US Construction Sector
Industry Profile Report
Dive Deep into the industry with a 25+ page industry report (pdf format) including the following chapters
Industry Overview Current Conditions, Industry Structure, How Firms Operate, Industry Trends, Credit Underwriting & Risks, and Industry Forecast.
Call Preparation Call Prep Questions, Industry Terms, and Weblinks.
Financial Insights Working Capital, Capital Financing, Business Valuation, and Financial Benchmarks.
Industry Profile Excerpts
Industry Overview
The 801,704 construction sector establishments are involved in the clearing and preparation of land; building of structures and infrastructure; installation of mechanical systems, nonstructural components and finishings; and the remodeling and expansion of existing structures. The sector is segmented into construction of buildings (residential and nonresidential), heavy and civil engineering, and specialty trades.
Dependence on the Economy and Market
Demand for construction is highly dependent on economic health and can vary considerably across markets.
Seasonal and Weather-Related Factors
Seasonality and weather conditions affect project timelines and contractors’ ability to perform work.
Industry size & Structure
The construction sector is comprised of 801,704 establishments that employ 8 million workers and generate $3 trillion in annual revenue, according to government sources.
- The construction sector represents 4% of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 5% of the country's workers.
- The specialty trade contracting segment is highly fragmented: the 50 largest specialty trade firms represent 7% of segment revenue. The 50 largest building construction firms represent 20% of segment revenue; the 50 largest heavy and civil works firms represent 26% of segment revenue.
- The construction sector has a high volume of independent contractors with no employees. The number of nonemployer establishments is about 837,826 in building construction, 38,909 in heavy and civil works, and 1.8 million in specialty contracting. The owner of nonemployer establishments typically performs the work or subcontracts labor for large or complex jobs.
- The construction sector shed 78,000 establishments in 2021, which equals about 8.5% of existing establishments, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the industry added 98,000 new establishments, which is equivalent to 10.7% of existing establishments. As a result, the construction sector has an average growth rate of 2.2%.
- The construction sector is forecast to grow its employment base by 4.7% overall in 2023-2033, which is higher than the national average of 4% for all jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Industry Forecast
US Construction Sector Industry Growth
Recent Developments
Oct 31, 2024 - Construction Backlog Rises
- The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Construction Backlog Indicator rose by 0.4 months to 8.6 months in September compared to August. Backlogs were down 0.4 months compared to September 2023’s 9 months. November’s construction backlog growth was driven by the heavy industrial segment, which rose to 8.9 months in September compared to August’s 8.2 months. The commercial and institutional backlog rose by 0.6 months, and the infrastructure backlog fell by 1.2 months. The ABC’s Construction Confidence Index for sales rose to 58.1 in September from 53.8 in August. A Confidence Index sales reading of 50 or more indicates most contractors are optimistic about sales. ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu said that contractor optimism likely stems from interest rates moving lower, and an expectation that they will continue to drop. Contractors may also be encouraged by the downward trend in materials costs throughout 2024.
- North American construction and engineering spending in 2024 is expected to grow by about 5%, according to FMI’s fourth-quarter 2024 North American Engineering and Construction Outlook. With growth of 29%, public safety will lead 2024 nonresidential building construction, followed by manufacturing (21%), amusement and recreation (10%), transportation (5%), and educational (4%). Commercial construction spending is expected to decline 8% in 2024 amid weaker demand for warehousing space. Lodging construction spending is forecast to drop 6%, and stubbornly high office vacancies will continue to weigh on new office construction, which is projected to rise 1% in 2024. Amid moderating interest rates, single-family construction spending is forecast to rise 5% in 2024. A recent jump in new apartment supply is expected to reduce multifamily spending by 4% in 2024. With an increase of 14%, water supply will lead 2024 growth in the infrastructure sector, followed by sewage and waste disposal (9%), power (7%), and highway and street (4%).
- Demand for building design services remained soft in September, according to an October report by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The AIA’s Architecture Billing Index (ABI) was flat at 45.7 in September. Any reading of 50 or more indicates growth in architectural billings. September was the twentieth consecutive month to see a downward trend in billings. The score for new project inquiries dropped to 51.6 in September compared to 52.4 in August, but the index for new design contracts increased from 47.3 to 48.3. The AIA’s Chief Economist, Kermit Baker said, “Despite recent rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, many clients remain on the sidelines with regard to proceeding on planned projects. And while new project opportunities also emerge, clients are cautious about which to pursue. Fortunately, architecture firms report backlogs of 6.4 months on average, which remain above pre-pandemic levels and are an indication that there is existing work in the pipeline.”
- Home remodeling spending is expected to resume stronger growth by the middle of 2025, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) report released in October by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard. Homeowner improvements and repairs are expected to decrease 2.1% to $469 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to Q4 2023. In the first quarter of 2025, remodeling spending will drop 2.1% from Q1 2024 to $454 billion. Spending will then rise to $473 billion in Q2 2025, up 0.6% from Q2 2024. In the third quarter of 2025, year-over-year spending is forecast to increase by 1.2% to $477 billion. The Joint Center expects improvements to be supported by improving existing home sales and higher home values, which will boost spending for necessary replacement and discretionary remodeling projects.
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