Construction Starts Grow 1% in January

Topline growth obscures general weakness BOSTON, MA — February 20, 2026 — Total construction starts expanded 0.7% in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.24 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential building starts fell by 15.4%, residential starts decreased 6.4%, and nonbuilding starts grew 24.3% over the month. On a year-over-year basis, total construction starts were up 5.0% …