Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 7.8 months in March, according to an ABC member survey conducted from March 22 to April 5, a decrease of 0.4 months from both the February 2021 and March 2020 readings.
ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins and staffing levels increased in March. All three indices remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations of growth over the next six months.
“There are two countervailing forces influencing backlog,” said Basu. “On the one hand, design work on new projects declined during most of the pandemic. Some of this is attributable to the need to socially distance, risk aversion and the jarring effects of the crisis on commercial real estate. The result has been fewer projects presently available for bid, which is consistent with declining backlog.
“On the other hand, the surprisingly strong economic recovery has brought projects that seemed dead back to life,” said Basu. “The boom in e-commerce and other tech segments has also produced greater levels of demand for construction of fulfillment and data centers. The overall result is that backlog is roughly where it was six months ago. Given that contractors remain confident regarding sales, employment and profit margins over the balance of the year, the expectation is that more projects will enter the design phase, bidding opportunities are set to rise and at some point backlog will reestablish an upward trajectory.”
Click here for a short video from ABC’s chief economist to see what the latest survey data mean for the construction industry.
Related Stories
Market Data | Aug 12, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: August 12, 2020
UC Davis's new dining commons and the pandemic is revolutionizing healthcare benefits.
Market Data | Aug 11, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: August 11, 2020
Elevators can be a 100% touch-free experience and the construction industry adds 20,000 employees in July.
Market Data | Aug 10, 2020
Dodge Momentum Index increases in July
This month’s increase in the Dodge Momentum Index was the first in all of 2020.
Market Data | Aug 10, 2020
Construction industry adds 20,000 employees in July but nonresidential employment dips
Association warns skid will worsen without new relief.
Market Data | Aug 10, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: August 10, 2020
Private student housing owners reap the benefits as campus housing de-densifies and race for COVID vaccine boosts real estate in life sciences hubs.
Market Data | Aug 7, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: August 7, 2020
BD+C's 2020 Color Trends Report and HMC releases COVID-19 Campus Reboot Guide for Prek-12 schools.
Market Data | Aug 6, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: August 6, 2020
Oklahoma State's new North Academic Building and can smart buildings outsmart coronavirus?
Market Data | Aug 5, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: August 5, 2020
San Jose's new tallest tower and Virginia is the first state to adopt COVID-19 worker safety rules.
Market Data | Aug 4, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: August 4, 2020
Construction spending decreases for fourth consecutive month and 100% affordable housing development breaks ground in Mountain View.
Market Data | Aug 3, 2020
Construction spending decreases for fourth consecutive month in June
Association officials warn further contraction is likely unless federal government enacts prompt, major investment in infrastructure as state and local governments face deficits.