Reading two years side by side

Jurisdictions join or leave the dataset, and the fields they publish can change. A difference between raw yearly totals can reflect these changes as well as building activity.

Comparing totals without checking coverage can give a misleading impression of growth or decline.

Year-over-year comparisons here include only jurisdictions represented in both years. The panel shows the resulting dataset-level figure and category breakdown.

This improves comparability, but it does not remove every difference in reporting, descriptions or filing practices.

In the comparison shown, plumbing fixtures and openings increased, while outdoor structures and landscape irrigation decreased.

These are changes in matching filings. They do not establish changes in the amount of construction, demand for services or future workloads.

A comparison between individual years can be affected by storms, filing rules and publication schedules. Check the method and the period before drawing a conclusion.

Use the figures as historical context rather than a forecast for your project.