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New construction awards in Greater Houston continue to normalize in ’26 after two exceptionally strong years of activity, according to information from Dodge Data & Analytics. Approximately $14.1 billion in contracts were awarded year-to-date through May ’26, down 25.7 percent from the $19.0 billion awarded during the same period in ’25. Even so, activity was stronger than four out of the previous seven years on record.

After an unusually strong ’25, new contract awards are running below last year’s pace across all major sectors. The largest shifts were in miscellaneous non-residential structures (excluding commercial and manufacturing) and single-family housing, where year-to-date awards declined by $1.9 billion and $970 million, respectively. Non-building and manufacturing awards also eased, down $858 million and $796 million, following a standout ’25 fueled by major public infrastructure investment and large manufacturing announcements tied to advanced manufacturing. The adjustment has been more limited in multifamily housing, down $355 million, while commercial projects have remained largely steady, slipping just $38 million.

Prepared by Greater Houston Partnership Research Division.

Colin Baker
Manager of Economic Research
Greater Houston Partnership
[email protected]

Clara Richardson
Research Analyst
Greater Houston Partnership
[email protected]