With fall comes cold weather and harsh work conditions, so it is important to prepare for hidden safety hazards on job sites. Risks of cold-related injuries and illnesses include hypothermia, frostbite and dehydration, which can all lead to lasting adverse health effects. Ice and snow can also present slip and fall risks. Cold weather also brings an elevated risk of construction jobsite fires due to a high number of on-site heaters to keep workers warm. Dehydration is a hidden risk on job sites, caused by sweat evaporating in dry air…
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Women in working in construction reaches record high
According to the National Association of Home Builders, the share of women working in construction has risen to a 20-year high. Recent data puts women’s share of the workforce at 11.3%. From 2024 to 2025, an estimated 31,000 women joined the industry, adding to the 1.37 million total. NAHB reports that this is a wide comeback for women’s participation since the Great Recession. From 2007 to 2010, an estimated 300,000 women left the industry workforce. This increase is largely attributed to more white-collar positions in the industry, such as administrative…
Read MoreNARI introduces a new member benefit
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) introduced a new benefit for its members: the NARI SecureFuture 401(k) Plan. This plan allows NARI member businesses to support their employees without taking on the burden of administrative work. The association explained that this initiative reflects a shift in how it supports its members’ professionalism and business success. NARI cites that, as critical skilled labor is to the industry, this new offering would help member businesses attract and retain valuable staff. This is especially valuable as many NARI member businesses are…
Read MoreABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator decreases in July
On Aug. 11, 2026, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 8.0 months in July 2026. The data originates from an ABC member survey conducted from July 20 to Aug. 4. The reading is down 0.8 months from both a month ago and a year ago. “Backlog fell sharply in July and is down to the lowest level since January,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The data center boom masks the depth of this weakness, as there is a lack of momentum in…
Read MorePrice of framing lumber remains unchanged
According to Madison’s Lumber Price Index, the price of framing lumber was unchanged from the previous week. As of Aug. 7, 2026, prices held at $558.19 per 1,000 board feet. Key factors influencing prices include increased demand, rising tariffs, supply chain bottlenecks and insufficient domestic production. According to the National Association of Home Builders, changes in softwood lumber prices directly impact the price of a new home. This, along with rising wages for construction workers and higher interest rates, is one of the reasons the housing market is experiencing declining…
Read MoreMedian lot value cools off
A new analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported that the national median lot value declined in 2025. As the first barrier to building spec homes, the estimated 4% decrease is a positive trend for builders. While this data varies based on region, the Northeast and West reported record highs and a trend towards smaller lots. Builder concerns over lot shortages decreased since 2021, when it hit an all-time low. “According to the May 2025 NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) survey, 64% of builders rated the…
Read MoreASLA urges for construction workforce stability
A new analysis from the American Society of Landscape Architects highlights the need for construction workforce stability. Recent studies throughout the industry predict that by 2030, the industry will face a gap of millions of skilled trades positions, driven by demographics, slow training pipelines and growing demand for housing, infrastructure, as well as climate-resilient projects, unless we begin the conversation about construction workforce stability. “As design professionals, we need to begin to make workforce stability a normal part of the conversation; not as politics, but as a health, safety and…
Read MoreTexas leads the nation in construction jobs
According to new federal data analyzed by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Texas is leading the nation in construction job growth both annually and monthly. Between June 2025 and June 2026, the state added 24,800 construction jobs, marking a 2.7% increase. The expansion reflects broader regional strength in residential building. Recent Housing Starts data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the South, which includes Texas, accounted for the majority of new privately-owned home construction nationwide. In June, 741,000 privately-owned housing starts were recorded in the South out…
Read MoreConstruction drives job market growth in Louisiana
Louisiana added 16,700 jobs over the past year, ranking fourth in the South, with much of the growth coming from construction. This is a record high for the state, with payrolls topping two million employees for the first time. “The state had a record number of economic announcements last year and all of those look like they’re flowing from announcement into actual hiring of construction workers,” said Adam Knapp with Leaders for a Better Louisiana. “It’s across the state.” “Our growth and profits have increased dramatically over the past couple…
Read MoreRemodeling market remains positive in second quarter
In the second quarter of 2026, the National Association of Home Builders Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 61, down one point compared to the previous quarter. Even with this slight decline, remodeler sentiment remains the standout sector within the housing industry. With current mortgage rates above the median outstanding rate for existing homeowners, the incentive to remodel instead of purchasing a new home persists due to this lock-in effect. The RMI is based on a survey that asks remodelers to rate various aspects of the residential remodeling…
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