Construction Backlog Indicator Rises, Contractor Optimism Slips in July

WASHINGTON — Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.8 months in July, according to an ABC member survey conducted July 24 to Aug. 4. The reading is up 0.4 months since July 2024. 

View ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index tables for July. View the full Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index data series.

Backlog is up on a year-over-year basis in every region except for the South. Despite the lack of growth, backlog in the South remains significantly longer than in any other region.

ABC’s Construction Confidence Index reading for sales and profit margins declined in July, while the reading for staffing levels rose to the highest level since April. The readings for all three components remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations for growth over the next six months.

“Backlog continued to rise in July despite the ongoing decline in construction spending,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Some of that strength can be attributed to the fact that 1 in every 8 ABC members is currently under contract to perform work on a data center project. Backlog in the infrastructure category has also increased considerably over the past year, and public construction activity has outperformed the private sector over the past several months.

“While backlog rose, contractor confidence slipped in July, especially with regards to profit margins,” said Basu. “Fewer than 2% of ABC members expect their profit margins to increase significantly over the next six months, the fewest since October 2024. This is likely due to trade policy and the recent acceleration in materials price escalation; more than 80% of ABC members have been notified of tariff-related price increases.”