Construction Industry Statistics 2026: Costs, Materials, Housing & Trends
A comprehensive collection of construction industry statistics covering building costs, material prices, housing data, and labor market trends. All data sourced from government agencies and industry organizations.
Key Highlights
- 1.US construction spending reached $2.1 trillion in 2025
- 2.Building material prices have risen 37% cumulatively since 2020
- 3.Average new home construction cost is $392,200 ($150/sq ft)
- 4.The industry has 501,000 unfilled job openings monthly
- 5.Residential renovation market is worth $603 billion
- 6.47% of builders say more than half their projects are green
Industry Size & Growth
The construction industry is one of the largest sectors of the US economy, employing millions and contributing trillions to GDP. These numbers set the stage for understanding material and labor demand.
total US construction spending in 2025 (annual, seasonally adjusted)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Value of Construction Put in Place, 2025
construction's contribution to US GDP
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2025
total construction industry employment in the US
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2026
year-over-year growth in total construction spending
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 vs 2024
construction industry unemployment rate
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Q4 2025
projected global construction market by 2030
Source: Grand View Research, 2025
number of construction firms operating in the US
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2025
annual growth rate projected for US construction through 2028
Source: Dodge Construction Network, 2025 Outlook
Material Cost Statistics
Material prices have surged since 2020 due to supply chain disruptions and rising demand. Use our Concrete Calculator and Lumber Calculator to estimate material quantities for your project.
average price per thousand board feet of framing lumber
Source: Random Lengths, January 2026
average cost per cubic yard of ready-mix concrete delivered
Source: Engineering News-Record, Q4 2025
average price for structural steel (wide-flange beams)
Source: American Institute of Steel Construction, Q4 2025
average price of copper wire and pipe
Source: COMEX Copper Futures, January 2026
cumulative increase in building material prices since 2020
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, PPI Construction Materials 2025
average cost per sheet of 4x8 OSB (oriented strand board)
Source: Random Lengths, January 2026
average cost per roofing square for asphalt shingles (material only)
Source: National Roofing Contractors Association, 2025
year-over-year increase in cement prices
Source: Portland Cement Association, 2025
Housing Construction Statistics
The US faces a significant housing shortage, driving new construction activity. Plan your roofing needs with our Roofing Calculator.
total housing starts (annualized rate) in the US
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, December 2025
single-family housing starts (annualized rate)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, December 2025
average construction cost of a new single-family home
Source: National Association of Home Builders, Q3 2025
average cost per square foot for new single-family construction
Source: National Association of Home Builders, 2025
average time to complete a new single-family home from permit to finish
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Construction 2025
estimated housing shortage in the US
Source: National Association of Realtors, 2025
total building permits issued (annualized rate)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, December 2025
of new homes built with wood framing
Source: National Association of Home Builders, 2025
Renovation & Remodeling Statistics
Home renovation is a massive market as homeowners invest in their properties. Plan your next project with our Deck Calculator, Flooring Calculator, and Paint Calculator.
total US residential renovation and remodeling market size
Source: Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, 2025
median amount spent per remodeling project
Source: National Association of Home Builders Remodeling Survey, 2025
of homeowners completed at least one home improvement project in 2025
Source: HomeAdvisor/Angi State of Home Spending, 2025
average cost range for a major kitchen remodel
Source: National Kitchen and Bath Association, 2025
average ROI of a minor kitchen remodel at resale
Source: Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value Report, 2025
average ROI of garage door replacement (highest ROI project)
Source: Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value Report, 2025
average cost range for a bathroom remodel
Source: National Kitchen and Bath Association, 2025
average cost of a new deck addition
Source: Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value Report, 2025
Construction Labor Market & Safety
The construction workforce faces both a labor shortage and significant safety challenges. Understanding these trends is critical for anyone in the industry.
unfilled construction job openings monthly average
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, JOLTS 2025
average hourly wage for construction and extraction workers
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
average annual salary for construction and extraction occupations
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES May 2025
average age of a construction worker in the US
Source: CPWR Center for Construction Research, 2025
fatal work injuries in construction and extraction (2024)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries 2024
workplace fatalities occur in the construction industry
Source: OSHA Construction Safety Statistics, 2025
of construction fatalities are from falls (leading cause)
Source: OSHA Fatal Four Statistics, 2025
Green Building & Sustainability
Sustainable construction is accelerating as energy codes tighten and builders adopt green practices. Calculate energy-efficient upgrades with our Insulation Calculator.
US green building materials and services market size
Source: Grand View Research, 2025
of builders report more than half their projects are green
Source: Dodge Construction Analytics SmartMarket Report, 2025
energy savings in LEED-certified buildings vs conventional
Source: U.S. Green Building Council, 2025
LEED-certified commercial projects worldwide
Source: U.S. Green Building Council, 2025
of new homes meet 2021 IECC energy code or stricter
Source: International Code Council, 2025
average green building premium (3.5% above conventional)
Source: World Green Building Council, 2025
annual growth rate of the residential solar roofing market
Source: Solar Energy Industries Association, 2025
Average Cost per Square Foot by Project Type
Construction costs vary dramatically by project type and complexity. These averages include labor and materials but not land costs. Estimate your specific material needs with our Lumber Calculator.
| Project Type | Avg Cost / sq ft |
|---|---|
| Single-Family Home (Standard) | $150 |
| Single-Family Home (Custom) | $250 |
| Multi-Family / Apartment | $175 |
| Office / Commercial | $200 |
| Retail / Restaurant | $215 |
| Warehouse / Industrial | $90 |
| Garage / Carport | $55 |
| Deck / Patio | $35 |
| Kitchen Remodel | $175 |
| Bathroom Remodel | $200 |
| Room Addition | $165 |
| Basement Finish | $50 |
Sources: NAHB Cost of Construction Survey 2025, Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value Report 2025, RSMeans Data 2025. Costs are national averages and vary by region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to build a house in 2026?
Is there a labor shortage in the construction industry?
What home renovation has the highest return on investment?
How much have construction material costs increased?
How long does it take to build a new home?
Estimate Materials for Your Next Project
Use HammerIO's free construction calculators to get accurate material estimates for any home improvement or building project. No signup required.
Methodology & Sources
All statistics on this page are sourced from publicly available government data and industry research. Primary sources include the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Engineering News-Record (ENR), Remodeling Magazine, OSHA, the U.S. Green Building Council, and various commodity market reports. Where exact 2026 figures are not yet available, we use the most recent reliable data with clear source attribution.
This page is updated quarterly as new data becomes available. If you would like to cite these statistics, please link to this page as the source. For corrections or updated data, contact us.