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

| Feb 1, 2012

ULI and Greenprint Foundation create ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance

Member-to-member information exchange measures energy use, carbon footprint of commercial portfolios.

| Feb 1, 2012

AEC mergers and acquisitions up in 2011, expected to surge in 2012

Morrissey Goodale tracked 171 domestic M&A deals, representing a 12.5% increase over 2010 and a return to levels not seen since 2007.

| Jan 31, 2012

AIA CONTINUING EDUCATION: Reroofing primer, in-depth advice from the experts

Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.

| Jan 31, 2012

28th Annual Reconstruction Awards: Modern day reconstruction plays out

A savvy Building Team reconstructs a Boston landmark into a multiuse masterpiece for Suffolk University. 

| Jan 31, 2012

Chapman Construction/Design: ‘Sustainability is part of everything we do’

Chapman Construction/Design builds a working culture around sustainability—for its clients, and for its employees.

| Jan 31, 2012

Fusion Facilities: 8 reasons to consolidate multiple functions under one roof

‘Fusing’ multiple functions into a single building can make it greater than the sum of its parts. The first in a series  on the design and construction of university facilities.

| Jan 31, 2012

Suffolk Construction to manage Lawrence & Memorial Hospital Cancer Center project in Waterford, Conn.

Leading construction management firm overseeing one of first healthcare projects in the country to utilize innovative IPD process.

| Jan 31, 2012

Perkins Eastman’s Miller appointed Chairman of the AIA International Committee

International expertise leveraged as global industry resource.

| Jan 31, 2012

KBE selected for school project in Waterbury, Conn.

Located adjacent to the existing elementary school, the $28 million, 82,000 s/f Pre-K to eighth Grade school is expected to host its first students in the fall of 2013.

| Jan 31, 2012

Construction Law Firm Allensworth & Porter, LLP adds May to the firm

Prior to joining Allensworth & Porter, May served as the staff attorney for the Texas Civil Justice League, and was responsible for drafting, analyzing, and tracking civil justice and business-related legislation during the 82nd Legislative Session. 

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