Wednesday, June 11, 2025
An ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) member survey conducted from May 20 to June 3 revealed that Associated Builders and Contractors’ Construction Backlog Indicator dropped to 8.4 months in May, the company reported on June 10. The value has increased by 0.1 months since May 2024.
The South was the only region to see a decrease in May, despite having the biggest backlog of any region. The only region with a higher backlog year over year is the Northeast; the other three saw yearly decreases. While sales and personnel numbers saw declines in May, ABC’s Construction Confidence Index reading for profit margins increased. Expectations for growth over the next six months are shown by the values for all three components staying over the 50 level.
“The impacts of tariffs are increasingly apparent, with nearly 1 in 4 ABC member contractors reporting tariff-related project cancellations or delays in May,” stated ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “While 87% of survey respondents have been notified of tariff-related materials price increases, profit margin expectations improved in May. “Of course, this survey was largely conducted before the announcement of the now-implemented 50% steel and aluminum tariffs, and margins will likely come under pressure in the coming months,” affirmed Basu. He concluded, “Despite this potential headwind, approximately 6 out of 10 contractors expect their sales to increase over the next two quarters, suggesting widespread optimism about the outlook.”
About ABC
Associated Builders and Contractors, also known as ABC, the leading construction association in the country, offers a solid platform for the development of its members. Since 1950, ABC has assisted construction executives in building the places where America works, lives, plays, heals, learns, and prays by helping them enhance their abilities, manage a safe and productive workforce, find assistance, and build networks. Based on the merit shop concept, ABC and its 67 chapters around the country assist members in developing individuals, obtaining employment, and completing that employment in a safe, moral, and financially advantageous manner for the benefit of our communities. You’ll discover that we support the success of over 23,000 members by being member-driven and member-strong. More than two million workers and all specialties within the US construction sector are represented among ABC’s members.
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