flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Weather to blame for decline in Construction Backlog Indicator

Contractors

Weather to blame for decline in Construction Backlog Indicator

Despite the backlog decline, continued job growth, low fuel prices, and wage gains are expected to lead to an increase in consumer spending.


By BD+C Staff | June 2, 2015
Weather to blame for decline in Construction Backlog Indicator

The Construction Backlog Indicator fell by 3.2% during the first three months of 2015. Image: Pixabay

Following an intense winter season, the Associated Builders and Contractors' Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) revealed a 3.2% decline during the first quarter of 2015. 

According to ABC, construction firms across the country reported a revenue-weighted average CBI of 8.4 months, 0.3 months below the final quarter of 2014. 

The Northeast saw its backlog decline by 10.2%, a change of 1.04 months from the fourth quarter of last year. The Middle States reported a 0.7% decline to 0.05 months in construction backlog and the West experienced a 25.3% drop or 1.88 months. The South was the only region to report an increase in construction backlog as it rose 5.9% or 0.55 months.

 

 

"Weather and a myriad of other factors always make the first quarter CBI difficult to interpret," said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. "A brutal winter may have postponed project-related work, including the signing of contracts. The first quarters of 2012 and 2014 also experienced CBI declines that effectively were reversed during the ensuing second quarters."

Additionally, sharp reductions in oilfield investment affected companies in the Middle States while the West Coast port slowdown impacted firms on the western side of the country. However, the backlog should re-establish an upward trend as the year's warmer months approach and ports return to normal.

Despite the backlog decline, continued job growth, low fuel prices, and wage gains are expected to lead to an increase in consumer spending.

 

Related Stories

| May 22, 2012

O’Connell Robertson acquires Mitchell Design Consultancy

Mary Ann A. Mitchell, AIA, IIDA, MDC principal and founder, joins O’Connell Robertson as part of the acquisition.

| May 21, 2012

$61,000 awarded to students in Cleveland’s ACE Mentor Program

Mayor Frank G. Jackson gives keynote address at scholarship event for 80 Cleveland Metropolitan School District students involved in the ACE Mentor Program, which provides guidance and assistance for students interested in careers in the integrated construction industry.

| May 21, 2012

Wayne, Pa.'s Radnor Middle School wins national green award

Radnor Middle School among the most sustainable schools in the U.S.

| May 21, 2012

Winchester High School receives NuRoof system

Metal Roof Consultants attended a school board meeting and presented a sloped metal retrofit roof as an alternative to tearing off the existing roof and replacing it with another flat roof.

| May 17, 2012

EMerge Alliance forms new Campus Microgrid Technical Standards Committee

Intel leading the charge to connect multiple DC microgrids throughout commercial buildings; others invited to join effort.

| May 16, 2012

AIA issues guide to IGCC

Getting the IgCC adopted in all 50 states and in jurisdictions across the country is the primary mission of the ICC, which published the code in March.

| May 16, 2012

Architecture Billings Index reverts to negative territory

Decline is possibly a brief pause from unusually strong winter activity.

| May 16, 2012

AEG releases 3D video of L.A.'s Farmers Field

The Los Angeles Convention Center footage depicts the new convention center hall spaces, including a new lobby above Pico Boulevard, pre-function space, and what will be the largest multi-purpose ballroom in Los Angeles.

| May 16, 2012

Balfour Beatty Construction taps Kiger as VP of operations

Kiger will manage current relationships and pursue other strategic clients, including select healthcare clients and strategic project pursuits in the Central Tennessee region.

| May 15, 2012

One World Trade Center goes to new height of sustainability

One of the biggest challenges in developing this concrete mixture was meeting the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey’s strict requirement for the replacement of cement.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




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