Dodge Data & Analytics, New York, has reported construction starts rose 13% in May after falling 9% in April.
Nonresidential building construction grew 18% in May as commercial starts rose 28% and institutional starts rose 19%. Manufacturing starts fell 13%.
Residential building construction rose 2% in May after falling 4% in April. Single-family housing fell 5%, and multifamily starts climbed 15%.
Nonbuilding construction rose 20% in May.
For the 12 months ending May, total construction starts were up 1% compared with the 12 months ending May 2024. Nonbuilding construction fell 1%; nonresidential building rose 2%; and residential building was unchanged.
“Construction starts rebounded across most sectors in May, bouncing back from a sluggish April,” said Sarah Martin, associate director of forecasting at Dodge Construction Network. “However, year-to-date figures remain below last year’s pace. Ongoing uncertainty around trade policy and the economic outlook is likely to keep construction activity in check in the months ahead.”
