Although the construction industry is generally seen as on the rise nationally, some parts of the country have been slower than others when it comes to recovery. The Miami Herald recently reported that construction spending in South Florida is finally starting to pick up, although new housing is still down considerably.
Contractors in South Florida are beginning to spend money again, with taxable sales of construction products up 9 percent in Miami-Dade county in November, the last month that data is available. That's the fourth-straight month of gains for the industry, although housing permits are still 80 percent behind their peak levels.
Most construction company owners in the area attribute the growth to a rise in custom-home building in affluent neighborhoods, which can be big projects for small construction firms.
"It's going better than I expected six months ago," University of Florida economist David Denslow told the news source. "Remember, six months ago we were worried about a double dip. Now all of the evidence is pointing the other way."
Contractors that are looking to spend on new projects may still be looking to save money. The online auction website IronPlanet is a good choice, as it allows bidders to browse a wide selection of used construction equipment like backhoes and excavators in various price ranges.
