Throughout most of 2015, the construction industry saw much needed growth since the economic recession, building on the momentum from 2014.
In October 2015, Dodge Data & Analytics released its 2016 Dodge Construction Outlook. The report predicts that U.S. construction starts will rise by 6 percent in 2016. This is a bit lower than the previous two years that experienced gains of 9 percent in 2014 and an estimated 13 percent in 2015.
The chief economist for the report, Robert Murray, also shared the factors that were used that will influence how the industry will fair over the next year:
- Strength of U.S. economy
- Political changes and affected funding
- Global headwinds impact
- Financial conditions (i.e. lending and material prices)
- Emerging trends on construction demand
Murray noted in a Construction Dive article, “total 2015 construction activity is on pace to reach the largest gain during the current expansion – since the crippling economic recession.”
While residential housing is anticipated to top the list for construction starts, multifamily housing and commercial buildings are next on the list. Multifamily housing starts should increase above the overall 6 percent average, at 7 percent. Commercial buildings are estimated to increase by 11 percent, up from the 4 percent increase in 2015, according to a Dodge Data & Analytics press release.
According to the AIA Consensus Forecast, which is a computed average of several forecasts including the Dodge Data & Analytics report, nonresidential construction is anticipated to grow a little over 8 percent in 2016.
Overall, the outlook appears somewhat optimistic as we get ready to start projects in 2016.
To read more about the industry in 2015, check out our blog post, Construction industry looking to gain momentum in 2015.
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