IMA – Markets in Focus: Economic Overview & Market Update - Construction, Q1 2026

This report provides a comprehensive overview and market update of the construction economy as of the first quarter of 2026.

It covers current conditions such as spending, labor, and material costs, as well as forward-looking indicators like backlog, construction starts, and project stress. Key findings include a softening in residential construction spending, with total residential put-in-place spending declining by 1.2% year-over-year and single-family construction contracting by 6.1%. Multifamily construction shows more resilience with a 2.8% decline. Overall spending trends vary across construction categories.