Economy: Page 2

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    Economic Reports

    Turner’s cost index continues to rise

    Though improving supply chains have helped ease the pace of increases, labor rates pressure contractors.

    By • July 31, 2023
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    goncharovaia via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Recessionary conditions likely in next year

    Weakening global and national economies, mixed with high borrowing costs and excess inflation, are poking holes in construction’s outlook, said Associated Builders and Contractors’ chief economist.

    By • July 27, 2023
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Construction Dive

    Construction Dive editors curate some of the industry’s top stories from this year.

    By Construction Dive staff
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    photosvit via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Spending likely to slump in rest of year

    AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker talked about private construction activity, nonresidential spending and financial headwinds.

    By • July 25, 2023
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    Retrieved from Buffalo Bills on January 25, 2023
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    Economic Reports

    Construction starts continue volatile ride, ‘up one month and down the next’

    Choppy conditions will persist due to high interest rates and tightening lending standards, said Richard Branch, chief economist for Dodge Construction Network.

    By • July 24, 2023
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    Permission granted by Skanska
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    Skanska reports record backlog, Q2 profit drop

    On the back of infrastructure jobs, Skanska has added to its contracted work even as it weathers a weaker leasing market.

    By • July 21, 2023
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    ewg3D via Getty Images
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    Rent growth drops to lowest non-pandemic rate since 2011

    Asking rents are still on the rise, both for conventional multifamily and for single-family build-to-rent properties, according to a new report.

    By Mary Salmonsen • July 21, 2023
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    Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press/AP

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    Canadian wildfires raised air pollution. Lumber prices could be next.

    Historic fires are blazing through the provinces of Alberta and Quebec, dealing a blow to the country’s softwood lumber production.

    By • July 17, 2023
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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Inflation cools, but material prices remain high

    Despite easing conditions, headwinds still hamper construction activity, according to a new report.

    By • July 14, 2023
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    ABC members pour $1.5B into upskilling

    2022 continued an investment trend in training and education, but the employer group said there’s more work to be done.

    By • July 14, 2023
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    Readers Respond: How contractors deal with sticker shock

    Respondents to a recent Construction Dive survey said they are combating the high price of building materials with a variety of tactics.

    By • July 14, 2023
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    Economic Reports

    Construction backlog holds steady on infrastructure tailwinds

    While pending projects in the commercial and industrial sectors dropped, upcoming civil works jobs hit their highest level in two years. 

    By • July 12, 2023
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    Martin Barraud via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction planning falls for fourth straight month

    While commercial activity saw an uptick due to data center and hotel projects, a decline in education and healthcare proposals dragged a key index down.

    By • July 12, 2023
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    Drazen_ via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    5 factors that can make your construction risk register obsolete

    Contractors should recalibrate risk to account for today’s challenges in order to mitigate disputes and potential litigation.

    By James Gallagher • July 11, 2023
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    Courtesy of Associated Builders and Contractors
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    Economic Reports

    Nonresidential construction spending shrinks for first time in 11 months

    While year-over-year spending remains positive, segments such as commercial construction and infrastructure posted declines in May.

    By • July 5, 2023
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    goncharovaia via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Construction expert predicts flat material prices for second half of year

    Labor shortages, a manufacturing boom and infrastructure work are keeping the industry from returning to pre-pandemic price levels.

    By • June 29, 2023
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    iStock/Getty via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Midyear check-in: How’s your construction firm doing?

    At the halfway point of 2023, UBS financial advisor Jason Lowy says that construction leaders should assess their year-end goals.

    By Jason Lowy • June 29, 2023
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    Q&A

    Industrial construction is ‘cooling in some markets’

    Kyle Roberts, executive managing director at Newmark, talks with Construction Dive about an industrial construction slowdown.

    By • June 21, 2023
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    Drazen_ via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Public projects surge, private starts falter

    Commercial and apartment construction are feeling the weight of higher interest rates, tighter lending and lower demand, as jobs tied to public funding jumped, Dodge said.

    By • June 21, 2023
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    Eric Kayne via Getty Images
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    How 5 new Texas laws will impact construction

    These bills from the latest legislative session nix water breaks for workers, allow third-party permitting and fund water infrastructure.

    By • June 20, 2023
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    Permission granted by Associated Builders and Contractors
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    Economic Reports

    Construction prices fall for third straight month, but inflation persists

    Despite pricing declines for some materials, megaprojects in progress across the country will keep the costs of key construction supplies elevated, an economist said.

    By • June 15, 2023
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    Amazon to demolish 9 Virginia office buildings to make way for data centers

    The tech giant and other firms are evaluating ways to transform vacant office space for new uses.

    By • June 14, 2023
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    ST-art via Getty Images
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    S&P raises alarms on CRE financing

    Though owners throughout the commercial real estate space are being affected by recent financial headwinds, the office sector is facing the most intense pressure right now, a new report says.

    By Leslie Shaver • June 13, 2023
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    Canadian wildfires prompt Northeast contractors to send workers home

    Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor OSHA have mandates on when outdoor work should cease due to hazardous air quality.

    By • June 8, 2023
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    Joe Raedle/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Weak office, hotel sectors continue to drag on construction planning

    While office and hotel planning continue to drop, healthcare and education projects posted a 5.6% jump in May, according to Dodge Construction Network.

    By • June 8, 2023
  • Construction workers prepare steel for a crane at the site of JPMorgan Chase's new headquarters
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    Economic Reports

    Higher material prices here to stay

    More upward pressure on the cost of building products will lead to a permanent shift in prices, according to construction industry sources.

    By • June 1, 2023