Updated
Updated · Turner Construction Company · Jul 24
Turner Building Cost Index Rises to 1552 in Q2 2026 as U.S. Demand Stays Strong
Updated
Updated · Turner Construction Company · Jul 24

Turner Building Cost Index Rises to 1552 in Q2 2026 as U.S. Demand Stays Strong

1 articles · Updated · Turner Construction Company · Jul 24

Summary

  • Turner said its U.S. non-residential building cost index reached 1552 in Q2 2026, up 1.44% from Q1 and 5.15% from a year earlier.
  • Strong demand in data centers, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and other mission-critical projects drove the increase, with activity especially firm in the Midwest and Southeast.
  • Skilled mechanical and electrical labor remains the industry's biggest constraint, according to Turner vice president Attilio Rivetti.
  • Material costs, tariff policy and supply-chain conditions are the main risks owners and contractors are watching, reinforcing early procurement and tighter project planning.

Insights

How might the AI data center boom secretly drive up costs for traditional commercial construction projects nationwide?
Will 2026 tariff policies on imported metals force a radical shift toward prefabricated construction solutions?
Could the severe shortage of skilled mechanical labor eventually burst the 2026 advanced manufacturing expansion bubble?