Building through uncertainty: Forecasting construction costs in a tariff-volatile economy

Tariff volatility, shifting Federal Reserve policy, and turbulent construction materials markets are forcing facility owners to fundamentally rethink cost planning. This session delivers a rigorous, data-driven analysis of construction cost escalation drivers including trends in labor productivity, key commodities such as steel, copper, lumber, and oil, and macroeconomic indicators such as GDP, equity markets, and employment. The Vermeulens team presents its construction labor weather map to identify regional cost pressure zones and multi-scenario forecasts for the next two years. Attendees will leave with actionable frameworks for setting contingencies, calibrating escalation assumptions, and managing capital planning risk in an unpredictable economic environment.