Masonry materials and their performance are effected by cold weather conditions. When temperatures hit 40*F Masonry Contractors should have a cold weather plan for implementing proper procedures for maximum performance of materials in cold weather conditions. Read more from IMI and NCMA - TEK 3-01C.

Developers are eager to build more apartments, seeing strong performance in both rents and sales, drawing more investors in 2020 into the multifamily business from other real estate sectors. These rent increases gauge commercial real estate value.

Permits, which are a good barometer of future production, continue to rise. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 560,000 multifamily units were permitted in November, an increase of 6.1% from October and up 15% from last year. Read more.

Total Construction Starts Flat in December with a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $879.3 billion, which is up after falling in November by 14%. Across 2021 total construction starts rose by 12% compared to 2020. “The increase in construction starts was impressive given the many challenges the industry faced during the year” stated Richard Branch, chief economist for Dodge Construction Network. “While these challenges will remain in 2022, the industry is well-positioned to make further gains fed by a growing pipeline of nonresidential projects waiting to break ground and the infusion of money directed towards infrastructure.”

Dodge Momentum Index Declines in December falling 3% to 166.4, down from the revised November reading of 170.7. Throughout the year, the overall Momentum Index increased 23%, the strongest annual gain since 2005. A total of 21 projects with a value of $100 million or more entered planning in December. The signs continue that construction activity will improve in 2022, and show a more balanced growth than 2021. 

The economy is on the mend and growth is projected into 2022. The Construction Industry Outlook 2022 E-Book will help you plan your strategy for 2022 and beyond with the latest forecasts and insights.

Business conditions at architecture firms end the year on a strong note with an ABI Billings score of 52.0 in December (any score over 50 indicates billings growth). Firms continue to report a robust supply of work in the pipeline, with inquiries into new work and the value of new design contracts both remaining strong, and backlogs remaining near the highest levels ever reported since 2010, at an average of 6.5 months.

Although the prices of some raw materials fell in December, costs are still sky high. Overall, the price of construction materials jumped nearly 20% in 2021 the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) recently reported. Read more.

Block shines as wood frame sees increase in both builders and property casualty costs, and gains advantage as insurers recognize the risks of wood frame buildings with new data showing the competitive nature of block construction. Read more .

Applications for the CMU Checkoff Board are being accepted by the Department of Commerce. Interested individuals must apply by March 11, 2022 and have been a manufacturer of concrete masonry in the past 180 days. Visit the CMU Checkoff website for more details and to access the application.

On November 15, 2021 President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R.3684). What makes federally funded construction jobs "good" is a concept called prevailing wage, a minimum standard that federal construction contractors have to pay workers.

Labor economist at Colorado State University, Kevin Duncan, said "Because labor costs are a relatively small percent of overall construction costs, prevailing wages don’t have an impact on overall costs, while research shows they tend to lead to the hiring of more skilled workers, greater productivity and better recruiting into apprenticeship programs, which could help meet the need for construction labor.  Read more.

Site Enterprises, Inc. of Pleasantville and On Target Staffing of North Brunswick were investigated for $162,000 in unpaid wages due to nearly 300 workers. Read more. A&I Electrical Construction, LLC was cited for failure to pay prevailing wage on a public works project, among other violations totaling $370,418. Read more. 

Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said, "Our state’s wage and hour laws exist to protect workers, businesses, and taxpayers." “Performing public work is a privilege, not a right. We are making sure it pays to follow the rules."

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