CLARKONOMICS: A recent report in The Washington Post revealed how states are getting an unexpected windfall from construction jobs they've bid out coming in under budget.

Construction firms that typically seek state contracts are in a deep depression and there's fierce competition in the industry.

Likewise, the residential construction business is also ailing. So if you are in a position to afford it, this is a great opportunity for you to do a renovation on your home; have an addition installed on your house; or have your home retro-fitted for energy purposes.

During the peak of the real estate market, there was a certain disregard for the customer. Very often, contractors would say they'd show up at a certain time and then never materialize. Now that coin has flipped.

The old rule of thumb about expecting a job to run twice as long and cost twice as much as initially quoted is out the window. Today, your job is likely to finish on or before schedule because all the subs that a contractor might use are available and waiting for work.