flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Sharp jump in owners cancelling or delaying construction projects across the country, new survey finds

Coronavirus

Sharp jump in owners cancelling or delaying construction projects across the country, new survey finds

After 42 states added jobs in February, coronavirus is taking a swift and severe toll on the industry, prompting association officials to call for additional measures to help workers and firms recover.


By AGC | March 27, 2020

Courtesy Pixabay

Thirty-nine percent of contractors report that project owners have halted or canceled current construction projects amid deteriorating economic conditions, according to a survey released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials warned that these cancellations mean massive job losses are likely soon unless Congress passes targeted recovery measures to boost infrastructure funding, compensate firms for lost or delayed federally funded work and provide needed pension relief. The project cancellations are particularly severe in light of new data showing that 42 states added construction jobs through February.

“The abrupt plunge in economic activity is taking a swift and severe toll on construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, noting that only 18% of respondents have been ordered to halt work by elected officials. “The sudden drop in demand stands in sharp contrast to the strong employment levels this industry was experiencing just a few weeks ago.” Click here for additional video comments from Mr. Simonson.

In the association’s latest online survey, conducted between March 23 and 26, 45% of the 1,640 respondents reported experiencing project delays or disruptions. Shortages of material, parts and equipment, including vital personal protective equipment for workers such as respirators, were reported by 23% of respondents. Eighteen percent reported shortages of craftworkers, while 16% said projects were delayed by shortages of government workers needed for inspections, permits and other actions. Thirteen percent said delay or disruption had occurred because a potentially infected person had visited a jobsite.

The survey also found that 35% of firms said suppliers had notified them or their subcontractors that some deliveries would be delayed or canceled, the economist added. He noted that only 22% reported similar supply chain challenges last week. That survey was conducted between March 17-19. However, 8% of firms did report they have added new work expanding health care and other facilities needed to respond to the growing health crisis.

In contrast to the rapidly deteriorating current market conditions, the association also released new construction employment data showing that most states – 42 – added construction jobs between February 2019 and February 2020. Industry employment declined over the year in eight states and the District of Columbia. From January to February, 37 states and D.C. added construction jobs, while 11 states shed jobs and two states had no change.

Association officials warned that while the coronavirus relief measure scheduled for a vote in the House today will provide some immediate help for construction workers and their employers, Congress must do more to protect high-paying construction jobs. They said new investments in infrastructure, relief from losses incurred on delayed or canceled federally funded projects and protections for multi-employer pensions will help the industry recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic.

“The steps firms are taking to protect workers from the coronavirus unfortunately won’t be enough to save many of them from the economic damage the pandemic is creating,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Construction workers and employers need more than a lifeline, they need a recovery plan.”

View the state employment datarankings, and map. View AGC’s coronavirus resources and survey.

Related Stories

Coronavirus | Oct 2, 2020

With revenues drying up, colleges reexamine their student housing projects

Shifts to online learning raise questions about the value of campus residence life.

Coronavirus | Oct 1, 2020

The Weekly show: Decarbonizing Chicago, re-evaluating delayed projects, and the future of the jobsite

The October 1 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.

Coronavirus | Sep 28, 2020

Cities to boost spending on green initiatives after the pandemic

More bikeways, car restrictions, mass transit, climate resilience are on tap.

Coronavirus | Sep 28, 2020

Evaluating and investing resources to navigate past the COVID-19 pandemic

As AEC firm leaders consider worst-case scenarios and explore possible solutions to surmount them, they learn to become nimble, quick, and ready to pivot as circumstances demand.

Coronavirus | Sep 24, 2020

The Weekly show: Building optimization tech, the future of smart cities, and storm shelter design

The September 24 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.

Coronavirus | Sep 10, 2020

Mobile ordering is a centerpiece of Burger King’s new design

Its reimagined restaurants are 60% smaller, with several pickup options.

Coronavirus | Sep 9, 2020

Prefab: Construction’s secret weapon against COVID-19

How to know if offsite production is right for your project.

Coronavirus | Sep 3, 2020

The Weekly show: JLL's construction outlook for 2020, and COVID-19's impact on sustainability

The September 3 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand. 

Coronavirus | Sep 1, 2020

6 must reads for the AEC industry today: September 1, 2020

Co-working developers pivot to survive the pandemic, and the rise of inquiry-based learning in K-12 communities.

Coronavirus | Aug 28, 2020

7 must reads for the AEC industry today: August 28, 2020

Hotel occupancy likely to dip by 29%, and pandemic helps cannabis industry gain firmer footing.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category


MFPRO+ Special Reports

Top 10 trends in affordable housing

Among affordable housing developers today, there’s one commonality tying projects together: uncertainty. AEC firms share their latest insights and philosophies on the future of affordable housing in BD+C's 2023 Multifamily Annual Report.



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