Health care facilities construction increased 31 percent. Office construction registered a 7 percent decline.
"The volume of total construction continues to be quite healthy, supported by what is still a brisk pace for homebuilding," says Robert A. Murray, vice president of economic affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction, which compiles the data. "Yet it's not providing the same upward push witnessed earlier in [2005]."
Other data showed public-building construction increased 25 percent and amusement-related projects rose 5 percent. School construction increased 1 percent. Warehouse construction increased 25 percent manufacturing plant construction decreased 70 percent.
Overall, construction slipped 1 percent, which includes figures from residential sectors.
By region, total construction from January 2005 to November 2005 was as follows:
• South Atlantic and West each up 12 percent
• Northeast and South Central each up 10 percent
• Midwest up 4 percent
