Building Design+Construction's monthly Market Intelligence Report offers a snapshot of the health of the U.S. building construction industry, including the commercial, multifamily, institutional, and industrial building sectors. This report tracks the latest metrics related to construction spending, demand for design services, contractor backlogs, and material price trends.
Data for the Market Intelligence Report is gleaned from reputable economic sources, including the American Institute of Architects, Associated Builders and Contractors, and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Here are some of the highlights from the February 2024 report:
- Spending on vertical construction (i.e., "commercial buildings" work) is at a near all-time high, at $851.4 billion in annualized spending. However, inflation plays into this equation; building projects are more costly to plan, design, and build.
- Multifamily continues to shine, with 11.9% YOY growth to $135.9 billion in annual spending. Economists are calling for a slowdown, but not until 2025-26. Even at that, construction spending will hover at near all-time highs.
- Other hot sectors: manufacturing, education, healthcare, public safety, and religious.
- The 2024-25 forecast (from AIA) for key markets looks promising; only commercial/retail and office are expected to see a pullback in construction spending. Hotels, multifamily, education, and healthcare are all expected to see strong spending increases.
- The average U.S. contractor currently has 9.1 months worth of building construction work in the pipeline, which is slightly higher for the month and on par with the previous year.
- AIA's Architecture Billings Index has remained below 50 for the past six months, which means more firms than not are experiencing a decrease in billings.
- Construction material prices have largely stabilized. We're not seeing the volatile swings in prices and availability experienced during the pandemic.
Related Stories
Market Data | Feb 1, 2017
Nonresidential spending falters slightly to end 2016
Nonresidential spending decreased from $713.1 billion in November to $708.2 billion in December.
Market Data | Jan 31, 2017
AIA foresees nonres building spending increasing, but at a slower pace than in 2016
Expects another double-digit growth year for office construction, but a more modest uptick for health-related building.
High-rise Construction | Jan 23, 2017
Growth spurt: A record-breaking 128 buildings of 200 meters or taller were completed in 2016
This marks the third consecutive record-breaking year for building completions over 200 meters.
Market Data | Jan 18, 2017
Fraud and risk incidents on the rise for construction, engineering, and infrastructure businesses
Seven of the 10 executives in the sector surveyed in the report said their company fell victim to fraud in the past year.
Market Data | Jan 18, 2017
Architecture Billings Index ends year on positive note
Architecture firms close 2016 with the strongest performance of the year.
Market Data | Jan 12, 2017
73% of construction firms plan to expand their payrolls in 2017
However, many firms remain worried about the availability of qualified workers.
Market Data | Jan 9, 2017
Trump market impact prompts surge in optimism for U.S. engineering firm leaders
The boost in firm leader optimism extends across almost the entire engineering marketplace.
Market Data | Jan 5, 2017
Nonresidential spending thrives in strong November spending report
Many construction firms have reported that they remain busy but have become concerned that work could dry up in certain markets in 2017 or 2018, says Anirban Basu, ABC Chief Economist.
Market Data | Dec 21, 2016
Architecture Billings Index up slightly in November
New design contracts also return to positive levels, signifying future growth in construction activity.
Market Data | Dec 21, 2016
Will housing adjust to an aging population?
New Joint Center report projects 66% increase in senior heads of households by 2035.