Report: Minnesota prevailing wage law doesn't bloat budgets

Peer-reviewed studies for almost 20 years have shown that the pay rule does not affect the cost of public construction projects.

By Kim Slowey • July 17, 2018

Debts for KFC 'Yum Center' stadium in Louisville swell to $1B

Even though the venue was completed on time and within budget, the city is on the hook for unpaid costs that increased by more than $360 million in 10 years.

By Kim Slowey • July 17, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Labor

A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.

By Construction Dive staff

Report: Construction execs positive on short-term growth despite rising material prices, labor shortage

Most executives surveyed by Engineering News-Record said they believe the industry will continue to grow into 2019, but are leery about long-term growth.

By Kim Slowey • July 10, 2018

Not your average 'snowflake': Why construction educators are excited about millennials

College construction management programs are attracting entrepreneurial young people drawn to the industry’s dynamism and job opportunities.

By Kathleen Brown • June 28, 2018

Association: More tariffs will hurt construction, other industries

The head of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers said another $200 billion worth of duties imposed on Chinese imports would have a negative impact on the U.S. economy.

By Kim Slowey • June 21, 2018

Report: US construction industry has a bright future

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation predicted industry growth of 5% from 2017 to 2018.

By Kim Slowey • June 18, 2018

Slow pay adds $40B a year to construction industry costs

Late remittance from customers adds 3.3% to total project costs, a recent report found.

By Kim Slowey • June 11, 2018

AGC: Construction employment up in more than 250 metros

Yet contractors report that it is still difficult to find qualified skilled workers.

By Kim Slowey • June 4, 2018

Canada responds in equal measure to U.S. tariffs

Canadian tariffs on $12.6 billion of U.S. goods, including steel and aluminum, went into effect on July 1, as promised.

By Kim Slowey • Updated July 3, 2018

ABC: Trump's $1.5T infrastructure plan could generate 2.6M construction jobs

The analysis found that for every $1 billion in federal construction spending, more than 6,300 jobs are created. 

By Kim Slowey • May 30, 2018

California logs 50K construction apprentices

The state expects to have 100,000 active apprentices, many of them in the construction trades, by the end of 2020. 

By Riia O'Donnell and Jean Dimeo • May 25, 2018

Construction M&A activity continued to expand in 2017

President Donald Trump's proposed infrastructure plan is among the forces driving mergers and acquisitions in the industry, according to a FMI Capital Advisors report. 

By Kim Slowey • May 22, 2018

Seattle construction workers brace for possible slowdown

Despite the Washington city's building boom, its construction workers wonder how the new head tax and other factors will affect business.

By Kim Slowey • May 16, 2018

Competition has banks easing up on commercial lending

A Federal Reserve Board survey revealed that commercial lenders' loan standards are the most relaxed they have been in three years.

By Kim Slowey • May 15, 2018

April construction jobs up 17K for post-recession high

A 3.5% average wage hike is helping to recruit more experienced construction workers. 

By Kim Slowey • May 8, 2018

Report: Construction costs continue to increase amid tariff uncertainty

The industry is looking to May 1 when the Trump administration will issue a decision on which countries will be exempt from steel and aluminum tariffs. 

By Kim Slowey • April 26, 2018

City officials split on who should pay for $17B California Delta tunnels

Delegations from Los Angeles and San Diego voted against investing billions in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta project.

By Kim Slowey • April 24, 2018

Los Angeles construction costs climbed most in U.S. in 2017

The 7.6% increase for the California city last year was nearly double the 4.2% average uptick the rest of the country experienced.

By Kim Slowey • April 20, 2018

Raiders' $2B stadium signals strong demand for sports venues

The relatively easy financing process for the Raiders' Las Vegas stadium could motivate other sports teams and cities to build new venues.

By Kim Slowey • April 19, 2018

Completion of massive construction projects can negatively impact local businesses

When projects wrap up, lodging, food and other services often are left facing a significant downturn in sales.

By Kim Slowey • April 18, 2018

Material prices increase in March, expected to constrain profit growth

The ABC said that rising material prices and wages will challenge contractor profits in 2018, despite a healthy backlog of work.

By Kim Slowey • April 13, 2018

FMI: Construction spending will increase 7% in 2018

The management and investment consultancy expects the office sector to lead nonresidential construction spending.

By Kim Slowey • April 11, 2018

Dodge: March momentum jumps on 9.6% commercial rebound

The data and analytics company reported that this new wave of momentum could be a result of the tax overhaul passed at the end of last year.

By Kim Slowey • April 9, 2018

Construction employment declines by 15,000 jobs in March

The Associated Builders and Contractors said trade tensions with China and other Trump administration policies could be impacting employment growth.

By Kim Slowey • April 9, 2018

NYC's construction boom spreading to all boroughs

Activity during the past five years was at its greatest since the recession, with the outer boroughs, particularly, seeing growth.

By Kim Slowey • April 4, 2018