2026 Construction Outlook: Key Findings for Contractors

Construction firms are navigating 2026 with mixed signals. While some sectors remain strong, rising costs, labor shortages, tariffs, and economic uncertainty are changing how firms plan, hire, and invest. At the same time, technology adoption is accelerating as the industry looks for ways to stay competitive.

In this webinar, Ken Simonson, Chief Economist at the Associated General Contractors of America, and Glen West, Director of Construction Strategy at Sage, break down the findings from the 2026 AGC and Sage Construction Hiring and Business Outlook. Drawing on responses from 951 construction firms across the US.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• Which construction segments contractors are most and least optimistic about in 2026
• What declining confidence in other markets means for backlog, bidding, and hiring plans
• Where AI is gaining traction, from administrative work to estimating and preconstruction
• How firms are responding to the real-world impact of immigration enforcement and other workforce challenges on job sites
• This webinar offers a grounded look at the forces shaping construction in the year ahead.