New residential building permits are down. High prices on building materials could further slow new construction.

The current rules give homeowners an incentive to build replacement homes likely to burn just as easily during the next wildfire.

“This is one area where there does appear to be convergence between Democrats and Republicans,” said UChicago professor Mike Albertus.

The metals are paired as targets for import duties, but they serve different markets. Domestic steel has spare capacity, aluminum not so much.

ADP estimates that the services sector gained 190,000 jobs in January and the production sector lost 6,000.

This couple in Fairbanks, Alaska saved money by DIY-ing their own home build.

Multifamily housing was a big part of the increase. But there is still high demand for single-family homes.

About a quarter of construction workers are immigrants. They may be vulnerable at a time when more housing is needed across the country.

Meanwhile, commercial and government construction spending actually fell.

A shortage of skilled labor, high labor costs, and uncertainty about the effect of tariffs on lumber prices weigh on some homebuilders.