{"id":3557,"date":"2015-12-28T08:00:26","date_gmt":"2015-12-28T13:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roofingmagazine.com\/?p=3557"},"modified":"2015-12-28T07:53:36","modified_gmt":"2015-12-28T12:53:36","slug":"business-conditions-show-decrease-architecture-billings-and-construction-spending","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roofingmagazine.com\/business-conditions-show-decrease-architecture-billings-and-construction-spending\/","title":{"rendered":"Business Conditions Show Decrease in Architecture Billings and Construction Spending"},"content":{"rendered":"

As has been the case a few times already this year, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI)<\/a> dipped in November. As an economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA)<\/a> reported the November ABI score was 49.3, down from the mark of 53.1 in the previous month. This score reflects a decrease in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 58.6, up just a nudge from a reading of 58.5 the previous month.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince architecture firms continue to report that they are bringing in new projects, this volatility in billings doesn\u2019t seem to reflect any underlying weakness in the construction sector,\u201d says AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. \u201cRather, it could reflect the uncertainty of moving ahead with projects given the continued tightness in construction financing and the growing labor shortage problem gripping the entire design and construction industries.\u201d<\/p>\n

Key November ABI highlights:<\/p>\n