New data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicated that private residential spending decreased by 0.03% in June. Remodeling and home improvement was the only sector to increase in June, but only by 0.01%. In May, the remodeling sector contributed to the overall bump in construction spending. It was then revised to a 0.4% decline. Compared to a year ago, private spending for remodeling is down 7.2%. Despite the decrease, overall sentiment for remodeling remains positive with continued demand. “In contrast, improvement spending has been on an upward trend since 2023, supported…
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Construction job openings increase 36% from 2025
According to data from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), jobs in the construction industry are growing at a faster pace. ABC’s analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) reported that job openings in construction increased by 14,000 last month and by 81,000 year over year. While an increase in jobs is a positive headline for the industry, ABC Chief Economist noted that the data is more nuanced. “Interpreting these data is often challenging,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “One could take…
Read MoreJCHS study points to massive repair demand
New analysis of the American Housing Survey (AHS) from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) indicates that homeowners struggle to maintain their aging homes. As the nation’s housing stock sits at an average of 42 years old, home maintenance is necessary to keep residences comfortable and functional. As 29% of low-income homeowners live in houses built before 1960, the maintenance repairs often required of older homes, such as roofing, siding, windows, insulation and HVAC, are more costly than cosmetic remodeling. “Regardless of building age, higher-income homeowners consistently outspend…
Read MoreContractor confidence rises as backlog falls
A new reading from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 8.8 months in June. Also, ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings posted increases in sales and staffing levels for the month. Construction Backlog Indicator is down 0.3 months from May but up 0.1 months from June 2025. While readings for profit margins declined, all three components remain above 50, leading industry expectations for continued growth. “The effect of rising input prices may be weighing on contractor profitability,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Contractor…
Read MoreVinyl siding leads exterior wall materials
Research from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows that vinyl siding is the most used exterior wall material for single-family homes. The material is used on over a quarter of all homes, overtaking stucco for only the second time since 2018. The study also shows a strong trend of growth for fiber cement siding, steadily increasing from 3.20% to 22.61% over the past 25 years. The use of brick siding declines, falling from 24.5% in 2012 to 16.76% in 2025. The popularity is divided geographically, on par for…
Read MoreInput prices fall, builders to expect stronger margins
According to a recent release from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), input prices in residential construction declined 1.1% month over month in June. While overall input prices are up 7.6% compared to a year ago, energy prices fell 12.1% for crude petroleum and 8.1% for unprocessed energy materials. Natural gas prices did increase 16.6% in the month but could cool off in the next few months as oil prices fall globally. The slight decrease in June allows for cautious optimism for the building community in Q3, with a return…
Read MoreThe construction employment gap: metros vs. rural towns
Suburban and rural communities rely on residential construction employment. According to an analysis by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) construction employment data, there is a major gap in reliance on the construction industry between major metros and rural communities. This is more prominent in the West, with home building accounting for a major share of the local economy than it does nationally in 92.6% of counties in Oregon, 91.3% in Washington and 89.5% in Utah. This comes after residential construction employment…
Read MoreABC Green Home developer, Nick Slevin returns to NBC Water Zone Podcast
Nick Slevin, the developer of the ABC Green Home project, returned to NBC’s Water Zone podcast with Robb Starr. Slevin breaks down the evolution of the ABC Green Home Project, from its inception as a challenge to industry standard “greenwashing” to building homes that comfortably beat California’s strict Title 24 codes by 40%. Slevin details how third-party certifications are shifting real estate appraisal values, how major production builders are successfully transitioning to sustainable footprints and shares low-cost, high-impact retrofits that any homeowner can implement to cut immediate utility costs. Tune…
Read MoreRenovation demand carries residential construction spending
According to recent data released from the U.S. Census Bureau, residential construction spending is up 0.3% from April and increased 1.8% year-over-year. This is largely attributed to an increase in remodeling spending, which rose 0.9% in May and 8.1% year-over-year. Remodeling was the only sector to report a monthly increase, with both new residential construction and multifamily construction reporting a 0.1% dip. “Improvement spending has been on an upward trend since the beginning of 2025, supported in part by the aging housing stock and sustained demand for renovation,” said Catherine Koh, an economist at the National…
Read MoreNAHB introduces first master remodeling professionals
The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) introduced its initial cohort of Certified Master Remodeling Professional (CMRP) and Certified Master Building Professional (CMBP). NAHB introduced the CMBP and CMRP credentials in April 2026 to provide a national stamp of credibility for qualified professionals. This accreditation requires 50 hours of qualifying education in the past five years and a minimum of five years working in a leadership role at a residential building or remodeling firm. 62 professionals currently hold the credential. “Any builder who’s been in business a few years should think…
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