News for Construction Outlook
What are Profitable Contractors Doing?
Not everyone could make it to the AGC of America Annual Convention in Vegas a couple weeks ago. Thus we have brought the best parts to you. Three seminars in particular were packed to the gills with AGC members from across the country.
Those seminars were titled:What Do Most Profitable Contract...
Posted on: 04/14/2011
State Budget Battles: What's in it for Construction?
As this year’s legislative session in Olympia heads into the home stretch everyone’s attention is on the budget. There are three distinct biennial budgets crafted by the Legislature – Operating Capital and Transportation – and each one has impact on construction and the politics among the three ...
Posted on: 04/13/2011
AGC Members Get the Scoop on Upcoming JBLM Work
A $103 million brigade complex a $49 million parking apron and a $9 million access road were among the future projects at Joint Base Lewis McChord described by military officials at a recent AGC Southern District event in Fife. For more info on these and hundreds of not-yet-advertised public pro...
Posted on: 03/01/2011
AGC Members Get the Scoop on Upcoming JBLM Work
A $103 million brigade complex a $49 million parking apron and a $9 million access road were among the future projects at Joint Base Lewis McChord described by military officials at a recent AGC Southern District event in Fife. For more info on these and hundreds of not-yet-advertised public pro...
Posted on: 03/01/2011
Poll: WA State Contractors say 2013 is the Year
The rebound for the construction industry is still a couple years away according to a poll of Washington State contractors by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America. Plus the poll revealed that Washington contractors are more likely to work on BIM and LEED projects and less likely to...
Posted on: 02/01/2011
Materials Prices Jump in December; Economist Warns \Worse to Come\
Construction firms are facing increasing pressure as nearly every material used by contractors rose in price in December while bid prices for new buildings remained flat according to an analysis of December producer price index figures released by AGC of America. Association officials warned tha...
Posted on: 01/19/2011
$4 Billion in Construction Spending at Joint Base Lewis-McChord
A new report estimates that more than $3.9 billion will have been spent on construction at the base between 2006 and 2016. Employment spin-off related to the growth at JBLM is projected to increase during the next two years. Get details on the report at JBLM. The report is also linked on AGC’s “...
Posted on: 01/04/2011
How Are Public and Private Owners Positioned for the Future?
Forecasts indicate that the economy will meander in a generally positive direction next year. Now’s a good time to check in with some of the region’s largest public and private owners and we will do so at the AGC’s Annual Convention Jan. 28. How are they positioning their organizations? What stra...
Posted on: 01/04/2011
Cost of Construction Material up 4.6% from Last Year
The producer price index (PPI) for inputs to construction climbed 0.5% in the last month and 4.6% in the last year. Major cost drivers included diesel fuel 4.8% and 18.5%; copper and brass mill shapes 5.6% and 16%; and aluminum mill shapes 3.5% and 14%. The index for steel mill products fell 1.2%...
Posted on: 12/15/2010
More Projects on \Where's the Work?\
The Transportation Improvement Board announced its list of dozens of 2012 funded applications which includes a $1.8 million project in Colville and a $650K project in Granite Falls. Find the link to the complete list as well as many other future projects on AGC’s Where’s the Work? webpage.
Posted on: 12/15/2010
Rising Materials Prices, Flat Finished Project Prices Squeezing Industry
Contractors continue to be squeezed by rising prices for key construction materials and flat prices for what they can charge for finished projects according to an analysis of October Producer Price Index figures released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Prices for materials used...
Posted on: 11/30/2010
More Future Projects Posted on Where's the Work? Webpage
The $30 million SW 27th Street/Strander Boulevard connection project in Renton and the $16 million water reclamation and reuse project at WSU are some of the in-the-works projects that can be found via AGC’s Where’s the Work? webpage. Click Where’s the Work? for more info (log-in required).
Posted on: 11/30/2010
Construction Starts Up 27 Percent Next Year, Forecasts McGraw-Hill
Looking for some positive news? Construction starts in Washington will be up 27% next year according to McGraw-Hill Construction. The forecast is broken down by construction sector. Some examples: Office construction up 74 percent; road construction down 0.2 percent; healthcare construction u...
Posted on: 11/16/2010
Where's the Work?
Don’t forget to check out AGC’s Where’s the Work? webpage. We’ve gathered valuable economic information such as the 2011 Construction Forecast described above the project lists provided by federal agencies at the recent Federal Facilities Meeting and links to the future construction plans of man...
Posted on: 11/16/2010
Squeeze on Contractors: Material Prices Up, Finished Prices Flat
From AGC of America Economist Ken Simonson: The Producer Price Index (PPI) for inputs to construction increased 3.8% over 12 months. The rise adds to an ongoing squeeze on contractors as PPIs for finished nonresidential buildings and subcontractors’ work which include overhead and profit have fal...
Posted on: 10/19/2010
And Finally…Some Happy Construction News for a Change
It seems that every news story that involved construction over the last couple of years has been a downer focusing on the economic challenges facing the industry. Well here’s some construction-related news that is actually heartwarming: San Diego construction workers subdue a gunman and save ki...
Posted on: 10/19/2010
Bad Recipe: Input Costs Up, Finished Prices Flat
FLF members with AGC of Americas Chief Economist Ken Simonson in the middle.
“If you’re in the industry now if you’ve survived to this point you have great career prospects. The construction industry will get back to average levels and you’ll be in a great position.”
National AGC Economist K...
Posted on: 09/24/2010
Dino Rossi Warns of \Fiscal Cliff\ at Southern District Dinner
Dino Rossi visits with “Fast” Eddie Zawislak of Coast Crane Co. at the AGC Southern District Membership Dinner.
“A common theme I hear from voters during this campaign is opportunities are decreasing as government increases.”
This statement is from Dino Rossi GOP candidate for US Senate who d...
Posted on: 09/21/2010
Which Construction Sectors Up, Down in 2011?
On Nov. 10 at the Maplewood Greens Country Club in Renton McGraw Hill’s construction economist Cliff Brewis will present state-level construction forecasting data by sector. Hear info that will help you identify key opportunities target growth markets and make critical decisions. Register at For...
Posted on: 09/08/2010
Materials and Bid Prices Flatten - For Now
By Ken Simonson Chief Economist AGC of America
Have contractors stopped buying high and selling low? Maybe for the moment but the pattern over the past year is still unfavorable.
The latest producer price indexes (PPIs) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that most materials costs were f...
Posted on: 08/24/2010
Ten-Point Program for City's Construction Job Recovery
What else in addition to infrastructure investments can government do to stimulate the economy particularly the struggling construction sector? Justifiably so government entities at all levels are asking that question. AGC had the opportunity to share some ideas with the City of Seattle and wha...
Posted on: 08/24/2010
Few Bright Spots for Construction, Notes Ken Simonson
An extensive review of the current economic landscape shows specific pockets of increasing construction activity but overall modest growth at best. AIA billings index which has recently been moving up is expected to backslide with the lack of available credit the main obstacle. See AGC of Ameri...
Posted on: 06/15/2010
Shortage of Paint Causing Some Road Project Delays
A shortage of material used in the production of pavement marking materials is causing a delay of some road work.
In light of the shortage AGC of America last week contacted the Federal Highway Administration urging them to work with state DOTs to develop a contingency plan to ensure that critic...
Posted on: 05/25/2010
Favorable Bids Turning into More Projects
Gov. Gregoire certified more projects to receive federal stimulus funds due to favorable bids on earlier projects. They are Airway Heights – Lawson Street Reconstruction; Bainbridge Island – Manitou Beach Drive and N. Madison Avenue Overlay – Phase 1; King Co. Transit – Bus Replacement; Cheney – ...
Posted on: 05/25/2010
More Projects on Where's the Work? Webpage
UW’s Foster School of Business Phase II the North Seattle Community College Improvement project and the Tacoma Rail - Blakeslee Junction project are just a few of the many not-yet-advertised projects that can be found via AGCs Wheres the Work? webpage. The webpage provides links directly to lists...