Business

Housing construction up 29% in 2013

By Bill Moss, Published: September 24, 2013

The value of new residential construction is up 29 percent so far in 2013 while commercial building is running behind last year's level, Henderson County building inspections records show.

Commercial remodeling and additions, meanwhile, are running strong since July 1.
The county in August issued 34 permits for new residential construction, 61 for residential remodeling or additions, one for a new commercial building and 18 for commercial remodeling or additions.
The value of residential building based on permits the county issued was $8.15 million in August for a total in 2013 of $56.4 million, ahead of $43.7 million in the same period last year. Permits for new commercial construction so far in 2013 totaled $20.5 million, down 49.5 percent from $40.62 million for the first eight months of 2012. Total new construction for 2013 through August was $76.9 million, down from $84.3 million, or 8.8 percent, in the first eight months of 2012.
The new construction total also lagged for the 2013-14 fiscal year that started July 1. At $19.3 million the total was down 42 percent from the first two months of 2012-13.
Commercial remodeling and additions got off to a roaring start on July 1. The total value of commercial improvement work was $8.8 million, up 518 percent from the same period a year ago, of $1.43 million. Residential remodeling showed a modest gain of 5.8 percent. The value for all remodeling and additions of $11.3 million was up 198 percent over the first two months of the prior fiscal year.