Each Monday, we'll let you know what's coming in the week ahead, including important residential and commercial report releases, as well as our feature articles.
Holiday gift feature article — Dec. 8
The holiday season is upon us, and that means it's time to pick out the best gifts for your construction colleagues and employees. On Tuesday, Dec. 8, we'll give you our list of great gift options, for everyone from field and office personnel to executives. Be sure to check out our list for inspiration as you embark on your holiday shopping.
FEMA floodplain remapping feature article — Dec. 10
On Thursday, Dec. 10, we will take a look at the pushback from FEMA's recent floodplain remapping. Insurance rates are going up, or down, based on where property falls on the new maps, and properties with higher insurance rates are less attractive to potential buyers. This also adds to cost of construction if new homes need to be designed to reduce the risk of flooding. Some municipalities, like Gouldsboro, ME, have successfully petitioned FEMA for changes as to exactly what their flood risk is after uncovering errors in FEMA's calculations. What do industry experts think about the floodplain mapping? How is it impacting construction?
Producer price index — Dec. 11
The monthly Producer Price Index report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics will be released Friday, Dec. 11. That afternoon, the Associated Builders and Contractors will offer their take on the data, and we'll cover both reports in a combined story.
Last month, the BLS reported construction material prices slipped 0.2% between September and October and fell 4.6% year-over-year. October marked the fourth consecutive month of declines for construction industry inputs in the Producer Price Index.
After last month's report, ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu attributed the continued decline in material prices to the strong value of the dollar and "weaker than anticipated performance in key emerging markets," such as China, Russia and Brazil. He predicted that November will see further price declines, unless those economic factors see a sudden shift.
Will Friday's report affirm Basu's prediction of another month of price declines?
