Design Cost Data (DCD) Magazine
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Design Cost Data is the leading cost estimating provider for design and construction, offering the largest database of historical construction costs in America, essential for preliminary cost estimating and cost modeling. Source
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| Scope | National |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Country | United States of America |
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Recent Articles
Search ArticlesMaterial Costs Keep Construction Industry on Edge
20.9K Source: US Department of Labor, Producer Price Index After showing encouraging signs of recovery earlier this year, the commercial construction market has lost momentum. Commercial construction activity has slipped approximately 3% to 4%, while public construction – once expected to offset slower private-sector activity—has flattened. Persistent inflation of 7% to 9% continues to weigh on the industry, and many owners and developers remain cautious about launching new projects.
“You Have to Come See This House”
20.9K Every day my wife would take our daughter to School and on her way to pick her up would drive the neighborhoods looking at the existing homes. As we were in the middle of renovating our own home and as I was building it, I kept dodging the request. Then one day, we both went to pick up our daughter, and as she had me captured in the car, drove me up to the home. The Dukes home fully restored by Craig MaMahon and his family. The Dukes home fully restored by Craig MaMahon and his family.
Stop Optimizing Takeoff. Start Fixing Cost Data
20.9K I’ve spent a lot of time at construction conferences over the years. Enough time to notice the patterns. Every major event has a new take on the future of AI in preconstruction and, specifically this year, they all seem to start at AI-powered takeoff. Faster takeoffs, automated quantities, estimates generated in minutes instead of days; it’s an exciting story to tell, and it’s not exactly wrong. Quantity takeoff will keep getting faster and more accurate.
The Hidden Costs of “Saving” on Fasteners: Simpson Strong-Tie Warns Customers About the Dangers of Using Unapproved Fasteners When Installing Connectors
18.4K Pleasanton, Calif. — After witnessing an uptick in installers substituting alternative fasteners for connector installation, Simpson Strong-Tie is urging customers to use only specified and approved fasteners when installing its connectors. Using unapproved fasteners can lead to failed inspections, voided warranties, costly litigation and even structural failure.
Guaranty Bank Headquarters Ridgeland, Mississippi
9.8K The new Guaranty Bank Headquarters in Ridgeland is an 18,000-square-foot facility that serves as both a corporate workplace and a community banking center. The program includes a retail branch, private offices, conference rooms, a staff breakroom, and two leasable tenant spaces designed to support future growth and adaptability. The building’s contemporary design pairs brick and western red cedar with expansive glazing to create a warm yet modern presence along Highland Colony Parkway.
Overhead Door Corporation Announces the Purchase of Motion Access, LLC
18.7K [August 24, 2026] – Overhead DoorCorporation, a leading provider of door and access solutions, has acquired the assets of Motion Access, LLC, based in Elk Grove Village, IL. Motion Access is a leading provider of automatic pedestrian door solutions, specializing in door operators, replacement parts, retrofit solutions, and rebuilt equipment.
A Clear View of Engineering with Solarban® 70 Glass
20.7K The University of Texas at Dallas’ Engineering and Computer Science West (ECSW) building design uses high-performance glazing to put engineering – and the learning taking place inside – on display. The 200,000-square-foot, LEED® Gold-certified facility features a highly transparent façade designed by SmithGroup around Solarban® 70 glass from Vitro Architectural Glass.
Housing Starts Weaken, but Building Permits Rise
20.7K Housing starts declined sharply in July as elevated construction costs, high financing expenses and economic uncertainty continued to weigh on residential construction. Overall housing starts fell 12.4% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.24 million units, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. Single-family starts dropped 9.9% to an annualized rate of 808,000 units, down 15.7% from July 2025.
Architecture Billings Remain Weak in July
20.7K The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index® (ABI) fell to 46.6 in July, signaling continued weakness at architecture firms nationwide. The downturn has now lasted nearly three and a half years, the longest stretch in the ABI’s history. While inquiries for new projects increased again, growth slowed from June. Newly signed design contracts also weakened after nearing positive territory the previous month. Billings remained soft across all four U.S. regions and every major specialization.
Decatur Middle School Expansion
9.8K The old 1959 Decatur, Arkansas Elementary School held a special sentiment to many residents who had attended, so extraordinary attention was placed on its renovation and conversion to Decatur Middle School. Located prominently on Arkansas State Highway 102 (the main road through town), the new gymnasium, with its textured block and brick and new lighted signage, provides a WOW factor as soon as you enter the Decatur city limits.