From www.cp-dr.com.
If you are a regular visitor to our website, you know that we update our blog, "The Daily Shig," two to four times a week with news, analysis, and reports from our travels around the state and across the country. You also know that every blog entry contains multiple...

Building a haven: capacity is down and prices are up on insurance for construction companies, but these companies' ability and inclination to shoulder more of their own risk is also up. They hammer out difficulties with wrap-ups and construction defect liability with single-parent and group captives.
Demand for construction captives began to increase with the advent of the hard insurance market cycle in early 2000. Escalating premiums, lack of viable capacity and affordable coverage for potential construction defect, and diminished coverage opportunity drove many well-capitalized firms to enter into captive arrangements. Because many large risks...

Market reveals continued strength.
Continued low mortgage rates, coupled with continued strong demographics, continued to fuel the housing and related kitchen/bath markets through early summer, according to the latest round of housing-related news. Among the key statistics released by government agencies, research firms and industry-related trade associations in recent weeks were the following:...

Market proving there's no place like home.
The best year in the history of America's housing industry is heading toward the home stretch now, continuing to provide fuel for a kitchen and bath industry that's every bit as hot. But while the race for the record books will inevitably end with the 2005 calendar...

Early indicators point to another solid year.
Indicators continue to point to another solid year for housing and the kitchen/bath market in 2005, even as results from a highly positive 2004 continue to be compiled. Among the key statistics released by government agencies, research firms and industry-related trade associations in recent weeks were the following: ...

Records forseen, while market cools.
The housing market, expected to cool down from its blistering pace in recent months, should post new records in several key components this year, including home sales, remodeling expenditures and cabinet sales, the latest economic barometers reveal. Among the key statistics released by government agencies, research firms and industry-related...

Records posted, as market cools.
The nation's housing market, as expected, continues to cool from the torrid pace of 2005, although the year should shape up by most estimates to be very solid. Among the key statistics released by government agencies, research firms and industry-related trade associations in recent weeks were the following: ...

Brand-aid: how strategic tactics drive cabinet sales.
A homeowner walks into a kitchen showroom clutching an advertisement torn from a home decor magazine. She refers a showroom designer to the "cocoa mocha" cabinets depicted in the ad's ubiquitous "beauty shot" and inquires: "What do you have in this?" The designer now faces a fundamental...

Nonresidential setting records; pace to continue.
BOSTON -- If you've been busy, there are good reasons. And, don't expect to slow down any time soon. Reed Construction Data says the year-to-date value of nonresidential building starts through June 2007 was 19.7% higher than in the first half of 2006. Meanwhile, nonresidential starts in...

Slow growth predicted for N.E. economy.
Byline: Martin Luttrell BOSTON - New England's economy will see slow growth in the second half of the year, but will lag behind the nation as a whole due to the ongoing housing slump and slower job growth and per capita income growth. And the escalating price...