The total number of construction starts in America rose 6% to a seasonally adjusted rate of $1.13 trillion for April, according to the latest data in Dodge Construction Network’s monthly reporting. For the month, nonresidential building starts gained 17%. The number of nonbuilding starts was 4% higher, while the residential starts fell by 1%. 

The new Construction Starts Index report notes that, on a year-to-date basis, total construction starts were up 13% from the first four months of 2023. Residential starts were up 22%, while nonbuilding starts gained 14% and nonresidential building starts rose 5%.

“The rebound in starts in April was certainly good news for the sector,” Richard Branch, the chief economist of Dodge Construction Network, explained. “While the uncertain timing of Fed interest rates cuts is causing concern, developers and owners are feeling reasonably confident that end-market demand will sustain project starts in some sectors. While risk remains in the sector for interest rates, labor, and material prices, the value of projects in planning has been reasonably stable indicating future confidence.”

The largest nonbuilding project to break ground for the month was an $834 million highway improvement project in Washington State. The largest nonresidential project was the new $3.7 billion UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, and the largest residential project was a $300 million multifamily design in Massachusetts. 

Regionally, total construction starts in April rose in all five regions.