What Happened
Strong Demand and Rising Pressure in Commercial Construction
The commercial construction market continues to show resilience in 2026, driven by strong demand for data centers, advanced manufacturing, and infrastructure. However, labor shortages, material escalation, and supply chain uncertainty are putting pressure on budgets and schedules. According to Design Collaborative’s Chief Cost Estimator Thad Berkes, companies should expect projects to be shaped by persistent escalation and labor shortages, and should be disciplined during budgeting, design, and preconstruction. This article was first reported by Building Design + Construction.