It might have been wishful thinking to assume the pandemic would cause big declines in costs for materials and labor in the construction industry.

"One predicted benefit of the pandemic has been a decline in construction costs — or at least a halt to big price increases of recent years," according to an article by Steve Brown.
Not so fast, according to recently released data as well as insight from Texas-based developers and builders surveyed by Brown surveyed for the article. "Phil Crone, executive officer of the Dallas Builders Association, said local homebuilders are seeing volatility in a number of supply chains that has actually increased prices," for instance.
Still, "Nationwide engineering and construction costs dropped in June, according to a report by IHS Markit." And construction activity has been picking up. In Dallas-Forth Worth, "construction activity had rebounded by 15% in May from where it was in March when the pandemic caused a lockdown," according to Brown.
FULL STORY: Predictions of big construction cost declines are overblown

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

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Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

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