Major design firms have set up the starting blocks and are ready to begin the sprint for a rapidly expanded marketplace. After the election of Donald Trump, companies report positive signs in most markets. Early economic news has been encouraging, as job creation in the private sector spiked in the first quarter of 2017. But the failure of the president and Congress to agree on a health-care reform package and a tax-cut program has many firms worrying that it may be a while before the starting gun goes off.
Many large designers say the current market continues to be healthy and believe it will stay that way in the near term. Some firms point to early indications that clients, particularly on the private-sector side, think the new administration will cut taxes and regulations, encouraging new capital investments. Further, Trump’s vow to aid in the rebuilding of U.S. infrastructure have those in the public sector anxious to get started. All this points to a continued strong construction market. However, many of the top U.S. design firms are adopting a “wait-and-see” attitude.