Economy

  • A worker helps build a support column using steel rebar in Miami, Fla.
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    Joe Raedle/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    New steel, aluminum tariffs will push construction costs higher

    Fresh 50% duties on the critical building materials will inflate prices across a range of commercial projects, according to panelists at a recent webinar hosted by Skanska.

    By • June 5, 2025
  • Scaffolding around apartment construction site
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    csfotoimages via Getty Images
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    Apartment developers gear up for tariffs

    Firms are dusting off their playbooks from the first Trump administration, which recommend ordering parts early and sourcing from different companies.

    By Leslie Shaver • June 5, 2025
  • Construction workers begin to rebuild a business
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Private construction pullback drags down overall spending

    Nearly 22% of contractors have reported project delays or cancellations due to tariff-related impacts, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.

    By • June 3, 2025
  • construction budgeting
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    Fotogrin/shutterstock.com

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    Sponsored by American Global

    Guaranteed cost vs. loss-sensitive plans: How the experience modifier impacts construction insurance cost

    Control costs and stay competitive. Understand how Ex Mod functions in different insurance programs.

    By Nitsel Mendez, Senior Vice President • June 2, 2025
  • A wide shot of a solar panel production line with robot arms in a factory.
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    SweetBunFactory via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    IRA tax credits spur construction, manufacturing in red and blue states

    Repealing the Inflation Reduction Act could slow our ability to build more power generation and increase the risk of rolling blackouts and higher energy costs.

    By Emmanuel Martin-Lauzer • May 30, 2025
  • A rendering shows a busy streetscape in front of the future Etihad Park stadium in Willets Park, Queens.
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    Courtesy of Turner Construction
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    The top commercial contractors of 2025

    Turner maintained the No. 1 spot for another year, Bechtel reclaimed second place and HITT made its top 10 debut after a huge revenue boost.

    By • May 29, 2025
  • In an aerial view, shipping containers are stacked on a dock at the Port of Oakland on December 09, 2024 in Oakland, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    It’s not too late to offset tariffs on existing jobs

    Though increased costs seem inevitable, there are steps owners can take to mitigate potential impacts, even on current projects, write two attorneys.

    By Stacy Bercun Bohm and Trav Clark • May 28, 2025
  • Aerial view of rooftops in a suburban neighborhood. A street curves through the houses.
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    Haizhan Zheng via Getty Images
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    The top 10 home builders of 2025

    SH Residential Holdings — the U.S. subsidiary of Japanese home builder Sekisui House — moved from No. 20 to No. 6 this year following its acquisition of M.D.C. Holdings.

    By Mary Salmonsen • May 28, 2025
  • Workers install a temporary bridge along the east side of Tonelle Avenue in New York City.
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    Courtesy of Gateway Development Commission
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    Economic Reports

    The 9 largest commercial construction starts of April 2025

    Economic uncertainty and April’s tariff announcements caused groundbreakings to drop sharply, according to a new report from Dodge Construction Network.

    By • May 27, 2025
  • Heavy machinery and workers working on the construction of a new viaduct along the north of downtown Miami
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    CHUYN via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Private delays, abandonments drive project stress higher

    Over the past 12 months, non-public developments placed on hold jumped 40%, while abandonments increased 14.1%, according to ConstructConnect.

    By • May 20, 2025
  • Construction workers work on a shopping center amid scaffolding.
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    Scott Barbour via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction costs dip, but tariffs hike some materials’ prices

    Inputs declined overall in April due to falling energy prices, but steel and copper rose significantly while nonresidential costs continued their upward march.

    By • May 16, 2025
  • an exterior view of the US Capitol building
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    House committee advances bill with ‘big three’ business tax relief

    The bill advanced Wednesday by the House Ways and Means Committee would extend some business-friendly tax cuts from President Donald Trump’s first term.  

    By Maura Webber Sadovi • May 15, 2025
  • Stanley Black and Decker power tools on display.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Stanley Black & Decker raises prices to mitigate tariff impacts

    The company is also making supply chain moves to become more compliant with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement and reduce its manufacturing footprint in China.

    By Nathan Owens • May 14, 2025
  • People seen walking down Wall Street.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Jacobs remains ‘well positioned’ amid economic uncertainty

    CEO Bob Pragada said the impact of White House changes has been minimal and tariffs have provided the firm with consulting and advisory work.

    By • May 14, 2025
  • An ironworker on a construction jobsite.
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    kali9 via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Backlog hits nearly 2-year high despite tariff worries

    Contractors’ expectations for their profit margins grew, but the gains in infrastructure building backlog were erased.

    By • May 14, 2025
  • A rendering of a bridge over a river.
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    Courtesy of Skanska
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    Skanska downgrades US construction outlook

    CEO Anders Danielsson said in an earnings call that customers have taken longer to decide to invest amid economic uncertainty, but its pipeline remains strong.

    By • Updated May 13, 2025
  • Steam rising from a power plant with construction equipment in the foreground.
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    Gerville via Getty Images
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    Data centers, but little else, prop up construction planning

    The Dodge Momentum Index rose 0.9% in April as tariffs and policy uncertainty kept many owners and developers on the sidelines.

    By • May 12, 2025
  • Aerial shot of TSMC's $40 billion construction project in Phoenix, Arizona
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    Permission granted by TSMC
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    Opinion

    Why Trump’s tariffs alone aren’t enough

    Manufacturing projects are complex. Levies aimed at bringing these builds back to the U.S. need to be paired with broader initiatives, writes one construction executive. 

    By Brian Gallagher • May 9, 2025
  • A sign outside of a city building reads "Available" and "office/retail" as people walk by on the sidewalk
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    Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
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    Tariffs trigger pauses on some retail, industrial real estate deals

    It’s too soon to know exactly how tariffs will impact commercial real estate. But some cracks are emerging in the U.S. retail and industrial sectors, CBRE’s Whitley Collins says.

    By Maura Webber Sadovi • May 8, 2025
  • Flags fly at full staff outside the NYSE with the Wall ST sign in the foreground
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    Kena Betancur via Getty Images
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    AECOM sees delays, deferrals tied to Trump policies

    Although some clients have postponed decisions due to uncertainty in Washington, in a Q2 earnings call CEO Troy Rudd maintained he is bullish on the president’s deregulation push.

    By • May 7, 2025
  • An aerial view of State Highway 6 in Brazos County, Texas.
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    Courtesy of Fluor
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    Fluor says most customers forging ahead despite tariffs

    Some clients are awaiting “market clarity and cost certainty” before making final investment decisions, new CEO Jim Breuer said in an earnings call.

    By • May 6, 2025
  • Crews work on a construction site in Temple, Texas.
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    Courtesy of Meta
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    Economic Reports

    Construction spending plummets on tariff fears

    Data centers are “perhaps the only remaining source of industry momentum” as most private sectors pulled back in March, according to ABC’s chief economist.

    By • May 2, 2025
  • a woman hangs a Help Wanted sign on a window
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    YinYang via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction hiring slows to lowest rate ever recorded

    New job numbers point to a decreased demand for labor across the industry, according to Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis.

    By • May 1, 2025
  • headshot of Brett Helm
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    Courtesy of Graycor
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    Q&A

    Tariff fears ‘settling down’: Graycor Southwest lead

    Brett Helm talks with Construction Dive about policy worries, semiconductor competition and power constraints for data centers.

    By • May 1, 2025
  • immigration
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    ‘I can’t find any help’: Employers scramble to solve worker shortages caused by immigration crackdowns

    President Donald Trump recently said the government would seek to let some undocumented persons return to the country “if they’re good,” but he was scant on details.

    By Ryan Golden • May 1, 2025