Contractors’ backlogs have fallen to a four-year low, according to ABC data, yet contractors continue to remain optimistic about project timing despite what the downturn signals for 2026 workloads.
ABC’s December backlog uptick hints at steadier pipelines, but underlying data show uneven momentum across firm sizes as contractors navigate rates, labor pressures and starts.
Commercial construction appears strong at year’s end, but new data and field reporting reveal a more complicated picture beneath the surface. What’s really driving the market now?
Contractors report a shift in market momentum, with survey data showing signs of pressure in some sectors even as confidence holds above growth thresholds.