ABC Survey: Contractor Backlog Increased in June
Construction backlog was highest for large companies.
Courtesy of Associated Builders and Contractors
The Associated Builders and Contractors' (ABC) Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.7 months in June, according to a member survey, the association announced. The figure is up by 0.3 months compared to both May 2025 and June 2024.
“Despite a wide array of headwinds and disappointing construction spending data in recent months, backlog rebounded to 8.7 months in June, the same level as in April,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu in a statement.
Companies with more than $100 million in annual revenue recorded the highest backlog, at 11.9 months, while firms with revenue below $30 million averaged an 8-month backlog, the lowest backlog reported by revenue size.
Regionally, contractors in the Northeast and South regions reported the highest backlog, at 9.2 and 9.4 months, respectively. ABC's Middle States region recorded the lowest backlog, at 7.3 months.
“The durability of contractor backlog is partially due to the ongoing boom in data center construction; 1 in 7 ABC members is currently under contract to perform work on a data center,” Basu noted.
“In addition to longer backlog, contractors remain broadly optimistic, with 3 in 5 contractors expecting their sales to rise during the second half of 2025,” Basu said, adding that economic uncertainty persists.
“Notably, this survey predates the most recent trade policy announcements, and 1 in 5 contractors had a project interrupted or paused due to tariffs in June," he said. "With some of the newest import taxes putting upward pressure on construction input prices, profit margin expectations may face pressure in the months to come.”
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