In recent weeks, industry experts have noted a new coronavirus-related worry among construction firms: Contractors are increasingly nervous about maintaining and building their backlog of work as jobs in some areas and sectors are put on hold or canceled.

To build their books, firms are bidding on more projects than usual. This is increasing competition, with many contractors vying for the same project.

Associated Builders and Contractors' Chief Economist Anirban Basu said that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, "the average construction firm leader is more concerned about demand for their services than any other consideration, including skilled worker shortages."

This trend is consistent with the results of ABC’s recent Construction Confidence Index, Basu said, which reported that although construction firm executives expect sales to increase over the next six months, they also expect profit margins to be slimmer.  

The pandemic has already caused construction costs to decline slightly for the first time in a decade, which could also lead contractors to feel a pinch in profits, according to Attilio Rivetti, the Turner Construction vice president responsible for compiling the Turner Building Cost Index.

“Trade contractor competition has increased in many areas as they work to secure backlog due to uncertainty they have about future opportunities," he said.

​This highly competitive environment means that contractors have to work harder to acquire new work. Construction Dive wants to know your strategies for winning bids in a pandemic. 

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