What Colorado's recent legislation means for condo construction — May 23

Colorado has passed a new construction defects law that aims to reduce the risk of lawsuits and entice condominium developers back into the state, which is suffering from a lack of entry-level and affordable housing. In our feature article on Tuesday, May 23, we'll explore the impacts of the measure and find out whether experts believe it goes far enough. 

​New-home sales — May 23

New-home sales rolled in ahead of analyst expectations in March to post their best month since July 2016, as a mild winter and strong demand propelled construction activity early in the year. Meanwhile, prices for the category continued to rise while for-sale inventory contracted. On Tuesday, May 23, the Commerce Department will release new-home sales figures for April, shedding light on the impact of favorable weather early in the year and tightening inventory conditions on continued sales activity.

AIA billings — May 24

The American Institute of Architects will release its Architecture Billings Index on Wednesday, May 24. Last month, the AIA reported the index climbed to 54.3 in March, up from February's mark of 50.7. The March bump followed a slow start to 2017 and reinforced the strength of the active spring season. 

The ABI is a significant report for the commercial construction industry, as it serves as an indicator of future construction spending, with a lead time of nine to 12 months. Wednesday's report will offer a clearer picture of design and construction activity, as it has largely followed a steady yet slow trajectory.

Existing-home sales — May 24

Existing-home sales rose at their fastest pace in more than a decade in March, tracking 5.9% ahead of the year-earlier pace. However, as with new-home sales, inventory continued to fall during the month while prices trended upward. On Wednesday, May 24, the National Association of Realtors will release its existing-home sales report for April, which is expected to reveal more details about inventory and price conditions.

Inside the country's varying contractor licensing requirements — May 25

Contractor licensing laws can vary to the extremes from state to state, and even from municipality to municipality. Is there any indication, though, that a strict regulatory scheme results in a higher level of professionalism and quality among contractors? In our feature article on Thursday, May 25, we’ll hear what contractors and legal experts have to say about the issue.

The state of roofing contractor oversight legislation — May 25

Spring and summer weather puts roofs at risk of hail and wind damage and leaves home and building owners vulnerable to rogue operators who claim they're there to help make repairs. States including Missouri, Texas and Kentucky have recently passed or are considering consumer-protection legislation that aims to identify those so-called "storm chasers" and protect the reputation of contractors who do honest work for a fair price. On Thursday, May 25, we'll review the state of roofing contractor oversight rules and what they mean for roofers today.