Leading index shows builders matching confidence level of 2005

Source: National Association of Home Builders, Washington, D.C.

Builder confidence in the market for newly constructed single-family homes rose three points in October to a level of 64 on the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI)—a level last seen at the end of the housing boom a decade ago.

Read More

Expanded joint employer definition clouds contractor, subcontractor ties

Sources: Associated Builders & Contractors, National Association of Home Builders, Washington, D.C.; National Labor Relations Board; CP staff

Against precedent dating to 1984, a 3-2 NLRB majority redefines “joint employer” in a decision favoring an International Brotherhood of Teamsters local aiming to extend representation from a recycling station bargaining unit—equipment operators and companion staff employed by the facility’s owner—to a subcontractor whose employees perform waste sorting and related services.

Read More

Housing starts again breach pivotal watermark

Source: National Association of Home Builders, Washington, D.C.

Nationwide housing starts surpassed one million in September, the third time this year, according to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Census Bureau figures. Total housing production during the month rose 6.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.017 million units.

Read More

Economists bullish on commercial and industrial work

DBIA officials cite the inherent value design-build methods bring to projects across the construction sectors, including transportation. The Institute honored the Yadkin River Bridge—a 2,900-ft., twin structure along the Interstate 85, Charlotte–Greensboro, N.C., corridor—with a 2014 National Award of Merit. Flatiron Construction Corp. led the design-build team credited with delivering the North Carolina Department of Transportation project under its $136 million budget.

“A combination of low interest rates; wealth effects stemming from a booming stock market and rising home prices; surging energy production; and expanding industrial output has helped position the U.S. economy for more rapid growth during the next several quarters,” says Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “This will lead to more robust recovery in the U.S. nonresidential construction industry, which has also been aided by stable materials prices and improving commercial real estate fundamentals.”

Read More

Precast foundation user takes top NAHB “Green Site” honor

Sources: Superior Walls of America, New Holland, Pa.; CP staff

Convening in Las Vegas for the International Builders’ Show, the National Association of Home Builders presented its “Project of the Year Award for Green Site Development–Single-family Detached” to Clarence, N.Y.-based Natale Builders for Rivera Greens, a local subdivision whose 35 units bear on Superior Walls Xi precast foundations.

Read More

Home builder confidence index approaches 2005 levels

Source: National Association of Home Builders, Washington, D.C.

Builder confidence in the market for new single-family homes rose three points to 59 on the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for August, marking a fourth consecutive monthly gain and bringing the index to its highest level in nearly eight years.

Read More