Findings from the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) show that contractor activity has held steady throughout Q2 despite market growth softening. Current concerns include tariff and labor impact, but the outdoor materials market and demand for energy-efficient projects saw gains higher than anticipated. With data pointing to an increase in home improvement projects under $5k and a decrease in projects over $100k, the findings suggest homeowners are prioritizing inexpensive summer projects that take advantage of sunny weather or optimize efficiency in expecting the heat wave. Read More
Read MoreCategory: Industry News
MacArthur Co. Acquires Sprenger Midwest
MacArthur Co announced that they have acquired the building products wholesaler, Sprenger Midwest. Sprenger Midwest was established in 1979 and headquartered in Sioux Falls. MacArthur Co., is also the parent company of Weekes Forest Products, a wood and building products material distributer. “We look forward to partnering with Weekes Forest Products,” said Steve Sprenger, president of Sprenger Midwest Wholesale. “Both companies have the same values of honesty, along with high levels of customer service and trust. We do what we say we are going to do. I am proud of…
Read MoreSurveys offer glimpse into home remodeling, improvement sentiment
Staying up to date with consumer interest is of vital importance in the remodeling industry, and luckily the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) and the Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) at Harvard University have released surveys that detail what statistically receives the most attention from homeowners pursuing renovations. NAHB survey results found a slight decrease in measures from the first quarter, especially in the western part of the country despite an overall positive sentiment among the remodeling market. Directors at Harvard’s Remodeling Futures Program also pitched in their views…
Read MoreTexas timber industry eyes new opportunities amid steady markets
In the state of Texas, the timber industry continues to expand its economic impact. Continued contributions in homebuilding activity and production alongside new developments of forest management innovate the industry. Coupled with the usage of mass timber in place of concrete or steel, reinvestments and mill expansions surge confidence within Texas’ timber industry while housing markets slow down nationally. Facing such a shift, the state has adapted and continues to be a dominant force in residential construction by tapping into increasingly appealing markets such as energy-efficient homes and multifamily buildings,…
Read MoreConstruction Employment: A Tale of Two Cities
The U.S. construction industry has seen uneven growth, with employment rising in half of metro areas but stalling in others due to policy uncertainty and a shortage of skilled labor. While some regions, like Arlington and Boise, gained jobs thanks to strong investment and infrastructure demand, others, such as Riverside and New York, saw declines. Experts attribute the downturn to labor shortages and unclear federal policies, urging greater support for career and technical education to stabilize the workforce and then Emerald. Read More
Read MoreThe State of the Nation’s Housing 2025
The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies’ State of the Nation’s Housing 2025 report highlights mounting affordability pressures as high home prices, rising interest rates, insurance premiums and rents push home sales to a 30‑year low and burden a record number of households, particularly renters, with excessive housing costs. Despite a surge in multifamily development and inventory growth, supply remains misaligned with need, favoring higher-cost units while lower-rent stock continues to decline. Read More
Read MoreConstruction Jobs Growth Hides Underlying Turmoil
Construction job growth has slowed sharply in 2025, averaging just over 5,000 new jobs per month from March to May—down significantly from late 2024. Residential sub-trades have been hit hardest, losing 22,000 jobs and shrinking the workforce by 2% since September 2024. Despite the slowdown, construction workers continue to earn a 24% weekly pay premium over the private sector, driven by higher hourly wages and longer work hours. Read More
Read More2025 ASID Economic Outlook Report
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has released its 2025 Economic Outlook report, highlighting how tariffs, rising costs, and labor shortages are creating an uneven recovery for the design industry. While moderate consumer spending and employment growth offer some stability, persistent challenges like paused infrastructure projects and high housing prices demand that designers remain agile and forward-thinking. The report identifies new opportunities in sectors such as adaptive reuse, build-to-rent housing, and aging-in-place design, offering data-driven insights to help interior designers navigate and grow in a shifting economic landscape. Read…
Read MoreBusiness Roundtable Launches New Workforce Initiative
The Business Roundtable has launched a Skilled Trades Initiative to address U.S. labor shortages by promoting careers in high-demand fields like construction, manufacturing, maintenance and energy. Spearheaded by CEOs such as Marvin Ellison (Lowe’s) and David Gitlin (Carrier), the program partners with companies, experts and nonprofits to create resources, training, and tools aimed at strengthening the industrial and construction workforce. Read More
Read MoreHBA Celebrates Largest Graduating Class
On May 1st, 2025, the Builders Association of North Central Florida celebrated the graduation of more than 50 apprentices representing HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, building maintenance, and plumbing According to the NAHB, ““Our apprentices worked incredibly hard to reach this point, and their success directly strengthens our local construction industry,” said Sara Emmanuel, executive officer of BANCF. “They’ve balanced work and education, and this graduation is a recognition of their dedication, growth, and the value they bring to their employers and our community every day.” Read More
Read More