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

Explore the Trendline➔

Labor

A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.

By Construction Dive staff

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

Barometer of planned nonresidential work hits best mark since 2010

The Dodge Momentum Index compiled by McGraw-Hill Construction looks at the first reports of projects and was at 97.6 in January – with the year 2000 as the 100 marker.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 7, 2013

Builders confident that people over 55 will keep buying

It's not a tidal wave of confidence, but home-builders' confidence in the single-family market for people over 55 keeps rising.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 7, 2013

Who will pay for paving the way for fuel-efficient cars?

Higher and higher mileage standards are good for consumers and the environment, but they bring wear and tear on highway budgets as fuel-based revenues sag.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 6, 2013

Building owners, managers OK with energy monitoring – if it's uniform

Benchmarking energy usage benefits the people who pay the bills, but owners and operators are not happy about governments efforts to collect and release the data.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 6, 2013

Sandy relief law boosted transportation over original proposal

The final form of relief for areas damaged by superstorm Sandy allocates $1 billion for road transportation work that was not in the original.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 5, 2013

Court-based foreclosure states slow the market-clearing process

States in which foreclosures have to go through a judicial process cannot process the homes as quickly as others, keeping a logjam from breaking loose.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 4, 2013

Housing growth will go on, despite direct and indirect challenges

Housing is expected to continue its recovery through 2013, but not without challenges such as materials price increases and uncertainty about government economic decisions.

By Ron Gallagher • Feb. 4, 2013