Tag Archive for ‘construction’

Initial and Continuing Claims Decline

Weekly initial jobless claims decreased in the week ending August 1 after two weeks of increases. Continuing claims, which lags initial jobless claims by one week, dropped by 844,000 in the week ending July 25. Although jobless claims remain at historically high levels, the decreases in initial jobless claims and continuing claims indicate that labor market is recovering gradually from… Read More ›

Jobless Claims Soar Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak

The U.S. Department of Labor released Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report this morning. Surprising but expected, the weekly initial claims on unemployment insurance surged in the week ending March 21 due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. In the week ending March 21, the number of people who applied for unemployment benefits, known as jobless claims, soared to a… Read More ›

Custom Home Building Annual Share

According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), the custom home share declined to 19.5 percent of all single-family homes started in 2018—lowest since mid-2000. Contractor-built or owner-built houses – that together make up the custom home market – are built one at a time for owner occupancy on owner’s land with either the owner or a… Read More ›

Builders’ and Remodelers’ Use of Technology in 2019

According to a recent NAHB study, although use of some factory-produced components like trusses has become widespread, the newer and more innovative types of construction technology, such as 3D printing and robots, have so far penetrated the residential market only to a very limited extent.  This is true for both single-family builders and residential remodelers. Data on use of technology… Read More ›

Most Common Siding On New Homes are Vinyl and Stucco in 2018

According to the data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) the most common exterior wall materials on homes started in 2018 were vinyl siding and stucco. Vinyl siding and Stucco (26 percent each) were used on new homes started in 2018, brick or brick veneer (21 percent), and fiber cement siding (such as Hardiplank or Hardiboard) (20 percent). Far smaller shares… Read More ›

Highest Paid Occupations in Construction in 2018

According to the 2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey data and analysis by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), half of payroll workers in construction earn more than $47,290 and the top 25% make at least $66,290. In comparison, the U.S. median wage is $38,640, while the top quartile (top 25%) makes at least $62,510…. Read More ›

Labor Shortages Still Hurting Affordability

Labor and subcontractor shortages remained widespread in July of 2019 and are continuing to impact the industry in a number of ways—including putting additional upward pressure on new home prices— according to results from special questions on the survey for the NAHB/Well Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).  In July, the HMI survey asked builders specifically about shortages in 16 different occupations. … Read More ›

HBGI Shows Multifamily Gains in Small Towns and Rural Areas

NAHB analysis of multifamily construction permits over the last four quarters indicates relatively higher growth rates in less populated areas. A prior post reviewed the newly released Home Building Geography Index (HBGI) through the perspective of single-family permit activity. This post examines multifamily construction as classified into the seven HBGI regional geographies, as differentiated by urban density. Economic theory suggests… Read More ›