Promotional banner showing LED lamps: tubes, bulbs and a compact LED, with orange background and 'LED LAMPS All Shapes and Sizes' text on the left (Naturaled branding).

Construction + Economy

Moderating Economic Growth Results in Downgraded Construction Forecast for 2017 and 2018

The AIA Consensus Construction Forecast projects annual growth in the 3.5% to 4% range for the remainder of 2017 as well as for 2018, with a slower growing commercial/industrial market, and an institutional sector facing several challenges. While some slowdown in the commercial sector was anticipated for 2017 and 2018, it was expected to be offset by acceleration in the institutional sector. However, year-to-date growth in spending for institutional buildings is at only 3%, well below expectations when the year began.

The AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel is conducted twice a year with the leading nonresidential construction forecasters in the United States including, Dodge Data & Analytics, Wells Fargo Securities, IHS Markit, Moody’s Economy.com, ConstructConnect, Associated Builders & Contractors and FMI. The purpose of the Consensus Construction Forecast Panel is to project business conditions in the construction industry over the coming 18 to 24 months. The Consensus Construction Forecast Panel has been conducted for 18 years.

“Despite billings at architecture firms performing quite well this year, the larger construction industry is facing a range of issues,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “The somewhat weaker outlook is driven by several factors, some dealing with the broader U.S. economy, some dealing with general construction industry fundamentals, and some dealing with weakness in specific construction sectors.”

Click here for an in-depth look at the new forecast.

author avatar
Craig DiLouie
Interior showroom with orange suspended linear lights, glass walls, and a reflective column; large white and yellow text promoting 'Urban Prebuilt Series' with a subtitle 'Ready-to-install linear lighting'.
Advertisement for LED lamps showing a filament bulb, a tube light, and a spotlight against an orange circle on a black background with the text 'LED LAMPS All Shapes and Sizes' and the Naturaled logo.

Events

IES Street & Area Lighting Conference
Light Expo London
Canada Light Expo 2026
Click For More
Event banner for Light+ Intelligent Building North America with dates March 15–18, 2027 in Las Vegas; includes a yellow 'Register Today' button and schedule details.
Dallas Market Center ArcLight Summit banner: Call for Speakers, June 22–23, 2027 — Apply Now (logo with colorful arc.”] ,

Archives

Categories