Total construction starts fell 7% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.1 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonbuilding and residential starts fell 32% and 1%, respectively. Conversely, nonresidential building starts gained 8% during the month.
Miscellaneous nonbuilding starts and environmental starts dropped 20% and 15%, respectively.
Year-to-date through October 2023, total construction starts were 4% below that of 2022. Residential and nonresidential starts were down 15% and 7%, respectively; however, nonbuilding starts were up 20%. For the 12 months ending October 2023, total construction starts were down 1%. Nonbuilding starts were 22% higher, and nonresidential building starts gained 1%. On a 12-month rolling basis, residential starts posted a 15% decline.
What Dodge says
“Construction starts have weakened over the last two months as high interest rates and tight credit have restrained activity,” says Richard Branch, chief economist for Dodge Construction Network. “While it seems likely that the Federal Reserve will hold off raising rates further, it will take time until they consider easing. This will likely result in a continued softening in construction starts over the next several months.”
