Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell sharply to 7.7 months in August, according to an ABC member survey conducted Aug. 19 to Sep.1. The reading is down 0.8 months from July 2021 and down 0.3 months from August 2020.
ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins and staffing levels all fell modestly in August but remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations of growth over the next six months.
“Both contractor backlog and confidence have begun to fade,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Higher materials prices and labor costs have conspired to put more projects on hold. In many instances, expanding costs have rendered projects infeasible.
“That said, it is still the case that contractors collectively anticipate sales, staffing levels and margins to rise over the next six months,” said Basu. “The expected pace of improvement has softened, however. With so much liquidity continuing to be injected into financial systems, investors have considerable sums to deploy in new investments. Real estate valuations and construction volumes benefit from such dynamics. Recent dips in commodity prices and more normal labor market functioning should help translate into slower cost escalations and rebounding backlog during the months ahead, ultimately reversing the backlog decline sustained in August.”
Related Stories
Market Data | Sep 18, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: September 18, 2020
Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back and energy code appeals could hamper efficiency progress.
Market Data | Sep 17, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: September 17, 2020
Foster + Partners-designed hospital begins construction in Cairo and heat pumps are the future for hot water.
Market Data | Sep 16, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: September 16, 2020
REI sells unused HQ building and Adjaye Associates will design The Africa Institute.
Market Data | Sep 15, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: September 15, 2020
Energy efficiency considerations for operating buildings during a pandemic and is there really a glass box paradox?
Market Data | Sep 14, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: September 14, 2020
63% of New York's restaurants could be gone by 2021 and new weapons in the apartment amenities arms race.
Market Data | Sep 11, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: September 11, 2020
Des Moines University begins construction on new campus and the role of urgent care in easing the oncology journey.
Market Data | Sep 10, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: September 10, 2020
Taipei's new Performance Hall and Burger King's touchless restaurant designs.
Market Data | Sep 9, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: September 9, 2020
What will the 'new normal' look like and the AIA hands out its Twenty-five Year Award.
Market Data | Sep 8, 2020
‘New normal’: IAQ, touchless, and higher energy bills?
Not since 9/11 has a single event so severely rocked the foundation of the commercial building industry.
Market Data | Sep 8, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: September 8, 2020
Google proposes 40-acre redevelopment plan and office buildings should be an essential part of their communities.