With a potential recession looming on the horizon and inflation at all time highs coupled with continuing supply chain issues, the design and construction industry is facing more than its fair share of challenges. However, in spite of recent declines, a new report from Dodge Construction Network characterizes the industry as being on firm footing.
The total number of construction starts in the U.S. fell 9% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.25 trillion, according to the report. The latest downturn comes on the heels of a significant increase in July that saw the groundbreaking of three large manufacturing plants and two LNG export facilities. Overall, nonresidential building starts rose 7%, residential starts were 1% higher, while nonbuilding starts lost 36% in the month of August.
Year-to-date, the first eight months of the year saw total construction at 16% higher compared to the same period of 2021. Nonresidential building starts increased by 35% over the year, while residential starts were 1% higher and nonbuilding starts were up 21%, the report revealed.
For the 12 months ending August 2022, total construction starts were 15% above the 12 months ending August 2021. Nonresidential starts were 33% higher, residential starts gained 4%, and nonbuilding starts were up 15%.
Richard Branch, chief economist for Dodge Construction Network noted that “While construction starts activity continues to be dominated by mega-projects like chip fabrication plants, the middle and lower end of the value spectrum is holding up well. This is a sign that organic growth in the construction sector has not yet been undermined by the concern of a potential recession in 2023," he said, adding that "while higher interest rates may undo this support in the coming months, the industry is in a very good position to continue modest growth.”
Breakdown of Construction Starts
- Nonbuilding construction starts fell 36% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $278.8 billion. This decline follows a July that saw the start of two multi-billion-dollar LNG export plants. If these projects were excluded from July, August’s nonbuilding starts would have increased 27%. In August, highway and bridge starts moved 21% higher, environmental public works increased 39%, while miscellaneous nonbuilding starts lost 9%. Through the first eight months of the year, total nonbuilding starts were 21% higher than in 2021. Utility/gas plant starts gained 57% through the first eight months, highway and bridge starts were 21% higher, and environmental public works were 14% higher. Miscellaneous nonbuilding starts, by contrast, were down 14% through the first eight months. For the 12 months ending August 2022, total nonbuilding starts were 15% higher than in the 12 months ending August 2021. Utility/gas plant starts were 46% higher, highway and bridge starts rose 11%, and environmental public works increased by 15%. Miscellaneous nonbuilding starts decreased by 14%. The largest nonbuilding projects to break ground in August were the $1.9 billion third phase of the New Soo Lock Chamber in Sault Ste Marie, MI, a $738 million paving project in Honolulu, HI, and the $460 million first phase of the Sand Island wastewater treatment plant in Honolulu, HI.
- Nonresidential building starts moved 7% higher in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $569.6 billion. August’s gain comes on the heels of a massive increase in July that saw the start of several large manufacturing projects. Supporting the August gain were an airport terminal, a chip fabrication facility, and a large hotel and entertainment complex. Commercial starts were 22% higher in August, with all categories posting an increase. Institutional starts were up 62%, despite education and healthcare starts declining, and manufacturing starts lost 42% during the month. Through the first eight months of 2022, nonresidential building starts were 35% higher than the first eight months of 2021. Commercial starts advanced 17% and institutional starts rose 18%, while manufacturing starts were 231% higher on a year-to-date basis. For the 12 months ending August 2022, nonresidential building starts were 33% higher than in the 12 months ending August 2021. Commercial starts grew 17%, institutional starts rose 17%, and manufacturing starts rose 224% on a 12-month rolling sum basis.
- The largest nonresidential building projects to break ground in August were the $9.5 billion New Terminal One at JFK airport in Jamacia, NY, the $8.5 billion Samsung chip fabrication plant in Taylor, TX, and the $1.1 billion Gaylord Pacific Hotel and Convention Center in Chula Vista, CA. Residential building starts rose 1% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $400.7 billion. Single family starts lost 10%, while multifamily starts gained 19%. Through the first eight months of 2022, residential starts were 1% higher than during the same timeframe in 2021. Multifamily starts were up 28%, while single family housing slipped 8%. For the 12 months ending August 2022, residential starts improved 4% from the same period ending August 2021. Single family starts were 6% lower, while multifamily starts were 33% stronger on a 12-month rolling sum basis. The largest multifamily structures to break ground in August were the $700 million Aria Reserve residential tower in Miami, FL, the $500 million 30 Van Ness mixed-use tower in San Francisco, CA, and the $500 million 42-02 Orchard Street mixed-use tower in Long Island City, NY.
- Regionally, total construction starts in August rose in the Northeast, South Atlantic, and West, but fell in the Midwest and South Central.
