Contractor Survey: Private Market Expected to Expand in 2012
Significantly fewer construction firms are planning to make layoffs in 2012 than at any point in the past few years according to survey results released today by AGC of America and Computer Guidance Corporation. The survey conducted as part of the 2012 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook shows many firms expect key private sector market segments to expand this year even as the overall outlook remains mixed.
Compared to national responders Washington State contractors are a bit more optimistic about 2012. When asked if the dollar volume of various construction segments would be higher lower or the same in 2012 Washington contractors were more likely to say higher for seven of eleven segments. By construction segment those that say 2012 will see an increase:
• Highway -- 28% of Washington State contractors say higher; 19% nationally.
• Other Transportation -- 25% Washington; 14% nationally.
• Water/Sewer -- 9% Washington; 22% nationally.
• Power -- 26% Washington; 31% nationally.
• Manufacturing -- 48% Washington; 25% nationally.
• Hospital/Higher Ed -- 43% Washington; 34% nationally.
• Retail/Warehouse/Lodging -- 35% Washington; 22% nationally.
• Public Building -- 18% Washington; 17% nationally.
• Private Office -- 32% Washington; 21% nationally.
• K-12 School -- 9% Washington; 18% nationally.
“While there are some promising signs especially when it comes to construction employment the outlook for the industry is mixed” said Stephen E. Sandherr AGC of Americas chief executive officer. “More than four years after demand for commercial construction began to plummet economic conditions remain difficult.”
Sandherr noted that far fewer firms are planning on making layoffs this year only 9 percent in 2012 compared with 37 percent last year and 55 percent in 2010. He added that 32 percent of firms report they plan to add new staff in 2012 (40 percent in Washington State). Even more positive half of those firms report plans to add 6 or more new employees during the next 12 months.
In addition many contractors report they continue to be impacted by tight credit conditions. Nearly half – 49 percent – of responding firms report that tighter lending conditions have forced their customers to delay or cancel construction projects. Perhaps related to the tough credit environment 60 percent of firms expect demand for green construction projects to either stagnate or decline in 2012.
“There are definitely some conflicting trends when it comes to contractors’ expectations for 2012” said Ken Simonson the associations chief economist. “The construction industry will improve this year but we are going to have to wait until at least 2013 before contractors experience the kind of recovery this industry needs.”
Simonson added that contractors appear cautious with their plans for acquiring new construction equipment. Many more firms report plans to lease instead of purchase new equipment. Only 40 percent of firms report they plan to buy new equipment this year while 66 percent plan to lease. Even as they shift toward more leasing firms’ appetite for new equipment remains modest with 57 percent saying they will buy $250000 or less in equipment and 70 percent saying they will lease $250000 or less worth of equipment this year.
Contractors also report being caught between stagnant bid levels and rising materials prices. Eighty-six percent of firms report they expect their materials prices to increase in 2012 even as 80 percent say they expect bid levels to stagnate or decline this year. Adding to the cost squeeze 81 percent reported their health care costs went up in 2011 and 82 percent expect their health care costs to increase in 2012.
A growing number of firms appear to be focused on increasing efficiency and reducing costs by taking advantage of Building Information Modeling services also known as BIM association officials noted. Thirty-one percent of firms report they currently use the technology up from just 8 percent from last year. And 47 percent report they expect the use of BIM to increase in 2012.
“As a result of the tight market conditions firms are trying to find the best way to leverage their investments in new information technology” said Roger Kirk Computer Guidance’s president and CEO. “Contractors are looking for software and technology that increases the efficiency of existing staff and allows firms to do more with fewer people.”
Kirk noted that 55 percent of firms report they plan to invest in their information technology departments in 2012. He added however that companies looking to invest in replacing older software are looking at ways to avoid large-scale up front investments. For example while only 9 percent of firms reported plans to purchase new software one-third of firms report they would consider leasing or financing new software. Interest in Cloud-based computing appears to be growing among construction firms Kirk noted.
Click here for complete survey results.