Ken Simonson
Ken Simonson
damage extent happens jobs machines manpower recovery road seen until
Historically, recovery from catastrophes happens very rapidly, but I don't think we've ever seen road damage to the extent we have seen here. I would think they would find the machines and manpower to do road repairs because you can't get to the other jobs until you have access.
november october revised september spending
Construction spending in November outpaced even the upwardly revised October and September totals.
immigrants impact noticeable percentage took
If a substantial percentage of the immigrants took the day away from work, that would have a noticeable impact on construction.
cement concrete continuing demand expect healthy higher increases price prices push spot
For 2006, I expect to see healthy demand for nonresidential construction but also double-digit price increases for many construction inputs. I expect continuing spot shortages of cement that will push concrete prices higher nationwide.
consumer costs materials period prolonged rapidly rise
I think we're in for a prolonged period in which construction materials costs are going to rise more rapidly than consumer costs.
impact
I think the impact is going to be nationwide for construction.
categories highways leading percent private shopping
The leading categories have been multi-retail (general merchandise, shopping centers, and shopping malls), up 25 percent year-to-date; manufacturing construction, 23 percent; private multifamily, 21 percent; hospitals, 13 percent; private single-family, 12 percent; and highways and streets, 11 percent.
eerie leave roof uncovered
It's an eerie challenge. You don't want to leave the roof uncovered in a place like that.
equipment expensive harder kinds rubber steel
Rubber for construction equipment tires, (Sheetrock) and some kinds of steel may also be harder to find or more expensive because of the storms.
adds damaged demand depends katrina materials rebuilding recovery speed types whether
Whether the recovery from Katrina adds to demand for construction materials depends on the types and speed of rebuilding in damaged areas.