Sustainable Materials That May Make Their Way Into the Future Home Building Market

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Current research in sustainable building materials is producing several notable advances in the type of material that may eventually become commonplace in the home building market. New approaches to construction materials could result in products that dramatically improve residential sustainability and energy efficiency. Here are some of the sustainable building materials and practices that could […]

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Midsize Construction Firms Expecting More Growth and Business in Coming Year

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The outlook for midsize construction firms in 2015 is optimistic, with almost half believing that the construction sector will expand in the coming year. In a survey conducted by GE Capital, 47 percent of survey respondents reported that business will be brighter for midsize construction firms in 2015, with growth expected throughout the year. The

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Growth in Institutional Construction Detected for the First Time in 6 Years

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For the first time since 2008, the institutional construction sector is showing signs of growth. Institutional construction increased a modest 4 percent in 2014, in contrast to several years of either stagnation or declines, beginning in 2009. The uptick in the institutional sector was reported in the 2015 Dodge Construction Outlook, produced by Dodge Data

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Multifamily Construction Halted in South Carolina’s Rock Hill Due to Strained City Resources

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A recent boom in multifamily construction in the South Carolina city of Rock Hill has had the unexpected result of straining the city’s resources beyond their limit. In response, the city has ceased most multifamily construction projects until late 2015. The moratorium on South Carolina construction is expected to last until September 2015. It applies

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Unemployment in Construction Lowest in Years, Though Qualified Labor Is Still Hard to Find

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After a lengthy period of limited opportunity and uncertainty, unemployment in construction is at its lowest point since 2006. Despite the positive upturn in construction employment, however, some industries and geographical areas are still experiencing unemployment in construction. Qualified construction workers are still in short supply in areas where oil drilling and petroleum production have been

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Denver Condo Construction May Increase if Challenge to Defects Law Passes

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A strict Colorado law has restricted construction of condominiums in Denver for the past several years, but recent challenges to that law could result in a more favorable environment for builders and an increase in Denver construction. The Colorado construction defects law of 2005 protects consumers from defects and shortcomings in construction projects. However, the

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Massive Renovation Planned for Smithsonian on National Mall

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A planned $2 billion renovation to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. will renovate one of the National Mall’s most iconic buildings. In November 2014, the Smithsonian revealed plans for large-scale renovations to the institution’s administrative building, commonly known as the Castle because of its resemblance to a familiar medieval structure type. The extensive renovation

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New Study Explores What Homebuyers Want in an Energy Efficient Home

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Interest in residential energy efficiency continues to rise among potential homebuyers in the United States. A new study reveals what homeowners are looking for in an energy efficient home and how likely they are to invest in improved residential efficiency. The 2014 Energy Pulse study, conducted and released by Shelton Group, contains in-depth information on

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Rental Apartment Construction Booming Across the U.S. at a 27-Year High

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Rental apartment construction in the U.S. has increased to a level not seen since 1987, according to new industry numbers reported in the Wall Street Journal. Multifamily apartment construction is at its highest level in some 27 years, with 330,000 multifamily apartment units under construction as of October 2014. This indicates a boom in apartment

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Non-Residential Spending on the Rise Reflects Construction Recovery

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New statistics covering non-residential construction spending show signs of continuing recovery in the construction industry. This area of construction spending increased 1 percent in October 2014, resulting in a 4.3 percent increase for the year to date, according to a December 2, 2014 report by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Commerce Department report further

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