2k7_Supporting Statement_C700-Part B2907.wpd

SUPPORTING STATEMENT - PART B

Construction Progress Reporting Surveys

Form C-700, Construction Project Report (Private Construction Projects)

Form C-700 (SL), Construction Project Report (State and Local Governments Projects)

Form C-700 (R), Construction Project Report (Multi-Family Residential Projects)

Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods of Collection

1. Universe and Respondent Selection

The monthly universe for private construction is 7,000 projects with an estimated sample size of 800 new projects selected each month. State and local governments have a monthly universe of approximately 6,000 projects with an estimated sample size of 600 new projects selected each month. The monthly universe for multi-family is approximately 4,000 projects with an estimated sample size of 275 new projects selected each month. Construction projects stay in sample until conclusion of the project (an average of 12 months). On average 14,600 projects report monthly. The response rate for private construction is currently 64 percent, 89 percent for state and local, and about 72 percent for multi-family.

2. Procedures for Collecting Information

Private construction and state and local government surveys use information from McGraw-Hill Construction (MHC) to identify projects valued at $75,000 or more. Projects in areas not covered by building permit systems or reported by MHC are obtained by Census field staff within a small number of non-permit areas, and are selected with certainty. Projects are stratified by type of construction and valuation. Each month a sample of new privately owned multiunit residential building projects is selected from the sampled cases used in the Census Bureau’s Housing Starts Survey. All projects with 5 or more housing units are selected.

Once a project is selected it remains in the sample until it is completed. Monthly construction project reports are requested from the appropriate owner, contractor, builder, or agent responsible for the project. Preprinted forms are mailed monthly to respondents to fill in current month data and any revisions to previous months. Some respondents are later called by a Census Bureau interviewer and report the data over the phone. We use a computer-assisted interview process identified as Call Scheduler. This is part of a database system that not only alerts the Census interviewer to call a respondent at a predetermined date and time, but also allows them to enter responses on-line at which time the data are electronically edited for accuracy and consistency. Having the information available from a database at the time of the interview greatly helps reduce the time respondents spend on the phone.

Estimates for state and local projects are benchmarked to data collected in the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Government Finances.Private industrial construction is benchmarked to the Annual Capital Expenditures Survey.

2. Methods to Maximize Response

To increase response rates, several attempts are made to collect information by telephone follow-up. If the respondent should have more than one project in the sample, information is requested for all projects with one telephone call. Each respondent is contacted at their requested time by the computer assisted interview process known as the Call Scheduler. In addition to telephone follow-ups, letters are mailed to respondents to increase response rates (Attachment E).

3. Testing of Procedures

No tests are currently being planned.

4. Contacts for Statistical Aspects and Data Collection

The Manufacturing and Construction Division (MCD) plans and coordinates the survey. This includes the design of the reporting forms, sample selection, instructions for collecting and editing information, tabulation and publication of the data.

The contact person for questions relating to the statistical aspects of the survey is Mr. Paul L. Hsen, Assistant Chief for Research and Methodology. He can be reached on (301) 763-4586.

The contact person for questions relating to the collection and analysis of the data is Mr. Michael Davis, Chief, Construction Expenditures Branch. He can be reached on (301) 763-1605.

Attachments:

4. Form C-700 Construction Project Report (Private Construction)

5. Form C-700 (R)Construction Project Report (Multi-Family Residential)

6. Form C-700 (SL) Construction Project Report (State and Local Governments)

7. Respondent Letters from Director (C-700 and C-700(R))

D-1 Respondent Letters from Director (C-700(SL))

E. Follow-up Letters