flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Construction economists optimistic about 2014 growth

Construction economists optimistic about 2014 growth

ABC’s quarterly Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) will be released Aug. 19.


By Associated Builders and Contractors | August 5, 2014
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Chief Economist Anirban Basu, American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chief Economist Kermit Baker and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chief Economist David Crowe provided a collaborative economic forecast combining their expert economic analysis on leading, present and lagging economic indicators.
 
"A combination of low interest rates; wealth effects stemming from a booming stock market and rising home prices; surging energy production; and expanding industrial output has helped position the U.S. economy for more rapid growth during the next several quarters," said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. "This will lead to more robust recovery in the U.S. nonresidential construction industry, which has also been aided by stable materials prices and improving commercial real estate fundamentals. ABC predicts 7 percent nominal nonresidential construction growth in 2014, despite ongoing challenges in the public construction segment."
 
"We continue to have an optimistic outlook for the commercial and industrial sectors for the rest of this year and into 2015," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "However, until we see state and local governments ramp up spending for new education, health care and public safety structures there likely won’t be a widespread acceleration in spending for the entire industry."
 
"Economic pick-up in the second quarter was coupled with a return in housing construction," said David Crowe, chief economist for NAHB. "We expect continued modest growth in housing construction as employment rises and more household formations take place. However, continued tight supplies of labor and land will put upward pressure on new home prices."
 
In addition to this forecast, AIA released its latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI) July 23, NAHB released its latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) July 16 and ABC’s quarterly Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) will be released Aug. 19.

Related Stories

| Jun 4, 2012

Brownfield goes green

Chicago Center for Green Technology uses high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryers to share its green message and earn LEED credits.

| Jun 4, 2012

KBE Building and CTA Construction awarded Project of the Year from CMAA

Award given for work done on the renovation of Beverly High School in Beverly, Mass.

| Jun 4, 2012

Pressley promoted to Senior VP and CIO at Hill International

Pressley will be responsible for managing all of Hill's information technology systems and software worldwide.

| Jun 4, 2012

Stalco Construction promotes Scott Pavick to chief estimator

Pavick manages the estimating department and is responsible for developing cost estimates and budgets, value engineering, and subcontractor bid evaluation and negotiations.

| Jun 4, 2012

HBD Construction to build new training campus in St. Louis

Larger campus facility will expand training opportunities for plumbers and pipefitters.

| Jun 1, 2012

New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available

By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.

| Jun 1, 2012

Caruso to lead Gensler’s Asia talent development

Caruso will be based in Shanghai and working with the Gensler offices in Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and India until the spring of 2013.

| Jun 1, 2012

AIA 2030 Commitment Program reports new results

The full report contains participating firm demographics, energy reduction initiatives undertaken by firms, anecdotal accounts, and lessons learned.

| Jun 1, 2012

Robert Wilson joins SmithGroupJJR

Wilson makes the move to SmithGroupJJR from VOA Associates, Inc., where he served as a senior vice president and technical director in its Chicago office.

| Jun 1, 2012

Gilbane Building's Sue Klawans promoted

Industry veteran tasked with boosting project efficiency and driving customer satisfaction, to direct operational excellence efforts.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Great Solutions

41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors

AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021