While residential construction spending climbed over $36 billion in August--to reach it's highest point since October 2007--there were more than 676,500 fewer workers in the residential construction industry compared to eight years ago.

 

And that has led to big delays, which, combined with higher labor costs and concessions to buyers, adds up to a slimmer bottom line:

 

“Eventually, the higher costs, if we want these projects to go forward faster, are going to mean passing on the costs” to buyers, said Bernard Markstein, president of Markstein Advisors and a construction-industry consultant. That could price out some buyers.  Read more