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Industry Insights

Construction consulting, by the numbers.

A look at the scale and direction of the construction consulting industry — and answers to the questions we hear most from developers and contractors.

~$12.7T Estimated size of the global construction industry, roughly 13% of world GDP. Source: Gitnux, 2023 data
$1.8T Contribution of the U.S. construction sector to national GDP, about 7.5% of the economy. Source: Gitnux, 2022 data
$466B+ Estimated 2026 value of the U.S. construction consulting market, growing at roughly 7–8% a year. Source: Mordor Intelligence
740K Additional skilled workers the U.S. construction industry is estimated to need each year. Source: Buildertrend, 2026

Frequently asked questions

What does a construction consultant actually do?

A construction consultant advises owners, developers, and contractors on planning, budgeting, scheduling, and risk before and during a build. That typically covers feasibility studies, cost estimating, procurement strategy, contract administration, and quality oversight — the goal being fewer surprises and a project that finishes on spec, on time, and on budget.

Why is the construction consulting industry growing so quickly?

Construction is one of the largest sectors of the global economy, and projects have grown more complex — driven by data-center and infrastructure booms, sustainability requirements, and rising material and labor costs. Owners increasingly bring in outside consultants to manage that complexity rather than absorb the risk internally, which is why the consulting segment is expanding faster than construction spending overall.

What trends are shaping construction consulting in 2026?

Three trends stand out: wider adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital-twin tools for planning and coordination; a persistent skilled-labor shortage that is pushing firms toward better workforce planning; and a surge of data-center, life-science, and infrastructure work that requires consultants fluent in both traditional project management and newer delivery models.

When should a developer or contractor bring in a consulting firm?

The earlier the better. Engaging a consultant during feasibility and pre-construction — rather than after problems surface — gives a project the best shot at accurate budgets, realistic schedules, and a procurement plan that holds up once work is underway.

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