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.
Building for the manufacturing sector — June 20
From a $1 billion tire plant in South Carolina to a $242 million gummy bear factory in Wisconsin, there has been a wave of new, high-profile manufacturing plant construction in the U.S. recently. In our feature article on Tuesday, June 20, we'll take a deeper look at what goes into building warehouses and manufacturing facilities, from site selection through the construction process.
How to charge for estimates — June 21
Clients typically ask multiple contractors for estimates on a single home remodeling project before picking one, using the array of projections to help negotiate. Often, that contractor is the only one to get paid. In our feature article on Wednesday, June 21, we'll explore the practice of offering estimates for free in the hopes of bringing in new business and find out how contractors can better assess their time.
AIA Billings Index — June 21
The American Institute of Architects will release its Architecture Billings Index on Wednesday, June 21. Last month, the AIA reported the index stayed on positive ground in April, even though it dipped to 50.9 from March's reading of 54.3. April marked the third-consecutive month that design services were in positive territory.
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 about nine to 12 months. Will Wednesday's report the extend the index's positive streak?
Existing-home sales — June 21
Tight inventory conditions contributed to a 2.3% decline in existing-home sales from March to April as housing supply struggles to keep pace with growing demand. Competition is particularly extreme in the entry-level and mid-market categories, of which existing homes are a key component. On Wednesday, June 21, the National Association of Realtors will release its existing-home sales report for May, indicating whether trade-up activity is increasing and more inventory is up for the taking.
Does Passive House have a branding problem? — June 21
Energy-efficient construction devotees gathered in New York City last week for the 2017 New York Passive House Conference & Expo. There, architects, engineers, policy experts and others discussed and debated the building typology's move into the commercial sector and how they could better get municipalities on board. In our feature article on Wednesday, June 21, we'll explore some of the biggest questions posed as "passive" houses become passive schools, office buildings, hospitals and more.
The gentrification effect — June 22
Luxury developments are transforming older and often low-income neighborhoods, which means a property tax payoff for the municipality and the ability to charge higher rents for developers. But what happens to those forced out by either construction or the high cost of staying there? In our feature article on Thursday, June 22, we'll explore whether the rewards of new development are worth the potential negative consequences for certain neighborhoods.
New-home sales — June 23
A mild winter and strong buyer demand meant new-construction and home sales activity got off to an early start this year. A robust March was followed by a slower-than-anticipated April, during which new-home sales fell 11.4% to an annual rate of 569,000, coming up short of analyst expectations. On Friday, June 23, the Commerce Department will release its new-home sales report for May, offering more details on the pace of new-home sales through the spring selling season.
