KEY POINTS
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ConstructConnect announced that Total U.S. Construction Starts in January 2026 surged to $80.3 billion, marking a 53.3% YoY increase and a $16.7 billion rise from December 2025.
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Megaprojects contributed $26.3 billion, while Civil/Heavy Engineering slipped 4.6% YoY amid Airport and Bridge declines, partly offset by infrastructure gains.
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Nonresidential Building starts jumped 107.8% YoY in January 2026, driven by megaproject-fueled Offices (including Data Centers) and strong Hospital/Clinic growth.
ConstructConnect’s latest construction market analysis reveals that Total U.S. Nonresidential Construction Starts — the combined sum of Nonresidential Building and Civil Construction — for January 2026 reached $80.3 billion.
This result represents a significant $16.7 billion increase from December 2025, and a 53.3% rise compared to January of last year.
ConstructConnect Chief Economist Michael Guckes said, “Nonresidential construction starts roared into the new year. This marks the highest January total on record and only the fifth time monthly spending has surpassed $80 billion.”
Guckes reported that megaprojects—defined as those valued at $1 billion or more—played a pivotal role, accounting for $26.3 billion of January’s total.
Shown in an image is the Total U.S. Nonresidential Construction Starts — the combined sum of Nonresidential Building and Civil Construction — for January 2026, which reached $80.3 billion. Image: ConstructConnect Construction Economy Snapshot
Nonresidential Building Surges
Nonresidential Building experienced remarkable year-over-year (YoY) growth, closing January 2026 107.8% higher than January 2025.
Guckes reported that the surge was driven by megaprojects, which propelled Offices, including Data Centers, to their highest-ever single-month starts total and delivered substantial gains in Hospitals and Clinics.
Michael Guckes, Chief Economist, ConstructConnect
January’s Nonresidential Building growth, Guckes reported, was also supported by Transportation Terminals, yet at a more modest level.
In contrast, Airports (taxiways & runways), Bridges, and Sports Arenas/Convention Centers faced the steepest declines compared to their year-ago levels.
Civil Construction Dips in January
Civil starts (also called Heavy Engineering) ended January 4.6% lower than the same period last year, driven by declines in Airports and Bridges. However, gains in Power Infrastructure and Water, Sewage, and Treatment construction helped to largely offset losses in other subcategories.
Residential Starts Post a Weak 2026 Open
Residential starts opened 2026 with a steep decline of over 28%, driven primarily by significant drops in Multi-Family construction. Single-Family starts also fell, though to a lesser extent. This slow start follows three consecutive years of contraction in Residential construction starts.
Read the Construction Economy Snapshot for more details on construction labor, trends, and regional analysis.
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At ConstructConnect, our software solutions provide the information construction professionals need to start every project on a solid foundation. For more than 100 years, our insights and market intelligence have empowered commercial firms, manufacturers, trade contractors, and architects to make data-driven decisions and maximize productivity.
ConstructConnect is a business unit of Roper Technologies (Nasdaq: ROP), part of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000.
For more information, visit constructconnect.com
