Four years after the passage of the IIJA, funding remained strong during Q3 2025 as public contractors dug into civil jobs and the ongoing data center boom.

Commercial construction appears strong at year’s end, but new data and field reporting reveal a more complicated picture beneath the surface. What’s really driving the market now? 

It’s not just about attracting younger workers to the industry. It’s also about keeping them once they’re here.

Contractors face rising materials costs and shifting market signals as new ABC data point to softening backlog and confidence heading into 2026.