Residential
Drywall Hanging Productivity: How Top Crews Hang 200 Sheets a Day
Drywall hanging crew productivity — how top crews hit 200+ sheets a day. Pre-stocking, layout, lift use, and pay structures that drive real output from a working GC.
Mike Callahan · 2026-05-23
ResidentialKitchen Remodel Costs 2026: $52K Median, Cabinet to Countertop Breakdown
Kitchen remodel cost 2026 — real numbers from a GC who's done dozens. $18K refresh to $150K luxury, line-item budgets, and where clients regret cutting corners.
ResidentialHow to Calculate Concrete for Any Project — Slabs, Footings, Columns, Stairs
How to calculate concrete for slabs, footings, columns, and stairs. Free calculator, formulas, bag counts, ready-mix pricing, and waste factors for 2026.
ResidentialFRED HOUST 2026: Housing Starts Data, Release Dates & January Figure (1.487M)
FRED HOUST January 2026: 1.487M units (1,487,000 housing starts). Full 2026 Census Bureau release schedule with exact dates through Q4, data timing, and how monthly figures affect contractor margins and material costs.
Key Metrics
Housing starts
1.42M
SAARSeasonally adjusted annual rate. Tracks new residential construction projects broken ground.
Building permits
1.46M
SAARLeading indicator for future construction activity. Permits lead starts by 1-2 months.
Median home price
$412,300
National median existing-home sale price. Driven by inventory constraints and mortgage rates.
30-yr mortgage
6.82%
Freddie Mac weekly average. Directly affects housing affordability and new construction demand.
Remodeling spend
$427B