Economy

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    Courtesy of Penn State
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    Economic Reports

    The 9 largest commercial construction starts of January 2025

    Overall activity dropped during the first month of the year, though infrastructure work kept builders busy, according to Dodge Construction Network.

    By • Feb. 25, 2025
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    Danielle Ternes/Construction Dive
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    Column // The Dotted Line

    Tariff worries force firms to rethink contracts

    Builders are facing trade war-induced price escalation, but they can take key steps to help mitigate that risk.

    By • Feb. 25, 2025
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    sandsun via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Construction Dive

    Construction Dive editors curate some of the industry’s top stories from this year.

    By Construction Dive staff
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    Courtesy of Lendlease
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    Lendlease’s focus on domestic work begins to pay off

    As part of a new strategy, the Australian firm has sold off its U.S. construction projects and entered an agreement to divest from its U.K. business.

    By • Feb. 19, 2025
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    lucky-photographer via Getty Images
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    Granite sees ‘tremendous support’ for IIJA from Washington

    On the California-based roadbuilder’s fourth-quarter earnings call, CEO Kyle Larkin said the market was among the strongest he’s encountered, though inflation looms.

    By • Feb. 18, 2025
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    Joe Raedle/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Tariff fears tied to biggest construction cost jump in 2 years

    Contractors have rushed to buy materials before potential tariffs go into effect, pushing prices higher. More hikes could lie ahead, according to construction trade associations.

    By • Feb. 13, 2025
  • Construction workers help build a condo tower using steel rebar on Feb. 10, 2025, in Miami, Fla.
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    Joe Raedle/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction backlog posts gains to kick off the year

    Contractors expect activity to pick up over the next six months amid renewed confidence since the presidential election, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.

    By • Feb. 13, 2025
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Inflation heats up to 3% as Trump calls on Fed to cut main rate

    The unexpected rise in price pressures prompted futures traders to increase the odds that the Federal Reserve will hold the benchmark rate at its current range beyond May.

    By Jim Tyson • Feb. 13, 2025
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    Courtesy of UCHealth
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    Economic Reports

    Construction planning up 26% to start 2025

    The increase should boost spending in the second half of the year, according to Dodge Construction Network.

    By • Feb. 11, 2025
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    Mario Tama/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    January 2025 economic roundup

    Construction Dive tracks key industry data including backlog, planning activity, input costs, starts and spending.

    By • Feb. 11, 2025
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Trump tags steel, aluminum imports with 25% tariffs

    The new duties build on actions from the president's first term while axing exemptions and product exclusions.

    By Philip Neuffer • Feb. 11, 2025
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    izzetugutman via Getty Images
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    Opinion // Business Matters

    Why not to be the lowest bidder

    Competing on price matters, but it is only part of consistently winning work, says consultant Chad Prinkey.

    By Chad Prinkey • Feb. 6, 2025
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    Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Losing construction sectors under Trump

    As the new administration begins to reshape federal policy, demand for certain types of projects could wane.

    By , • Feb. 5, 2025
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    kali9 via Getty Images
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    Construction hiring slows to ‘unprecedented pace’

    The decline is a result of diminished demand for labor, potentially due to cold weather and the presidential transition, according to a construction economist.

    By • Feb. 5, 2025
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    Nathan Howard/Getty Image via Getty Images
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    Winning construction sectors under Trump

    Thanks to new White House policies aimed at limiting regulations and easing approvals, contractors expect a surge in activity for data centers, manufacturing and energy projects to power AI.

    By , • Feb. 4, 2025
  • After signing a series of executive orders and proclamations, Trump spoke to reporters about a range of topics including recent negotiations with Mexico on tarriffs.
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    Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction spending slips as costs rise ahead of tariffs

    Higher material prices could threaten future demand for projects even before a brewing trade war fully unfolds, according to AGC CEO Jeffrey Shoaf.

    By • Feb. 4, 2025
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    Permission granted by American Express
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    Sponsored by American Express

    American Express and Levelset help simplify lien rights to help merchants optimize business operations

    American Express and Levelset are teaming up to help address lien rights management in the construction industry.

    Feb. 3, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    DOT says it will tie funding to birth, marriage rates

    The agency issued a memo after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy authorized a series of actions to advance Trump’s agenda.

    By • Jan. 31, 2025
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    How California wildfires are affecting supply chains

    While no major warehouse impacts have been reported, a spike in building materials demand could create shortages.

    By Alejandra Carranza • Jan. 31, 2025
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    Permission granted by PCL Construction
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    PCL ramps up manufacturing group for onshoring surge

    The move aligns the firm's pros from different geographies under one fully integrated team.

    By • Jan. 31, 2025
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    Akachin Phonsawat via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Circularity, sustainability provide opportunities: VC lead

    Eduardo Gomez, the head of CRH Ventures, said the firm uses its accelerator programs to find standout startups and potential business partners.

    By • Jan. 29, 2025
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    Courtesy of Harris Health
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    Economic Reports

    9 largest commercial construction starts of December 2024

    Billion-dollar projects including a hospital replacement in Houston and a Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas kicked off even as overall construction activity cooled to close the year.

    By • Jan. 27, 2025
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    skynesher via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by American Express

    American Express is supporting fast technician training with BILT

    More and more businesses are bringing their operations online, and the construction industry is working to keep pace with the business world’s digital transformation.

    Jan. 27, 2025
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    Bevan Goldswain via Getty Images
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    ‘Your main challenge in 2025’: finding workers

    The construction industry needs nearly half a million more workers, particularly those with trades skills and experience, to deliver on project demand, per Associated Builders and Contractors.

    By • Jan. 24, 2025
  • President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2025.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Trump takes action around energy, immigration, tariffs

    The newly sworn-in president issued several executive orders on Monday that could impact contractors.

    By • Jan. 21, 2025
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    Permission granted by American Express
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    Sponsored by American Express

    American Express is connecting contractors to Billd’s extended payment terms for materials purchases

    American Express and Billd are teaming up to help eligible construction companies access working capital through extended payment terms.

    Jan. 21, 2025