New data from HireQuest indicates that the 2026 labor market is moving toward stability after several years of rapid swings in hiring trends. Survey results from more than 400 offices show that time-to-fill rates have largely steadied, job applications remain consistent and employers are leaning more heavily on flexible hiring models like contract and fractional roles. The market is shifting toward skill-based hiring, with companies emphasizing flexibility, job fit and roles that cannot be automated. Trends such as reshoring, easing tariffs and advancements in AI-driven recruiting are also influencing demand,…
Read MoreCategory: Building News
The State of the Construction Economy: What to Expect in 2026
The construction industry is heading into 2026 with uncertainty, but also with growing opportunities in reconstruction, adaptive reuse and major technology-driven projects. While high mortgage rates, rising materials costs and labor shortages continue to challenge builders, activity is shifting toward redevelopment of aging buildings and creating new housing through conversions and ADUs. Economists note that trends like office-to-residential conversions and reconstruction work are becoming essential strategies as traditional residential demand softens. At the same time, long-term volatility in interest rates and tariffs continues to influence costs and delay projects, reinforcing…
Read MorePrice Cuts on New Construction as Homebuilder Sentiment Remains Low
Homebuilders are increasingly turning to price cuts and incentives as economic uncertainty continues to weigh on buyer demand. In November, 41% of builders reduced prices, the highest share in five years, while nearly two-thirds used additional incentives such as mortgage-rate buy-downs. Builder confidence remains weak, held back by high inflation, volatile mortgage rates and lingering effects of the prolonged government shutdown, which disrupted key economic data releases. Industry leaders note that even with mortgage rates easing slightly, many buyers remain hesitant due to job-market concerns and broader financial uncertainty. As…
Read MoreRemodeling rising to the top of the residential construction market
Remodeling activity including firms and employment is growing in the residential construction market. The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) analyzed the quarter-century of Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) data and found that the rise of remodelers is not a a short term trends, but a possible market shift. As the U.S. housing economy is currently unfavorable for middle class homeowners looking for starter or move-up homes. Life still happens to homeowners for example welcoming a child or need for multigenerational living, therefore the demand is there for more…
Read MorePutting Building Science into Practice
Building science expert Allison Bailes III, PhD—founder of Energy Vanguard and author of A House Needs to Breathe…Or Does It?—has long been known for educating professionals and homeowners about how buildings truly function. Recently, Bailes applied his own research to a personal project: retrofitting his 1961 home in Atlanta, Georgia. The renovation allowed him to test innovative building products, such as InSoFast insulation panels, inverter-driven Mitsubishi heat pumps, air quality monitors, and bio-based spray foam insulation. Each choice reflected his core principle that any product must align with sound building…
Read MoreSustainable and wood-based market to expand
The global facade materials market, exterior building materials, is increasing in demand fir sustainable and wood-based solutions. This is driving incredible growth expected throughout 2035. According to Future Market Insights (FMI), the market is valued at USD 272.0 billion in 2025. This is predicted to grow to USD 565.8 billion by 2035 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. Currently, wood dominates the market with 36.9% revenue share in 2025. It is applauded for its consistency throughout the market, natural appeal, renewability and engineered enhancements. While metal, glass,…
Read MoreTariffs to drive up home remodeling prices
New tariffs on imported cabinets, vanities and lumber will make costs rise for remodelers nationwide, and in turn rise for their clients. Some remodelers have avoided relaying this cost to their buyers. However, with additional tariffs going into place in the start of 2026, some simply don’t have the margins for wiggle room. Melina Meyer, project manager with Coast Design and Build elaborated, “Say, for instance, a kitchen right now that is running between 35 to $50,000, is going to jump, starting at 45 to $65,000,” said Meyer. Meyer said…
Read MoreNine major housing markets see price declines in August
U.S. home prices rose just 1.5% in August compared to a year earlier, marking the slowest pace of growth since 2023, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index. This slowdown, down from July’s 1.7% increase, signals that the post-pandemic housing boom continues to lose momentum. In fact, nine of the 20 major metro areas tracked saw year-over-year price declines, and for the fourth consecutive month, home values failed to keep up with inflation. With inflation rising 2.9% during the same period, homeowners effectively lost purchasing power, while potential…
Read MoreHardwood and lumber companies ask for tariff relief
Hardwood and lumber companies across the U.S are asking for federal support because of the effect of tariffs on their businesses. The Hardwood Federation sent out a letter to the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Treasury and the United States Trade Representative. This was sent on Oct. 14, the same day the tariffs took into effect. In the letter the Hardwood Federation cited issues in hardwood exports including how fom 2022-2024, hardwood exports product exports decreased $930 million and hardwood lumber exports fell 20% or $663 million. They also included the…
Read MoreThe Ongoing Strength in Luxury Remodel Segment
Due to the ongoing government shutdown, much of the key federal economic data used by businesses to make informed decisions, such as housing statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, has been temporarily unavailable. As a result, analysts are relying on private reports, such as the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing’s data, to assess current market trends. This report focuses on North American luxury homes, defined by price relative to income in specific regions. For instance, luxury homes range from about $784,000 in Philadelphia to over $2.2 million in Boulder, Colorado.…
Read More