Survey shows construction industry is optimistic about 2025 but there still some concerns

New data is out that shows how Florida contractors are preparing to meet the demand for 2025.Brian Turmail, the National Spokesman for the Associated General Contractors of America, said they conduct a survey every year. Officials in the industry said construction firms are optimistic.”With the election behind us and with the rates dropping a couple of quarter points down to like 1%, our phones are blowing up—not just in WPB but throughout the state,” said Kirby, President & CEO of Verdex Construction.Turmail said 46% of Florida respondents also cited material costs as a top concern. “Given that they’re not worried about supply chains, what that’s telling us is that they’re worried about the potential impact of tariffs and possible trade wars on the prices they pay for certain materials essential to construction.”Even though the supply chain problems in 2021 and 2022 are behind them, Turmail admits there are still worries about price increases.According to the survey, 71% say worker quality is a top concern—64% list an insufficient supply of workers and subcontractors, and 61% name rising labor costs. Turmail said the number one concern is workforce issues.”They’re worried they won’t have enough workers, primarily the craft construction workforce—the men and women who do the bulk of the construction work—to be able to keep pace with demands for all sector projects,” Turmail said.They are also urging President-elect Donald Trump and Congress to pass the Stronger Workforce for America Act, which boosts funding for post-secondary construction training programs and funding for high-school construction training programs.”Congress needs to act and do more about the Perkins, the Carl Perkins Act because that would push dollars down through the states to fund local high school technical training,” said Michelle DePotter, CEO of Florida East Coast AGC. “I think our youth are missing out on that.”Top Headlines:Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25 Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.

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