Construction Business Outlook Poll

AGC Workforce Survey data shows 88% of contractors report difficulty finding qualified workers. The construction workforce is aging (median age above 42), fewer young workers are entering the trades, and immigration policy changes have reduced available labor pools in many markets. The labor gap drives wage inflation, schedule delays, and quality variability across the industry.

AGC and Associated Builders and Contractors surveys consistently track material cost volatility as a top-three concern for contractors. Lumber, steel, concrete, and electrical components have each experienced sharp price swings in recent years. Contractors that hold fixed-price bids for extended periods absorb the most risk; escalation clauses in contracts are increasingly standard as a result.

AGC and ABC surveys show construction backlog varies significantly by region and specialty. Infrastructure and institutional work has strengthened due to federal spending programs, while commercial office and some residential segments have softened. The national trend matters less than the local and specialty-specific trend; contractors track their own backlog in months of contracted revenue.

NAHB and AGC surveys consistently identify permitting delays as a significant cost and schedule driver. Residential permits commonly take 2-6 weeks; commercial permits 2-4 months; complex or multi-jurisdictional permits 3-6+ months. Each month of delay adds carrying costs (land, financing, overhead) and compresses the construction window, increasing schedule pressure downstream.

Embedding the poll on your own site captures real sentiment data from your specific audience rather than relying on national surveys. You learn which challenges and backlog trends your visitors actually experience, and you can segment responses by traffic source to see how different referral channels compare. Most firms use the result to calibrate sales messaging, hiring plans, and market positioning.

NAHB and AGC industry research consistently identifies the timing as when the contractor is consistently turning away work for capacity reasons, has 6+ months of stable cash reserves to absorb steady payroll commitment, has documented operational processes to onboard new crew effectively, and has the administrative capacity (payroll, workers comp, scheduling) to support employees.

Subcontractors are typically cheaper on a per-hour basis (no payroll taxes, no benefits, no workers comp, no admin) but cost more per output hour because of coordination overhead, less control over schedule, and quality variability.

CFMA Financial Survey data places the average contractor bid win rate at roughly 25%, with top-quartile firms winning 30-35% of bids.

JBKnowledge ConTech Report and AGC industry research consistently identify four practices that lift contractor win rates: standardized estimating template or software, professional proposal presentation with clear scope and terms, fast turnaround within prospect-expected window, and disciplined bid follow-up at 48 hours and 7 days after submission.

AGC of America Project Delivery research consistently identifies five pre-construction foundations: all required permits and approvals (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, HOA if applicable), complete construction documents with finish selections made, fully secured financing with documented contingency reserve, contractor under contract with subcontractors and suppliers committed, and site prep complete with a documented project schedule.