California Major-Metro Markets Construction Activity Decreases (-2.9%) Year-Over-Year, BidClerk Data Finds

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For major-metro regions in California, including Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville; San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos; and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, there have been an overall decrease in construction activity in year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter analysis, according to a new report by the BidClerk Construction Index™ (BCI).

In a year-over-year breakout of major-market California public and private construction projects that were actively bidding, the BCI found that overall construction activity declined (-2.9%). Over the same period, private and public construction experienced decreases of (-2.1%) and (-3.1%), respectively.

BCI’s quarter-over-quarter data also reported declines in activity for both public and private construction projects from the second quarter to the third quarter of this year. For all construction projects, there was a decrease of (-18.7%) in activity from the second quarter to the third quarter of 2012. Private construction projects actively bidding in the third quarter saw a decrease of (-13.1%), while public projects decreased (-20.7%), compared to the second quarter of 2012.

The Los Angeles area experienced a (-8.9%) decrease in total projects compared to the same period one year ago. Actively bidding private projects saw a (-12.2%) decrease and public projects experienced a steeper decline of (-7.3%). In a quarter-over-quarter analysis, the Los Angeles area experienced a decrease of (-22.2%) for all actively bidding construction activity. In the third quarter, private projects experienced a decrease of (-21.7%) over the second quarter of 2012. Public projects experienced a decrease of (-22.5%) over the same period.

In the San Francisco area, total construction projects actively bidding saw an increase of 17.6% compared to the same period one year ago. Actively bidding private projects experienced an increase of 75.0%. Public projects rose modestly, climbing 5.0% in BCI’s year-over-year analysis. In a quarter-over-quarter analysis, the San Francisco area experienced a decrease of (-16.8%) for all actively bidding construction activity. But in the third quarter, private projects saw an increased of 17.8% over the second quarter of 2012. Public projects experienced a (-25.1%) decrease, over the second quarter of 2012.

In the San Diego area, total construction projects actively bidding experienced a (-5.2%) decrease compared to the same period one year ago. Actively bidding private projects experienced an increase of 28.6%, but public projects experienced a (-15.9%) decline in BCI’s year-over-year analysis. In a quarter-over-quarter analysis, the San Diego area experienced a (-19.4%) decrease for all actively bidding construction activity. In the third quarter, private projects saw a decrease of (-18.2%) and public projects saw a decrease of (-20.0%).

The California counties surveyed by the BidClerk Construction Index include Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville; San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos; and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario.

Nationally, BCI found that combined public and private construction projects that were actively bidding increased 3.0% in the third quarter of 2012, compared to the same quarter a year ago. BCI also found that third quarter 2012 public construction increased modestly, rising just 0.2%, while third quarter 2012 private construction jumped 12.3%, year-over-year.

Today’s new construction project data was released by BidClerk, a leading provider of construction project data and marketing tools for building product manufacturers, contractors, and distributors. The BidClerk Construction Index is a quarterly data service offered at no cost to media outlets that cover regional construction news. Members of the media may request a custom BidClerk Construction Index report for a specific area by contacting BidClerk: BCI@bidclerk.com.

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With the most affordable solutions on the market, BidClerk is the widely recognized leader in providing construction project data and marketing tools for building product manufacturers, contractors, and distributors. All of BidClerk’s services are offered at subscription rates that are far below those charged by McGraw-Hill Construction (NYSE: MHP) or Reed Construction Data (Rel:Ln). Users can try BidClerk for $5.95 for full national access to its project database for three days. More info: www.BidClerk.com.