Future construction deals still sluggish

Contracts for future residential, nonresidential and nonbuilding construction in New Hampshire remained sluggish in June.

According to data compiled by McGraw Hill Construction of Lexington, Mass., contracts for future residential construction decreased 11 percent, to $83 million, in June 2007, compared to $92.6 million in June 2006.

Contracts for future nonresidential construction decreased by 8 percent, to $83.3 million, for June 2007, compared to $90.2 million reported for June 2006.

Contracts for future nonbuilding construction – including highways and bridges – decreased 36 percent, to $39 million, in June 2007, compared to $61 million for June 2006.

Total future construction contracts for June 2007 declined by 16 percent, to $205.1 million compared to $243.3 million reported for June 2006.

Year-to-date future nonresidential construction contracts through June 2007 were $351 million or 13 percent lower than the $405 million reported for the same time period last year.

Year-to-date future residential contracts were $492.5 million, or 9 percent below last year’s numbers of $541.5 million.

Future nonbuilding construction contracts of $193.1 million were 12 percent lower than the $219.3 reported for the same time period last year.

Total future construction contracts through June 2007 were $1.04 billion, or 11 percent below the $1.165 billion reported through June 2006. – TRACIE STONE