In last year’s ranking of general contractors, the Top 100 reached a record high of $19.6 billion of work performed in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico in calendar year 2008. This year’s Top 100 (ranked with 2009 revenue) only managed to bring in $14.2 billion, a drop of 27.7%. At no other point in the 14-year history of Southwest Contractor’s ranking has there been as precipitous of a drop.

Austin Bridge & Road crews pour concrete for Arizona’s $100.8-million Loop 303 Happy Valley Road to Lake Pleasant Parkway project.
Photo: David Huff
Austin Bridge & Road crews pour concrete for Arizona’s $100.8-million Loop 303 Happy Valley Road to Lake Pleasant Parkway project.

This year’s Top 100 contractors closely matched revenue results from calendar year 2006, when $14.1 billion of work was reported.

Arizona’s contractors as a group experienced a 34.9% drop from $10.2 billion in 2008 to $6.6 billion in 2009. Chanen Construction Co. took over the top Arizona spot this year, posting a gain in revenue over 2008 with projects such as Talking Stick Resort, which opens this month.

Revenue for contractors working in Nevada fell 25.9% over the previous year.

Phoenix-based Perini Building Co. took the top spot in Nevada and on the entire Southwest chart, posting over $2.8 billion, mostly in Nevada with CityCenter and McCarran International Airport’s Terminal 3.

The smaller New Mexico market also fell the least, dropping 18.6% over the previous year to $1.43 billion. The Jaynes Cos. took the top spot in the state, one of the few firms this year to see an uptick in revenue.

Once again you’ll find a variety of breakout charts, from transportation to water supply. DPR Construction and Stevens Leinweber Construction tied for first place in our exclusive safety ranking.

Several new charts this year include more detailed rankings of building types such as health care and renovation. We are also proud to bring you our first annual ranking of the Top Green Building Contractors.

If you would like to participate in future rankings, please contact the editors.