flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

ABC predicts modest growth for 2017 nonresidential construction sector; warns of vulnerability for contractor

Market Data

ABC predicts modest growth for 2017 nonresidential construction sector; warns of vulnerability for contractor

“The U.S. economy continues to expand amid a weak global economy and, despite risks to the construction industry, nonresidential spending should expand 3.5 percent in 2017,” says ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.


By ABC | December 13, 2016

PIxabay Public Domain

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) forecasts a slowdown of growth in the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industries in 2017. While contractors are vulnerable to rising commodity prices and potential interest rate increases in 2017, the middling consumer-led recovery should still lead to modest growth in construction spending and employment.

“The U.S. economy continues to expand amid a weak global economy and, despite risks to the construction industry, nonresidential spending should expand 3.5 percent in 2017,” says ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu in a press release. “For more than two years, the Federal Reserve has been able to focus heavily on stimulating economic growth and moving the nation toward full employment. However, as commodity prices, including energy prices, firm up and labor costs march higher, the Federal Reserve will need to be more concerned about rising inflation expectations going forward.

“Contractors also should be prepared for increases in commodity prices, which could translate into further stagnation in construction spending volumes if the purchasers of construction services are not prepared for related cost increases,” warns Basu.

However, the average age of all fixed assets, including structures like factories and hospitals, currently stands at 23 years, which is the oldest on record dating back to 1925. Most enterprises realize they will need to replace a lot of their capital stock in the near future, meaning there is a bullish scenario that could take place.

Basu’s full forecast is available in the December issue of ABC’s Construction Executive magazine, along with the regional outlook for commercial and industrial construction by Dr. Bernard Markstein, president and chief economist of Markstein Advisors, who conducts state-level economic analysis for ABC. 

 

Related Stories

Industry Research | Dec 28, 2022

Following a strong year, design and construction firms view 2023 cautiously

The economy and inflation are the biggest concerns for U.S. architecture, construction, and engineering firms in 2023, according to a recent survey of AEC professionals by the editors of Building Design+Construction.

Self-Storage Facilities | Dec 16, 2022

Self-storage development booms in high multifamily construction areas

A 2022 RentCafe analysis finds that self-storage units swelled in conjunction with metros’ growth in apartment complexes.

Market Data | Dec 13, 2022

Contractors' backlog of work reaches three-year high

U.S. construction firms have, on average, 9.2 months of work in the pipeline, according to ABC's latest Construction Backlog Indicator. 

Contractors | Dec 6, 2022

Slow payments cost the construction industry $208 billion in 2022

The cost of floating payments for wages and invoices represents $208 billion in excess cost to the construction industry, a 53% increase from 2021, according to a survey by Rabbet, a provider of construction finance software.

Mass Timber | Dec 1, 2022

Cross laminated timber market forecast to more than triple by end of decade

Cross laminated timber (CLT) is gaining acceptance as an eco-friendly building material, a trend that will propel its growth through the end of the 2020s. The CLT market is projected to more than triple from $1.11 billion in 2021 to $3.72 billion by 2030, according to a report from Polaris Market Research.

Market Data | Nov 15, 2022

Construction demand will be a double-edged sword in 2023

Skanska’s latest forecast sees shorter lead times and receding inflation, but the industry isn’t out of the woods yet.

Reconstruction & Renovation | Nov 8, 2022

Renovation work outpaces new construction for first time in two decades

Renovations of older buildings in U.S. cities recently hit a record high as reflected in architecture firm billings, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Market Data | Nov 3, 2022

Building material prices have become the calm in America’s economic storm

Linesight’s latest quarterly report predicts stability (mostly) through the first half of 2023

Building Team | Nov 1, 2022

Nonresidential construction spending increases slightly in September, says ABC

National nonresidential construction spending was up by 0.5% in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Hotel Facilities | Oct 31, 2022

These three hoteliers make up two-thirds of all new hotel development in the U.S.

With a combined 3,523 projects and 400,490 rooms in the pipeline, Marriott, Hilton, and InterContinental dominate the U.S. hotel construction sector.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category

Construction Costs

New download: BD+C's May 2024 Market Intelligence Report

Building Design+Construction's monthly Market Intelligence Report offers a snapshot of the health of the U.S. building construction industry, including the commercial, multifamily, institutional, and industrial building sectors. This report tracks the latest metrics related to construction spending, demand for design services, contractor backlogs, and material price trends.




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021