defaults are lower for efficient homes and the savings in energy consumption could be $10 billion.

By Ron Gallagher • April 29, 2013

Nonresidential building is left behind in Q1 growth news

Overall first-quarter growth sounded good, but it's not coming from investment in nonresidential structures.

By Ron Gallagher • April 28, 2013

Most Read Construction News of the Week: Green homes and DPR

Start your weekend off on the right foot and catch up on Construction Dive's most popular news posts.

By Brian Warmoth • April 25, 2013

Builders' worries over soaring supply costs dampen excitement

Rising materials costs are pushing up home prices, but is it a good thing?

By Ron Gallagher • April 25, 2013