Tariffs, labour shortages and funding fears cloud contractors’ 2026 outlook
09 January 2026
Construction contractors in the US have lowered their expectations for 2026, with optimism concentrated in data centres and power projects, according to a new survey from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and Sage.
The report – Dampened Expectations: The 2026 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook – found contractors are increasingly concerned about the broader economy, while also reporting disruption from tariffs, immigration enforcement and ongoing difficulty finding qualified workers.
“While there are pockets of optimism in select private-sector markets, contractors’ overall sentiment has…
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