The Architecture Billings Index, a leading indicator of U.S. construction activity nine to 12 months into the future, fell 2 points to 48.4 in April. 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 drop into negative terrain came after 5 consecutive months of positive readings. According to AIA chief economist Kermit Baker, the decline in demand for design services isn’t too surprising, considering the overall volatility of current economic conditions and a slow recovery.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has made available the newest draft of its green building rating system for public comment until May 28, 2012. The 2012 version of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) up for review contains changes pertinent to contractors, specialty contractors and manufacturers of building materials—such as a new credit addressing “chemicals of concern”.
The cost of construction materials took a breather in April, while contractors showed slightly greater ability to roll past price increases into their bids, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by AGC.
The 2012 AGC Contractors Environmental Conference, June 7-8, 2012, in Arlington, Virginia, is your chance to network with your peers and learn from more than 30 speakers the latest environmental strategies that are saving contractors money, improving operations and taking firms to the next level.
AGC of America has released a white paper discussing the impact federal and nonfederal contractors, as well as other interested parties, can have on the accuracy of Davis-Bacon wage determinations. The white paper, titled "Impacting Davis-Bacon Wage Determinations: A Guide for Contributing to the Accuracy of Published Prevailing Wage Rates in Construction", is available for download on the AGC website.
To develop the tools needed to build lean, the AGC has developed the Lean Construction Education Program. Construction professionals at all experience levels will learn the building blocks necessary to transform their projects and companies into a lean operating system.
The American Institute of Architects reported last month that the Architectural Billings Index had jumped to 52 in December, indicating that the demand for nonresidential construction is on the rise. Any reading above 50 is said to indicate an increase in commercial building construction 6 to 9 months in the future. December was the second consecutive month with a reading of 52, which, according to AIA chief economist Kermit Baker and several others, is a sign of good things to come in 2012. Read the complete article here.
In these uncertain economic times, construction financing is harder to secure. Willing lenders are out there, but are requiring the project owners to take far more fiscal responsibility and guarantee much more. This tougher lending climate is forcing developers to pour more of their financial resources into the project and to bear more responsibility should the investment perform poorly. To read the complete article, click here.
Unit 1: Variation in Productions Systems, in AGC’s Lean Construction Education Program, is now available. Variation in Production Systems is a four-hour course that will be offered locally at AGC Chapters across the country. Following completion of this course, participants will be able to:
The AGC Lean Construction Forum is an inclusive and collaborative community that is open to anyone with an interest in lean construction processes. The Forum website provides information on the latest Forum activities, lean-related articles, a searchable database of lean resources and a discussion tool that allows Forum members to share information and ask questions.