In the first six months of 2022, quarter-to-quarter inflation for construction materials showed signs of easing, but only slightly. “It’s important to clarify that costs are not decreasing; a more accurate description is that [they are] getting expensive less quickly,” stated Dallas-based architecture and construction firm The Beck Group, in its Summer 2022 Biannual Cost Report, which Beck released this week.
Covering January through June of this year, the report combines market data from a variety of sources—including AIA, FMI, McKinsey & Company, Autodesk, Cumming, the Urban Land Institute, and Associated General Contractors of America—with insights from the firm’s preconstruction teams in six markets: Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, and the state of Florida.
Market conditions remain challenging nearly everywhere. “Schedule-related constraints are a new norm in today’s market,” The Beck Group contends. “Construction firms are in the middle of suppliers who can’t or won’t commit to pricing longer than 10 days and owners with historically prolonged approval processes. This reality conflicts with the past when it was still possible to hold pricing for upwards of 60 days.”
That being said, The Beck Group claims that the industry is on the cusp of a “new era in collaboration to manage costs and schedules.” That is especially true for developers and owners that bring their AEC partners into projects as early as possible. In its report, The Beck Group offers a list of strategies for managing inflation and supply-chain disruptions that mostly revolve around earlier procurement (see box).
Beck itself creates procurement packages for its clients to secure materials and equipment, a service that involves the firm’s design and construction teams.
DENVER AN EXPENSIVE PLACE TO BUILD IN
On the whole, The Beck Group is seeing significant demand and construction activities in the Sun Belt, in line with the “constant migration” of people and businesses to that region. (It points out, for example, that 43 high-rise towers are under development or construction in Austin.) To keep up with that demand, subcontractors in Texas must rely on imported cement (which, ironically, is among the construction materials least affected by current inflation).
The report takes a deeper dive into the six Sun Belt markets mentioned above, and breaks down project costs by building types—office, healthcare, higher education, faith-based, hospitality, parking, and site work—and their respective sub niches.
The Denver metro is experiencing high demand for multifamily and mixed-use projects. Existing and planned projects are plentiful in the Atlanta market, and subcontractors report substantial backlogs. Building activity in the Florida market remains healthy, bolstered by the state’s economy that is expected to expand by 4 percent between now and 2024. The most significant demand for construction is education, healthcare, and aviation.
Across all building types, it costs more to build or renovate in Denver than in the other five markets, albeit only marginally so in several cases. For example, in healthcare, Denver’s costs per sf for ambulatory surgery centers—ranging from $477 to $583—were around $10 to $25 higher than the other metros. Science and lab buildings cost from $650 to $901 per sf to construct in Denver, versus $631 to $885 in Austin, another S+T hotbed.
The report also compares the cost per key to build or renovate hotels in these six markets, as well as the cost per space for parking and the cost per acre for site development.
CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT STRENGTHENING
The Beck Group report corroborates what other recent studies have been finding: that the construction employment market, nationally, is improving. Beck predicts this trend to continue as higher wages lure more people into the profession. The employment situation might also explain the slight bump in industry confidence that was evident in the first half of the year.
Related Stories
Market Data | Jul 5, 2023
Nonresidential construction spending decreased in May, its first drop in nearly a year
National nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.2% in May, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.06 trillion.
Apartments | Jun 27, 2023
Average U.S. apartment rent reached all-time high in May, at $1,716
Multifamily rents continued to increase through the first half of 2023, despite challenges for the sector and continuing economic uncertainty. But job growth has remained robust and new households keep forming, creating apartment demand and ongoing rent growth. The average U.S. apartment rent reached an all-time high of $1,716 in May.
Industry Research | Jun 15, 2023
Exurbs and emerging suburbs having fastest population growth, says Cushman & Wakefield
Recently released county and metro-level population growth data by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the fastest growing areas are found in exurbs and emerging suburbs.
Contractors | Jun 13, 2023
The average U.S. contractor has 8.9 months worth of construction work in the pipeline, as of May 2023
Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator remained unchanged at 8.9 months in May, according to an ABC member survey conducted May 20 to June 7. The reading is 0.1 months lower than in May 2022. Backlog in the infrastructure category ticked up again and has now returned to May 2022 levels. On a regional basis, backlog increased in every region but the Northeast.
Industry Research | Jun 13, 2023
Two new surveys track how the construction industry, in the U.S. and globally, is navigating market disruption and volatility
The surveys, conducted by XYZ Reality and KPMG International, found greater willingness to embrace technology, workplace diversity, and ESG precepts.
| Jun 5, 2023
Communication is the key to AEC firms’ mental health programs and training
The core of recent awareness efforts—and their greatest challenge—is getting workers to come forward and share stories.
Contractors | May 24, 2023
The average U.S. contractor has 8.9 months worth of construction work in the pipeline, as of April 2023
Contractor backlogs climbed slightly in April, from a seven-month low the previous month, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.
Multifamily Housing | May 23, 2023
One out of three office buildings in largest U.S. cities are suitable for residential conversion
Roughly one in three office buildings in the largest U.S. cities are well suited to be converted to multifamily residential properties, according to a study by global real estate firm Avison Young. Some 6,206 buildings across 10 U.S. cities present viable opportunities for conversion to residential use.
Industry Research | May 22, 2023
2023 High Growth Study shares tips for finding success in uncertain times
Lee Frederiksen, Managing Partner, Hinge, reveals key takeaways from the firm's recent High Growth study.
Multifamily Housing | May 8, 2023
The average multifamily rent was $1,709 in April 2023, up for the second straight month
Despite economic headwinds, the multifamily housing market continues to demonstrate resilience, according to a new Yardi Matrix report.
