ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Rises Again in September on Data Center Strength

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 8.7 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted Sept. 21 to Oct. 5. The reading is up 0.2 months on both a monthly and yearly basis.  Commercial and institutional backlog, which dipped in the middle of 2026, rose to the highest level since July 2025. Heavy industrial backlog, while still up 0.5 months over the past year, fell to its lowest level since March. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index reading for staffing increased in September, while the readings for sales and profit margins fell. The readings […]

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Data Center Construction Spending Growing at 149% Annualized Pace Since March

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National nonresidential construction spending increased 0.7% in August, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.309 trillion. Spending was up on a monthly basis in 11 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending was up 1.0%, while public nonresidential construction spending was up 0.2% in August. “Nonresidential construction spending increased for the fifth consecutive month in August as data center investment accelerates,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Frankly, it’s becoming difficult to contextualize the size and speed of this boom. […]

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ABC: Construction Layoffs Fall to All-Time Low in August

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The construction industry had 251,000 job openings on the last day of August, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings decreased by 48,000 last month but are up by 38,000 from the same time last year. “The August JOLTS data indicate that both the demand for and supply of construction workers are decreasing,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Job openings fell to the lowest […]

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ABC Survey: 1 in 6 Members Perform Data Center Work; Backlog Rebounds in August

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator rebounded to 8.5 months in August, according to an ABC member survey conducted Aug. 20 to Sept. 4. The reading is up 0.5 months from July and unchanged on a year-ago basis.  Only the largest contractors experienced a decline in backlog in August. On a year-over-year basis, backlog gains are concentrated among the smallest contractors (those with less than $30 million in annual revenues). ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales and profit margins increased in August, while the reading for staffing levels fell. The readings for all three components […]

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Construction Materials Prices Jump Again in August

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Construction input prices increased 1.2% in August compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 1.2% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 8.9% higher than one year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 8.8% higher. Prices increased in 2 of the 3 energy subcategories last month. Crude petroleum prices expanded 5.2% and unprocessed energy materials prices rose 1.5%, while natural gas prices were down 11.6% in August. “Construction input prices surged again in August, and […]

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