New data shows the construction industry continues to struggle to offset rising prices for materials and subcontractor services, as price decline in latest month fails to offset annual cost increases
The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction continued rising at a double-digit rate in November from a year earlier, propelled by outsized increases in the cost of a variety of building materials, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released Dec. 9. Association officials noted that contractors are having to pay more both for materials and for the subcontractor services they need to finish most projects.
But record-tying low unemployment rate of 3.9 percent and elevated number of job openings suggest construction industry continues to fall short of hiring as many workers as it needs
Construction companies added 20,000 employees in November and continued to raise wages for hourly workers more steeply than other sectors as the industry’s unemployment rate tumbled, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government data. Association officials said the data shows that firms would have added significantly more workers if they could find more people to hire.
Construction spending declines 0.3 percent from September with decreases for residential, commercial, highway and manufacturing segments; contractors fill less than half the open positions in October
Total construction spending decreased by 0.3 percent for the month of October, with downturns in homebuilding and most major nonresidential categories, according to an analysis the Associated General Contractors of America released Dec. 1 of federal spending data. Association officials noted contractors are struggling to complete projects as the number of open positions at the end of October topped hires in the month.
The stucco market is evaluated by Construction Activity (New and Renovation Construction), Product (Traditional Three-coat Stucco, EIFS and Newer-one Coat Stucco), Insulation Type (Insulated Siding and Non-insulated Siding) and End Use (Residential and Nonresidential) in a report published by Allied Market Research, titled “Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2026.”
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas, and Provo-Orem, Utah, post the largest year-over-year gains; Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, experience the worst decreases over 12 months
Construction employment increased in 268, or 75 percent, of 358 metro areas between October 2021 and October 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials noted, however, that job vacancies outpaced hiring, as construction firms struggle to find enough qualified workers to hire.
SWACCA’s public policy team is pleased that another multi-year advocacy campaign has ended in success. Since the summer of 2020, SWACCA has been at the forefront of an effort with its allies in the Construction Employers of America and its union partners to reverse regulations that negatively altered the analysis trustees of ERISA plans must use when assessing plan investments.
Association officials caution that higher construction costs could undermine demand for projects, urge Biden Administration to remove tariffs on key materials, continue to untangle supply chains
A measure of construction contractors’ bid prices moved sharply higher in October as firms coped with ongoing supply chain challenges and a tight labor market, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released Nov. 15. Association officials said rising construction costs threaten to undermine demand for projects and urged administration officials to remove remaining tariffs on construction materials and to boost investments in construction-focused education and training.
Construction pay continues to increase as average hourly earnings hits $35.27, as industry officials push for measures to encourage more people to pursue high-paying construction careers
The construction industry added only 1,000 employees in October while it continued to boost wages for hourly workers, as firms compete to hire from a small labor pool, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government data. Association officials said the small increase in construction employment is an indication of how hard it has become for construction firms to find qualified workers to hire.
Construction spending hits $1.811 trillion in September, driven by big boosts in annual manufacturing, lodging & commercial activity, transportation investments lag as regulations bog down infrastructure
Total construction spending increased by 0.2 percent for the month of September and by 10.9 percent for the year, as nonresidential construction activity now outpaces residential construction, according to an analysis the Associated General Contractors of America released on Nov. 1 of federal spending data. Association officials noted that gains in public sector transportation construction have lagged other fast-growing segments as officials grapple with Buy America and other new regulatory requirements.
Florida has largest pickup in jobs, while North Dakota experiences largest percentage increases, Texas and New Jersey lose the most jobs annually and monthly, Mississippi and Alabama have largest percentage drops
Thirty-two states added construction jobs between August and September, and an equal number boosted construction employment during the past twelve months, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America on Oct. 21. Association officials said the job gains were welcome news, but that significant labor shortages in the industry likely held back even larger employment gains.