2006 National Outlook: Stable as She Goes/Construction Starts Remain On Record Pace

摘要

Soaring materials costs, rising interest rates and a string of devastating hurricanes weren't powerful enough to derail the construction market in 2005. The industry showed remarkable resilience last year, rising to a record 636 billion dollars nationwide in total construction starts, according to McGraw-Hill Construction forecasts. The tally was an 8 percent increase over 2004 figures. Still, analysts remain cautious about the industry's ability to keep building steam. McGraw-Hill Construction predicted that single-family home construction starts will begin a pullback in 2006. Meanwhile, sectors such as hotels, offices, schools, health-care facilities and public works should see growth this year. As a result, total construction starts would see comparatively modest 3 percent growth in 2006, according to McGraw-Hill Construction estimates.