WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 3 – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Chief Economist Anirban Basu, American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chief Economist Kermit Baker and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chief Economist David Crowe predicted continued construction industry growth in 2016 today during a joint economic
forecast web conference.
“The nonresidential construction sector gained momentum over the last year and should continue to expand into 2016,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The construction industry has benefited from increased stability stemming from low materials prices and greater certainty regarding federal budgeting and monetary policy, although a lack of appropriately skilled labor will remain a challenge for contractors. ABC predicts the nonresidential construction segment will experience 7 percent nominal growth in 2016.”
“Led by tremendous demand for energy-efficient spaces, spending on home improvements is on track to reach an all-time high by year’s end,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “The office and retail sectors are expected to lead the commercial real estate market in 2016 with near double-digit increases in construction spending expected.”
“We expect the residential construction sector to continue its gradual recovery as we head into 2016,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “Steady employment and economic growth, along with attractive mortgage rates and home prices will keep the sector on an upward trajectory as we go forward, however persistent headwinds including labor and lot shortages will continue to hinder a more robust recovery.”
Each economist discussed leading, present and future indicators for sector performance, including ABC’s
Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) and
Construction Confidence Index (CCI), AIA’s
Architecture Billings Index (ABI) and
Consensus Construction Forecast and the NAHB/Wells Fargo
Housing Market Index (HMI).
An archived version of today’s web conference is available
here.
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About Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
ABC is a national construction industry trade association representing nearly 21,000 chapter members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably and for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at
abc.org.
About The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Founded in 1857, AIA consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit
aia.org.
About The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
NAHB is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB’s builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units this year. Visit
nahb.org.