Construction Economics Entering 2026
The Economic Situation and What Lies Ahead
With the books for 2025 ready to be closed and knuckles still white from the roller coaster ride generated by President Trump’s first year policy actions, and all this compounded by war, terrorist attacks, and a recovering post-COVID world, Dr. Bruce Yandle provides his report with a summary forecast for the next four quarters. Read More
Reading the Signs: Why Economic Indicators Matter for Construction Executives
Construction leaders often pride themselves on instinct—the ability to “read the market” from conversations with clients, lenders, or subcontractors. But in today’s environment of volatility and complexity, instinct alone is not enough. To build resilient, forward-looking strategies, construction executives must treat economic indicators the way builders treat blueprints: as essential guides to navigating uncertainty. Read More
ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Falls Sharply in November, Confidence in Profit Margins Dips
Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 8.1 months in November, according to an ABC member survey conducted Nov. 20 to Dec. 8. The reading is down 0.3 months since both October 2025 and November 2024. Read More
Let’s Talk Construction: 2026 Commercial Construction Economic Outlook
Let’s Talk Construction’s Rick Jenkins recently sat down with CarolinaPower’s Brian Gallagher to discuss the economic climate and outlook for the Carolinas in 2026. Watch Video
From Boom and Pause to Balanced Growth: What’s Next for the Southeast Industrial Market
After several years defined by extremes, the Southeast industrial market is showing signs of shifting toward steadier footing in 2026. The post-pandemic boom of 2021–2022 created record construction and aggressive speculative development. Frampton Construction Kirk Matthews, PE provides his outlook on the Industrial market. Read More
FMI Releases 2025 North American Engineering and Construction Outlook: Fourth Quarter
Total U.S. engineering and construction spending is forecast to decline 1% in 2025 after a 6% rebound in 2024. The market reflects late-cycle dynamics, with residential and manufacturing weakening in the short-term, while infrastructure and select institutional categories continue to advance. Read More
Office Space Demand Forecast
According to NAIOP, the office market posted its strongest quarter since 2022, swinging from negative absorption to nearly 20 million square feet of positive demand. That momentum, however, only brings demand roughly flat year-over-year, as early-2025 weakness still weighs on the totals. Slower new construction and creative reuse are easing pressure, but vacancy continues to inch upward—proof the office reset is progress, not a comeback tour. Read More
Dodge Construction Outlook: Construction Hits the Brakes Before Finding Its Footing: What the 2026 Outlook Signals for What’s Next
After a post-pandemic surge fueled by infrastructure spending, semiconductors, and data centers, the construction market is hitting a pause button as economic uncertainty, labor constraints, and policy shifts reshape the landscape. Dodge’s 2026 Outlook points to a softer 2025, with owners slow-rolling projects, before a gradual reacceleration led by data centers, infrastructure, and select megaprojects. The takeaway: volatility is the new normal, and the winners will be those who plan early, price risk smartly, and stay nimble as 2026 comes into focus. Read More
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