Dodge Construction Network Forecast Highlights

If you want a clear read on where construction is headed, Dodge Construction Network is one of the first places the industry looks. Their forecasts shape how owners plan, how GCs staff up, and how much work lands in subcontractor inboxes.

The short version of the outlook: work is still there, but it is shifting. Some sectors are cooling. Others are heating up. And the pressure on subs is not going away. It is changing shape.

Here are the highlights that matter most for subcontractors.

Total Construction Spending Is Holding, Not Exploding

Dodge forecasts show overall construction activity staying relatively steady rather than booming. This is not a slowdown across the board, but it is not a surge either.

For subs, this means competition stays tight. GCs are still bidding aggressively. Owners are still cautious with budgets. You are not fighting a shrinking market, but you are fighting for position in a crowded one.

Steady volume favors subs who bid selectively and avoid chasing everything that moves.

Manufacturing and Infrastructure Stay Strong

Manufacturing construction continues to stand out. Semiconductor plants, EV facilities, and battery projects are still driving activity, especially in certain regions.

Infrastructure also remains solid due to public funding and long-term programs. Roads, bridges, utilities, and related work provide stability even when private development slows.

Subs tied to these sectors are seeing longer pipelines, but also tighter compliance and schedule expectations. The work is there, but it is not casual.

Commercial Building Is More Uneven

Office construction remains soft in many markets. Retail is selective. Hospitality depends heavily on location.

Healthcare and education tend to hold up better, though projects move slower and face more scrutiny.

For subs, this unevenness means bid quality matters more than bid quantity. Some jobs look good on paper but stall or get rebid late. Filtering becomes critical.

Residential Is Cooling, But Not Uniformly

Single-family construction has slowed compared to recent highs, driven by interest rates and affordability. Multi-family is mixed. Some markets are still active, others are pulling back hard.

Subs working residential need to watch backlog carefully. Volume can change fast. Dodge forecasts suggest fewer surprise surges and more cautious starts.

That puts pressure on subs to stay flexible with crews and pricing.

Labor Constraints Are Built Into the Forecast

Dodge does not predict labor relief anytime soon. Retirements continue. Skilled workers remain hard to replace.

This matters because it limits how fast the industry can grow even when demand exists. For subs, labor availability becomes a competitive filter.

GCs award work to teams they believe can staff it. Price still matters, but reliability matters more when labor is tight.

Schedules Stay Compressed

Forecasts show owners pushing for shorter timelines to control costs and reduce exposure. That pressure flows downstream.

Subs should expect:

• Faster bid turnarounds
• Less schedule float
• More overlap between trades
• Higher penalty risk when things slip

This is not temporary. It is becoming the norm.

What the Forecast Really Means for Subcontractors

Dodge data points to a market that rewards discipline, not volume.

Winning subs are doing a few things well:

• Filtering jobs more aggressively
• Protecting margin early
• Being honest about capacity
• Communicating schedule risk clearly
• Running cleaner bid processes

The forecast does not say “brace for collapse.” It says “be smart.”

Where Riffle Fits

As work stays steady and pressure increases, workflow becomes the difference.

Riffle helps subcontractors:

• Organize ITBs as volume stays high
• Filter opportunities faster
• Track deadlines without guessing
• Keep versions clean
• Align PMs and estimators
• Reduce the chaos that eats margin

Forecasts shape the market. Workflow determines who wins inside it.

What Subs Should Do Next

Based on where the market is headed:

• Bid fewer jobs with more confidence
• Plan crews with less optimism and more clarity
• Expect faster schedules and tighter reviews
• Use tools that reduce noise, not add it

The next year favors subcontractors who stay organized and intentional. Dodge shows the direction. It is up to subs to execute.

Join the waitlist at rifflecm.com.

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