Dive Brief:

• Last year's construction spending was, at best, uneven, with the power sector – residential – covering up some mediocre and bad performances elsewhere.
• Ken Simonson, chief economist for Associated General Contractors, expects construction for manufacturing and power facilities to experience double-digit growth percentages, warehouse construction to do well and lodging to continue its strong performance.
• This year, Simonson expects, private nonresidential construction is looking at a 5% to 10% growth rate, public spending will continue to be bad news – though maybe not as bad as the 3% shrinkage in 2013 – and multifamily  will pull residential spending to an increase of about 10%.

Dive Insight:

Interestingly, Simonson thinks single-family residential, which has been slowing somewhat in recent months, will stall later this year. Looking at costs, some materials will be up and some down, but labor costs are where he sees the big problem coming for contractors.