14 January 2026

Construction industry trends and commodities outlook for 2026 - Americas

Our latest Construction Market Insights report for the Americas provides a clear view of the economic conditions, industry performance, cost trends, and supply chain dynamics influencing project delivery across the region into 2026.

Key Contact

Patrick Ryan
Executive Vice President – Americas
Americas
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Expert contributors

Linesight’s latest Construction Market Insights report for the Americas provides an in-depth assessment of the construction market across the United States and Canada, with insight into the conditions shaping delivery into 2026.

The report brings together macroeconomic analysis, construction output trends, construction inflation, commodity movements, and supply chain conditions, helping clients understand where resilience is holding, where pressure remains, and how delivery strategies must adapt in a complex and evolving market.  

What this report explores

Despite ongoing trade, cost, and labour pressures, North America’s construction market continues to demonstrate resilience. Infrastructure, data centres, and advanced manufacturing are supporting long-term opportunities, even as tariffs, labour availability, and procurement risk challenge near-term delivery.

This report examines:

  • The macroeconomic outlook shaping construction demand across the US and Canada into 2026
  • Where construction activity has slowed, stabilised, or rebounded across key markets
  • Construction inflation trends, labour shortages, and tender pricing risk
  • Commodity price movements influenced by tariffs, supply conditions, and demand
  • Supply chain performance, lead times, and procurement strategies in a volatile environment

Click the button below to access the full report. 

Core market indicators

Key indicators providing context on the economic conditions, market activity, and cost dynamics influencing construction delivery across the Americas.

Macroeconomic overview

Macroeconomic conditions across North America reflect a mixed outlook. The US continues to benefit from AI-led productivity gains and fiscal stimulus, while Canada’s growth remains more constrained by trade tensions and weaker exports. Inflation trends diverge slightly, with US inflation remaining above target, while Canada is closer to policy objectives.

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Construction industry overview

The US construction market experienced a contraction in 2025 following strong growth in 2024, as tariffs, rising costs, and skilled labour shortages weighed on delivery. Looking ahead, infrastructure, data centres, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing are expected to drive recovery into 2026 and beyond. In Canada, construction activity rebounded in 2025, supported by infrastructure, renewables, and industrial investment, although labour availability and procurement risk remain key challenges.

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Commodities

Commodity markets across North America remain volatile. Copper and aluminium prices continue to trend upward, cement remains elevated due to infrastructure demand, and lumber costs reflect ongoing supply disruptions. Tariffs continue to influence pricing dynamics, particularly for metals, with cost pressures expected to persist into 2026.

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Supply chain outlook

Supply chain conditions improved through 2025, supported by increased localisation of equipment manufacturing and earlier front-loading of demand. However, volatility persists due to tariffs, customs delays, global shipping disruption, and strong demand from mission-critical sectors. Early supplier engagement, accurate forecasting, and diversified sourcing strategies remain essential to maintaining delivery certainty.

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“Despite near-term pressures from tariffs, labour shortages, and cost escalation, North America’s construction market continues to demonstrate resilience, with infrastructure, data centres, and advanced manufacturing shaping long-term opportunity.”
Patrick Ryan
Executive Vice President, Americas
Linesight’s Construction Market Insights reports provide a forward-looking view of the global construction market, covering macroeconomic conditions, industry trends, market forecasts, and the commodities and cost environment. The reports analyse key regional markets across Europe, the Americas, APAC, and the GCC, highlighting risks, opportunities, and the implications for clients planning and delivering construction projects.
Data for the CMI reports comes from a range of both primary and secondary sources. In addition to primary research conducted with stakeholders in the value chain, sources include GlobalData’s Construction Intelligence Center (CIC), the World Bank, IMF and OECD, as well as country-specific national statistics offices, such as the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and also industry-specific associations and publications. More information on our methodology is available at the back of the report.
CMI refers to Linesight's Construction Market Insights reports, which provide in-depth analysis of the global construction industry, focusing on specific trends, sectors and regions.
These reports cover Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Americas.
Linesight's CMI reports help clients and industry professionals to understand the challenges and opportunities within the construction industry, enabling them to make informed strategic decisions.
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