The insufficiently recognized importance of specialty trade contractors in the U.S. construction industry

Specialty trade contractors, a subject often neglected in the construction related literature, play an important role in the U.S. construction industry, particularly in terms of value added and employment. The presented study builds upon census data over a 30-year period (1972-2002). Specialty trade contractors are compared with building and non-building contractors. After addressing the phenomenon of subcontracting, particularly in building construction, the paper outlines the main characteristics of this type of construction firm in terms of its size, average annual value added, employment, assets and sales. Lastly their operating expenses and overhead distribution are analyzed. Specialty trade contractors have a cost structure that make them more vulnerable than other contractors to variations in construction demand and fluctuations of material costs.