In today’s construction news, learn about how, according to an analysis of the industry by QBE North America, the U.S. commercial construction sector has reached unprecedented employment levels while confronting unprecedented challenges. In May 2025, there were 8.3 million construction jobs, the highest since records began in 1939, but preliminary data indicated possible weakness ahead. On the other hand, the People’s House will be open for tours for the first time in months, with the halls decked out to welcome guests back in time for the holidays.
Beginning on December 2, the visits will resume after being suspended in September while the East Wing was dismantled to create President Donald Trump’s new ballroom.
Historic U.S. Commercial Construction Peaks
Original Source: U.S. Commercial Construction Reaches Historic Peak—But Storm Clouds Gathering
The U.S. commercial construction sector has reached unprecedented employment levels while facing unprecedented challenges, with 8.3 million construction jobs in May 2025—the highest since 1939—but preliminary data suggests weakness ahead, according to QBE North America.
QBE claims a phenomenal building industry trajectory. Employment rose steadily for over a decade after the 2008 financial crisis, approaching pre-crisis levels in 2023. Tailwinds from federal infrastructure investment, private sector demand for data centers and innovative manufacturing facilities, and offshore drove the sector. As contractors fought for talent, construction wages rose 4.2% from June 2024 to June 2025, faster than the national average.
QBE reported that 2025 data suggests this momentum may be diminishing. Construction employment fell for three months in June–August, the first reduction since 2012. Commercial building spending fell again to pre-2022 levels.
Job creation has slowed to levels not seen since the early recovery from the 2008 crisis, with foreign direct investment and GDP growth below expert projections in the first half of 2025.
Growth Restraints
The labor shortage is the biggest immediate threat to industry growth, the research concluded. Demand for labor exceeds supply despite record employment.
The Associated Builders and Contractors predicts the industry needs 499,000 new workers in 2026 to meet demand. The Associated General Contractors of America and the National Center for Construction Education & Research revealed that 92% of construction businesses had trouble filling unfilled positions.
Two demographic factors exacerbate this shortfall. More than 20% of construction workers are 55 or older, while younger Americans are choosing college over vocational training.
Immigration—essential to filling U.S. labor gaps—is becoming more restricted. The construction workforce is 25.5% foreign-born, compared to 17.7% of the total U.S. workforce. In the next three years, the present administration’s severe immigration and deportation policies may worsen shortages.
QBE noted another important issue: material costs. The average weighted tariff rate has risen to 20% from 2-3% in January due to the administration’s massive tariff increases. Critical construction commodities face higher tariffs: 50% on steel and aluminum and 10% on lumber.
By August 2025, these regulations had raised nonresidential building input costs 2.6%, with iron and steel prices up 9.2% and copper and cable prices up 13.8%.
Trade uncertainty about 2026 U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement renegotiations might depress market morale and raise material prices. the report said.
Recent federal incentives that boosted the sector are waning. Since 2022, the CHIPS and Science Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and Inflation Reduction Act have contributed about $100 billion in subsidies and tax credits to boost building spending. By 2026, CHIPS and Science Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act monies will be entirely dispersed.
The government has also frozen tens of billions in Inflation Reduction Act subsidies and worked to repeal or expedite hundreds of billions in tax incentive sunsets.
Plenty of Chances When Uncertain
QBE says construction has substantial growth potential despite near-term obstacles.
Between 2023 and 2033, renewable power generation capacity is estimated to nearly treble from 340.7 to 823.8 gigawatts, driving up demand. Installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure will increase construction demand.
Private drivers offer outstanding development potential. Data centers are a great possibility as AI and cloud computing expand infrastructure needs. The Electric Power Research Institute expects data center electricity usage to rise from 4% of total generation in 2024 to 9% by 2030.
The BLS expects nonresidential building construction employment—including data centers—to expand 5.9% during the next decade.
State subsidies continue to boost industrial construction, it says. Over $100 million in Enterprise Fund grants from Texas since fiscal year 2022 have attracted almost $25 billion in private capital. Michigan, New York, Georgia, Ohio, and Arizona have strong advanced manufacturing funds.
Recent corporate tax cuts and bonus depreciation will slash construction costs for corporations building new buildings and infrastructure, boosting demand. Private equity activity in specialized trades may increase. Private equity investors bought 800 HVAC, plumbing, and electrical enterprises between 2022 and 2024, reflecting sector consolidation.
QBE said green construction is another sustained growth sector. Due to state rules and private sector priorities, market research organizations expect the U.S. commercial green construction industry to nearly treble between 2025 and 2030. Texas, the nation’s largest construction market, has fewer rigorous sustainability rules than California, but developers are incorporating green building standards and energy-efficient technologies due to consumer demand and resource limits.
According to the report, geopolitics may boost the U.S.’s long-term investment appeal. While China’s economy slows after decades as the global economic engine, Europe faces shallow financial markets, political fragmentation, and concerns about Russia. The EU, UK, UAE, Japan, and South Korea have pledged trillions of dollars to U.S. projects.
White House Holiday Celebrations Continue Despite Ballroom Reconstruction
Original Source: White House holiday festivities get underway despite ballroom construction
The White House will be decorated for the holidays to welcome visitors returning after months.
Tours will resume on December 2 after the East Wing was dismantled to make way for President Donald Trump’s new ballroom in September. A revised tour will avoid waste on the South Lawn and skip numerous important locations during construction.
Trimming the trees comes first. Melanie Trump welcomed the official Christmas tree, a concolor fir, to the Blue Room on Monday to start Christmastime at the White House.
Longtime White House grounds supervisor Dale Haney and the National Christmas Tree Association chose the Sidney, Michigan-based fir in September. After 650 miles, it arrived at the White House in a Clydesdale-drawn carriage led by three gentlemen in top hats for the first lady’s inspection on Monday afternoon, becoming an annual ritual.
“Beautiful,” exclaimed the first lady, wearing red leather gloves and tartan stilettos, as she circled the fir.
President Trump is expected to pardon Gobble and Waddle, two North Carolina turkeys, the next day. The president will pardon two fowls, provide an annual opportunity for puns, and give thanks.
While the Trump family celebrates Thanksgiving in Palm Beach, Florida, volunteers will scramble to decorate the White House for winter.
A first lady’s office press release stated, “The decorations in each room will be thoughtfully designed and curated under the direction of First Lady Melania Trump.”
Visitors can experience the popular annual tradition that transforms the White House into a festive reflection of the holiday season’s energy, kindness, faith, and hope.
Trump shared a short preview video from an October Christmas meeting that suggested gold and gilded decorations, in keeping with many of the president’s West Wing changes.
In 2017, the first lady used a “Time-Honored Traditions” theme, including Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1866 “A Christmas Carol” and Jacqueline Kennedy’s 1961 “Nutcracker Suite” theme. Critics connected the East Colonnade’s blood-red trees to “The Handmaid’s Tale,” undermining the 2018 patriotism theme.
She added, “We are in the 21st century and everybody has a different taste,” about the decor.
Patriotism returned in 2019 with stars, stripes, and big golden eagles. The 2020 tree has ornaments fashioned like a trash truck, scientist, caretaker, lab coat, and nurse cap to honor COVID-19 personnel.
Trump has privately criticized presidential spouse holiday rules. In the summer of 2018, she was secretly recorded complaining about being attacked for her husband’s family separation policy at the US-Mexico border while performing first lady duties.
“I’m working… Who cares a f**k about Christmas decorations and stuff? I must do it, right? Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former friend and adviser, taped her saying.
“OK, then I do it and say I’m working on Christmas and planning for Christmas, and they say, ‘Oh, what about the children that they were separated?’” Give me a break.”
The White House is poised to welcome thousands of tourists this holiday season for an expanded tour after the East Wing was dismantled.
Starting December 2, visitors can only access the Cross Hall, East Room, Green Room, Blue Room, Red Room, and State Dining Room on one story of the White House.
The Library, Vermeil Room, China Room, and Diplomatic Reception Room, which opened to visitors during the Biden administration, will be removed from the ground level.
After being moved from the East Wing, the first lady’s staff uses some of those ancient rooms as offices.
Summary of today’s construction news
In summary, according to market research agencies, state legislation and private sector initiatives will propel the U.S. commercial green construction market to nearly double between 2025 and 2030. Due to customer demand and resource limitations, developers are rapidly incorporating green building standards and energy-efficient technologies, even in Texas, the nation’s largest construction market with laxer sustainability regulations than California.
On the other hand, following the demolition of the East Wing, the White House’s primary guest entrance, thousands of people are anticipated to enter the building for an expanded tour this Christmas season. Beginning on December 2, just one floor of the White House—which includes the State Dining Room, East Room, Green Room, Blue Room, Red Room, and Cross Hall—will be open to visitors. The bottom floor’s historic spaces, such as the Library, Vermeil Room, and China Room, as well as the Diplomatic Reception Room, which first welcomed guests during the Biden administration, will no longer be included.
