The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is the leading economic indicator of construction activity, with approximately a nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.  The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the April ABI score was 48.6, down from a mark of 51.9 in March.  After eight straight monthly gains in design activity, revenue at architecture firms fell in April.

Implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been challenging for many employers. To offer assistance to construction employers, AGC has dedicated a page on its website to providing compliance resources on the ACA. The members-only page includes links to white papers, a webinar and government resources. AGC will update the page routinely as new and relevant information becomes available.

This AGC Project Delivery Resources document was created to serve as a quick reference of construction industry resources related to construction project delivery. The chart encompasses all of the resources that AGC offers including white papers, online resources, and webinars and textbooks available in the AGC Store.

Construction employment increased by 7,000 in May, helping to push the industry’s unemployment rate down to the lowest May level in five years, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America. Association officials said the relatively positive jobs report for the sector underscores the need to address potential shortages of skilled workers.

In the May/June 2013 issue of AGC’s Constructor Magazine, there is an article, Strategies for Success – Paving Your Way to Better Fortunes, that highlights the findings from the AGC-FMI 2012 Business Development survey.  In this article, the author of the AGC-FMI survey and current AGC Construction Marketing Forum chair, Cynthia Paul (FMI Corp.), and other AGC Construction Marketing Forum members share business development strategies that have made their businesses successful and align with the findings of the survey.  Successful business development strategies that are highlighted throughout the article include planning, cultivating repeat business, networking to build contacts and implementing strategies. Click here to read the article in its entirety.

The Architecture Billings Index is a leading indicator of the U.S. construction activity nine to 12 months into the future.  In the month of November, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported a 0.4 increase in the ABI from 52.8 in October to 53.2.  Any reading above 50 is said to indicate expansion, while any reading below 50 is said to indicate a decline in the demand for design services.   This score reflects an increased demand for design services.

Public and Commercial Buildings are Target for Future Rules The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the details for an upcoming public meeting - set for June 26, 2013 - on the subject of EPA’s ongoing evaluation into whether to and how to regulate renovation, repair and painting (RRP) activities in all public and commercial buildings that purportedly have lead-based paint.  EPA provided advanced notice of this meeting earlier in the year, when it solicited comment from stakeholders who manage or perform RRP work on the exterior or interior of such buildings.  AGC has already submitted detailed comments questioning the lack of lead-paint data for public and commercial buildings. AGC is also preparing to testify at the upcoming public meeting. 

Construction employment increased in 152 out of 339 metropolitan areas between March 2012 and March 2013, declined in 126 and was stagnant in 61, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America.

Today, AGC celebrates green construction efforts on Earth Day, along with its chapters and members.  While AGC debuts a new online toolkit for building energy code information, AGC chapters and members celebrate Earth Day through building green, recycling, carpooling, planting trees, cleaning up rivers and sponsoring awareness events.

With increasing demand for design services, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is continuing to strengthen. The ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.  The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the February ABI score was 54.9, up slightly from a mark of 54.2 in January.