Top-Performing 2026 Construction Companies Named by ABC

Associated Builders and Contractors recently released its 2026 Top Performers lists, recognizing its contractor members’ outstanding achievements in health and safety, quality and project excellence, ranked by number of hours worked. “These contractors — which build the nation’s most enduring, innovative, high-quality construction projects — develop smart strategies that create a clear path for success, regardless of the circumstances,” said Michael Bellaman, ABC president and CEO. “ABC Top Performers all share commonalities like participation in ABC’s STEP Health and Safety Management System and ABC’s Accredited Quality Contractor credential. They find opportunity amid uncertainty, embrace competition, cultivate positive company culture, prioritize … Read more

Filed under: eNews, Industry NewsTagged with: ,

Construction Backlog, Contractor Confidence Outpace Year-Ago Levels in March

Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.6 months in March, according to an ABC member survey conducted March 23 to April 6. The reading is up 0.5 months from February and up 0.1 months from March 2025. View ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index for March. View the full Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index data series. The 15% of ABC member contractor respondents under contract to perform work on data centers had significantly longer backlog (10.6 months) than the 85% of contractors who are not (8.3 months). ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for profit margins … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , ,

Construction Employment Rebounds by 26,000 in March

The construction industry added 26,000 jobs in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has grown by 57,000 jobs, an increase of 0.7%. Nonresidential construction employment increased by 12,200 positions, with gains in all three subcategories. Nonresidential building added the most jobs, increasing by 4,500 positions. Nonresidential specialty trade and heavy and civil engineering added 3,900 and 3,800 jobs, respectively, in March. The construction unemployment rate was 6.7% in March. Unemployment across all industries dropped to 4.3%, but is still 0.1 percentage … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , ,

Slowest Rate of Construction Hiring on Record in February

The construction industry had 202,000 job openings on the last day of February, 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 28,000 in February and are down by 53,000 from the same time last year. “Construction hiring fell to the slowest rate on record in February,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “At the same time, contractors remained reluctant to lay off workers while … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , ,

Construction Hiring Remained Slow in January

The construction industry had 231,000 job openings on the last day of January, 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 14,000 in January and are down by 1,000 from the same time last year. “While construction hiring accelerated in January, rising to the fastest rate since the first half of 2025, that’s unfortunately not saying much,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , ,