For nearly two decades, ENR Southwest has ranked the peaks and valleys of construction revenue among the top specialty contracting firms of Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. This year's ranking will appear in the September issue of ENR Southwest, and an early preview backs up with hard numbers what many of us already knew – it was another tough year for subcontractors. In fact, it was the deepest of valleys yet experienced in this market.  

Echoing the results of the Top GC ranking—which appears in this month’s issue—Arizona and New Mexico subcontractors actually saw some improvement in 2011, but these modest gains were completely overshadowed by the vacuum of construction activity in Las Vegas. Overall, the 66 subcontractors that responded to this year’s survey performed $2.18 billion in work during 2011 in the region, down from $2.42 million in 2010.

As a point of reference, compare this to 2008, the peak year in the southwest for subcontractors. That year, the top 66 specialty contractors performed an incredible $5.27 billion of work in the three-state region.

Participation is also down quite a bit from past years. During the booming economy, around 200 subcontractors provided their revenue data. This year’s 66 participants demonstrate that many firms have merged, gone under or have become unwilling to divulge the extent of their revenue declines. However, with most firms suffering steep revenue declines, firms can actually move up in the rankings, despite a drop in workload.

One company from the ranking will be chosen as ENR Southwest’s Specialty Contractor of the Year. Which company do you think deserves this honor? Tell us in the comments below.

Here’s a list of the top subcontractors that will appear in the print and online editions. Note that this is in alphabetical order—you’ll have to read the September issue of ENR Southwest to see the actual rankings and which firm was #1!