Future construction contracts mixed again

The number of upcoming New Hampshire contracts for residential and nonresidential construction reported in April is lower than those reported a year earlier, according to data from McGraw Hill Construction of Lexington, Mass.

Contracts for future nonbuilding construction, however, are up slightly compared to the same time period last year.

Contracts for future residential construction decreased 20 percent, to $88.3 million, in April 2007, compared to $110.2 million in April 2006.

Contracts for future nonresidential construction decreased by 8 percent, to $60.4 million, for April 2007, compared to $65.4 million reported for April 2006.

Contracts for future nonbuilding construction -such projects as streets, highways and bridges – increased 6 percent, to $39.2 million, in April 2007, compared to $37.1 million in April 2006.

Total future construction contracts for April 2007 declined by 12 percent to $187.8 million, compared to the $212.7 million reported for April 2006.

Year-to-date future nonresidential construction contracts through April 2007 were $225.85 million, or 8 percent lower than those for the same period last year. Year-to-date future residential contracts were $262.3 million, or 24 percent below last year’s numbers. Future nonbuilding construction contracts of $107.9 million were 37 percent higher than the same time period last year.

Total future construction contracts through April 2007 were $596.1 million. – TRACIE STONE