“Prices for commodities less exposed to tariffs, like asphalt or crushed stone, will likely remain tame in the coming months due to soft demand for construction services. While that may limit increases in overall materials prices, trade policy will continue to put upward pressure on certain materials.”
Anirban Basu, Associated Builders & Contractors
“Our low-cost operations continue to generate strong cash flow that we are investing to advance our operational efficiency and our low-cost position. We continued to make good progress this quarter on our projects to modernize our Laramie, Wyoming, cement plant and our Duke, Oklahoma, gypsum wallboard plant. These growth investments will lower each plant’s cost structure, improve their reliability and expand their production capabilities, which will strengthen our already low-cost competitive position. We are highly confident that our strong market position, advantaged capital structure and rigorous operating discipline position us for continued success over the long term.”
Michael Haack, Eagle Materials
“AI is becoming an increasingly important tool for construction firms facing tighter labor markets and more complex projects. Firms are using technology to improve efficiency, manage risk and maintain productivity in a more uncertain environment.”
Julie Adams, Sage Advice
“Leaders are being forced to make sharper choices about where to compete and how much risk to take on. The market is supporting certain sectors and structures more than others, and performance in 2026 will depend on how well firms align their capacity and execution with those realities.”
Chris Daum, FMI
“Although a majority of states added construction employees over the year, employment has stalled in the latest month (December 2025). Too many projects have been postponed or canceled due to lack of funding, financing costs or policy uncertainty about tariffs and immigration enforcement.”
Ken Simonson, Associated General Contractors of America
“Nonbuilding construction, alongside data centers, was the primary engine of growth in 2025, supporting a 5.4 percent expansion in the total dollar value of starts. In square footage terms, however, building starts declined 4.7 percent alongside weaker residential, manufacturing and institutional activity.”
Sarah Martin, Dodge Construction Network
“It is hard for contractors to make reliable estimates on how much to charge for new construction projects when they don’t know how much prices will increase for key materials. Getting fair trade agreements completed will provide the kind of tariff and price stability contractors need to predict future costs.”
Jeffrey Shoaf, Associated General Contractors of America
“While the upper end of the housing market is holding steady, affordability conditions are taking a toll on the lower and mid-range sectors. Buyers are concerned about high home prices and mortgage rates, with down payments particularly challenging given elevated price-to-income ratios.”
Buddy Hughes, National Association of Home Builders
Related: Perspectives: Lower rates could spark a rebound, but risks remain
