Total Construction Starts End 2013 With 6% Increase
The dollar value of total construction starts ended 2013 with a 6% gain, according to McGraw Hill Construction's Dodge starts data for December. "The construction industry in 2013 made progress toward a more broad-based recovery after several years in which the upturn was more limited in scope," says Robert Murray, MHC's chief economist. Housing led the way with a 24% year-to-year increase, followed by a 7% increase in non-residential work.