2026 AEC Outlook Survey

Question Title

* 1. Critical Issues Facing Your Firm Today

Please review the categories below and rate how concerned you are with the identified issues on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 signifying “not concerned,” 3 signifying “neutral,” and 5 signifying “extremely concerned.”

Staffing Issues

	1 Not Concerned	2	3 Neutral	4	5 Extremely Concerned
Recruitment of New Staff	Recruitment of New Staff 1 Not Concerned	Recruitment of New Staff 2	Recruitment of New Staff 3 Neutral	Recruitment of New Staff 4	Recruitment of New Staff 5 Extremely Concerned
Retention of Existing Staff	Retention of Existing Staff 1 Not Concerned	Retention of Existing Staff 2	Retention of Existing Staff 3 Neutral	Retention of Existing Staff 4	Retention of Existing Staff 5 Extremely Concerned
Wage Growth	Wage Growth 1 Not Concerned	Wage Growth 2	Wage Growth 3 Neutral	Wage Growth 4	Wage Growth 5 Extremely Concerned
Cost of Benefits	Cost of Benefits 1 Not Concerned	Cost of Benefits 2	Cost of Benefits 3 Neutral	Cost of Benefits 4	Cost of Benefits 5 Extremely Concerned
Retirement of Key Staff	Retirement of Key Staff 1 Not Concerned	Retirement of Key Staff 2	Retirement of Key Staff 3 Neutral	Retirement of Key Staff 4	Retirement of Key Staff 5 Extremely Concerned

Question Title

* 2. Economic Issues

	1 Not Concerned	2	3 Neutral	4	5 Extremely Concerned
Impact of Tariffs	Impact of Tariffs 1 Not Concerned	Impact of Tariffs 2	Impact of Tariffs 3 Neutral	Impact of Tariffs 4	Impact of Tariffs 5 Extremely Concerned
Political Uncertainty	Political Uncertainty 1 Not Concerned	Political Uncertainty 2	Political Uncertainty 3 Neutral	Political Uncertainty 4	Political Uncertainty 5 Extremely Concerned
Ability to Obtain New Projects	Ability to Obtain New Projects 1 Not Concerned	Ability to Obtain New Projects 2	Ability to Obtain New Projects 3 Neutral	Ability to Obtain New Projects 4	Ability to Obtain New Projects 5 Extremely Concerned
Inflationary Pressures	Inflationary Pressures 1 Not Concerned	Inflationary Pressures 2	Inflationary Pressures 3 Neutral	Inflationary Pressures 4	Inflationary Pressures 5 Extremely Concerned
Continued High Interest Rates	Continued High Interest Rates 1 Not Concerned	Continued High Interest Rates 2	Continued High Interest Rates 3 Neutral	Continued High Interest Rates 4	Continued High Interest Rates 5 Extremely Concerned
Recent changes to the DBE certification program	Recent changes to the DBE certification program 1 Not Concerned	Recent changes to the DBE certification program 2	Recent changes to the DBE certification program 3 Neutral	Recent changes to the DBE certification program 4	Recent changes to the DBE certification program 5 Extremely Concerned

Question Title

* 3. Project Delivery Issues

	1 Not Concerned	2	3 Neutral	4	5 Extremely Concerned
Delivering Projects Already Under Contract	Delivering Projects Already Under Contract 1 Not Concerned	Delivering Projects Already Under Contract 2	Delivering Projects Already Under Contract 3 Neutral	Delivering Projects Already Under Contract 4	Delivering Projects Already Under Contract 5 Extremely Concerned
Lack of Material Availability	Lack of Material Availability 1 Not Concerned	Lack of Material Availability 2	Lack of Material Availability 3 Neutral	Lack of Material Availability 4	Lack of Material Availability 5 Extremely Concerned
Competitive Pressures – Reduced Profitability	Competitive Pressures – Reduced Profitability 1 Not Concerned	Competitive Pressures – Reduced Profitability 2	Competitive Pressures – Reduced Profitability 3 Neutral	Competitive Pressures – Reduced Profitability 4	Competitive Pressures – Reduced Profitability 5 Extremely Concerned
Changing Delivery Models	Changing Delivery Models 1 Not Concerned	Changing Delivery Models 2	Changing Delivery Models 3 Neutral	Changing Delivery Models 4	Changing Delivery Models 5 Extremely Concerned
Need to Improve Operational Efficiencies	Need to Improve Operational Efficiencies 1 Not Concerned	Need to Improve Operational Efficiencies 2	Need to Improve Operational Efficiencies 3 Neutral	Need to Improve Operational Efficiencies 4	Need to Improve Operational Efficiencies 5 Extremely Concerned

Question Title

* 4. Ownership/Leadership Issues

	1 Not Concerned	2	3 Neutral	4	5 Extremely Concerned
The Missing Middle – Lack of Mid-Career Professionals	The Missing Middle – Lack of Mid-Career Professionals 1 Not Concerned	The Missing Middle – Lack of Mid-Career Professionals 2	The Missing Middle – Lack of Mid-Career Professionals 3 Neutral	The Missing Middle – Lack of Mid-Career Professionals 4	The Missing Middle – Lack of Mid-Career Professionals 5 Extremely Concerned
The Missing Top – Lack of Senior-Level Staff	The Missing Top – Lack of Senior-Level Staff 1 Not Concerned	The Missing Top – Lack of Senior-Level Staff 2	The Missing Top – Lack of Senior-Level Staff 3 Neutral	The Missing Top – Lack of Senior-Level Staff 4	The Missing Top – Lack of Senior-Level Staff 5 Extremely Concerned
Lack of Leadership Candidates	Lack of Leadership Candidates 1 Not Concerned	Lack of Leadership Candidates 2	Lack of Leadership Candidates 3 Neutral	Lack of Leadership Candidates 4	Lack of Leadership Candidates 5 Extremely Concerned
Lack of Ownership Candidates	Lack of Ownership Candidates 1 Not Concerned	Lack of Ownership Candidates 2	Lack of Ownership Candidates 3 Neutral	Lack of Ownership Candidates 4	Lack of Ownership Candidates 5 Extremely Concerned

Question Title

* 5. Professional Development Issues

	1 Not Concerned	2	3 Neutral	4	5 Extremely Concerned
Need to Better Train Staff	Need to Better Train Staff 1 Not Concerned	Need to Better Train Staff 2	Need to Better Train Staff 3 Neutral	Need to Better Train Staff 4	Need to Better Train Staff 5 Extremely Concerned
Lack of Internal Knowledge Causing Quality Issues	Lack of Internal Knowledge Causing Quality Issues 1 Not Concerned	Lack of Internal Knowledge Causing Quality Issues 2	Lack of Internal Knowledge Causing Quality Issues 3 Neutral	Lack of Internal Knowledge Causing Quality Issues 4	Lack of Internal Knowledge Causing Quality Issues 5 Extremely Concerned
Multi-Generational Workforce Issues / Changing Demographics	Multi-Generational Workforce Issues / Changing Demographics 1 Not Concerned	Multi-Generational Workforce Issues / Changing Demographics 2	Multi-Generational Workforce Issues / Changing Demographics 3 Neutral	Multi-Generational Workforce Issues / Changing Demographics 4	Multi-Generational Workforce Issues / Changing Demographics 5 Extremely Concerned
Staff Resistance to Working Overtime	Staff Resistance to Working Overtime 1 Not Concerned	Staff Resistance to Working Overtime 2	Staff Resistance to Working Overtime 3 Neutral	Staff Resistance to Working Overtime 4	Staff Resistance to Working Overtime 5 Extremely Concerned
“Quiet Quitting” – Feeling that You’re Not Getting 100% from Some Staff	“Quiet Quitting” – Feeling that You’re Not Getting 100% from Some Staff 1 Not Concerned	“Quiet Quitting” – Feeling that You’re Not Getting 100% from Some Staff 2	“Quiet Quitting” – Feeling that You’re Not Getting 100% from Some Staff 3 Neutral	“Quiet Quitting” – Feeling that You’re Not Getting 100% from Some Staff 4	“Quiet Quitting” – Feeling that You’re Not Getting 100% from Some Staff 5 Extremely Concerned

Question Title

* 6. Technology Issues

	1 Not Concerned	2	3 Neutral	4	5 Extremely Concerned
Ability of Firm/Staff to Keep Up with Technological Changes	Ability of Firm/Staff to Keep Up with Technological Changes 1 Not Concerned	Ability of Firm/Staff to Keep Up with Technological Changes 2	Ability of Firm/Staff to Keep Up with Technological Changes 3 Neutral	Ability of Firm/Staff to Keep Up with Technological Changes 4	Ability of Firm/Staff to Keep Up with Technological Changes 5 Extremely Concerned
Integrating Automation & Artificial Intelligence	Integrating Automation & Artificial Intelligence 1 Not Concerned	Integrating Automation & Artificial Intelligence 2	Integrating Automation & Artificial Intelligence 3 Neutral	Integrating Automation & Artificial Intelligence 4	Integrating Automation & Artificial Intelligence 5 Extremely Concerned
Cybersecurity Concerns – Potential Disruptions to Firm	Cybersecurity Concerns – Potential Disruptions to Firm 1 Not Concerned	Cybersecurity Concerns – Potential Disruptions to Firm 2	Cybersecurity Concerns – Potential Disruptions to Firm 3 Neutral	Cybersecurity Concerns – Potential Disruptions to Firm 4	Cybersecurity Concerns – Potential Disruptions to Firm 5 Extremely Concerned
Cost of Technology	Cost of Technology 1 Not Concerned	Cost of Technology 2	Cost of Technology 3 Neutral	Cost of Technology 4	Cost of Technology 5 Extremely Concerned

Question Title

* 7. Additional Issues

	1 Not Concerned	2	3 Neutral	4	5 Extremely Concerned
Differentiating from the Competition	Differentiating from the Competition 1 Not Concerned	Differentiating from the Competition 2	Differentiating from the Competition 3 Neutral	Differentiating from the Competition 4	Differentiating from the Competition 5 Extremely Concerned
Increased Rate of Regulatory Changes	Increased Rate of Regulatory Changes 1 Not Concerned	Increased Rate of Regulatory Changes 2	Increased Rate of Regulatory Changes 3 Neutral	Increased Rate of Regulatory Changes 4	Increased Rate of Regulatory Changes 5 Extremely Concerned
State of R&D Tax Credits	State of R&D Tax Credits 1 Not Concerned	State of R&D Tax Credits 2	State of R&D Tax Credits 3 Neutral	State of R&D Tax Credits 4	State of R&D Tax Credits 5 Extremely Concerned
Evolving Impact of Private Equity in AEC Market Space	Evolving Impact of Private Equity in AEC Market Space 1 Not Concerned	Evolving Impact of Private Equity in AEC Market Space 2	Evolving Impact of Private Equity in AEC Market Space 3 Neutral	Evolving Impact of Private Equity in AEC Market Space 4	Evolving Impact of Private Equity in AEC Market Space 5 Extremely Concerned
Managing Company Growth	Managing Company Growth 1 Not Concerned	Managing Company Growth 2	Managing Company Growth 3 Neutral	Managing Company Growth 4	Managing Company Growth 5 Extremely Concerned
Effect of Work from Home vs. In-Office vs. Hybrid	Effect of Work from Home vs. In-Office vs. Hybrid 1 Not Concerned	Effect of Work from Home vs. In-Office vs. Hybrid 2	Effect of Work from Home vs. In-Office vs. Hybrid 3 Neutral	Effect of Work from Home vs. In-Office vs. Hybrid 4	Effect of Work from Home vs. In-Office vs. Hybrid 5 Extremely Concerned

Question Title

* 8. Compared with 2024, how do you anticipate your 2025 revenues will finish the year?

Up more than 20%

Up 10-19%

Up 1-9%

No Change

Down 1-9%

Down 10-19%

Down more than 20%

Question Title

* 9. Compared with your backlog at the beginning of 2025, how is your current backlog as we approach the end of the year?

Up more than 20%

Up 10-19%

Up 1-9%

No change

Down 1-9%

Down 10-19%

Down more than 20%

Question Title

* 10. Do you expect an economic recession within the next year?

Yes

Not Sure

Question Title

* 11. Do you anticipate a downturn in firm revenues over the next year?

Yes

Not Sure

Question Title

* 12. If you answered “yes” to either of the previous two questions, what steps are you taking to position your company for a downturn? (check all that apply).

Reducing staff

Reducing salaries

Eliminating bonuses

Decreasing or eliminating raises

Cutting non-staff expenses (rent, technology, marketing, etc.)

Hiring freeze

Cancelling or postponing major investments

Cross-training staff in other areas

Improving project financial performance

Expanding the seller-doer (doer-seller) approach to business development to get more people involved

Expanding marketing efforts

Pursuing more project opportunities in existing market sectors

Pursuing project opportunities in new market sectors

Considering acquisitions to move into new markets

Strategically hiring staff to drive more opportunities / growth

Raising fees

Reducing fees

Exploring revenue generation alternatives

Pursuing tax credits

Selling the firm externally

Other

Question Title

* 13. Are you currently considering acquiring another firm?

Yes – within next six months

Yes – within next year

Yes – within next two years

I don't know

Question Title

* 14. Do you anticipate that your firm will be acquired by another company?

Yes – within next six months

Yes – within next year

Yes – within next two years

Yes – in the next two to five years

I don't know

Question Title

* 15. How would you describe the current value of your firm in comparison to last year?

Up more than 20%

Up 10-19%

Up 1-9%

No change

Down 1-9%

Down 10-19%

Down more than 20%

We don’t track the value of the firm annually

Question Title

* 16. How do you anticipate the following market sectors will perform in 2026 (Answer all that apply; based upon US Census Bureau market definitions)?

	1 Significant Decline	2 Moderate Decline	3 No Change	4 Moderate Growth	5 Significant Growth
Transportation (Facilities)	Transportation (Facilities) 1 Significant Decline	Transportation (Facilities) 2 Moderate Decline	Transportation (Facilities) 3 No Change	Transportation (Facilities) 4 Moderate Growth	Transportation (Facilities) 5 Significant Growth
Public Safety/Correctional	Public Safety/Correctional 1 Significant Decline	Public Safety/Correctional 2 Moderate Decline	Public Safety/Correctional 3 No Change	Public Safety/Correctional 4 Moderate Growth	Public Safety/Correctional 5 Significant Growth
Lodging	Lodging 1 Significant Decline	Lodging 2 Moderate Decline	Lodging 3 No Change	Lodging 4 Moderate Growth	Lodging 5 Significant Growth
Educational (K-12, Higher Ed)	Educational (K-12, Higher Ed) 1 Significant Decline	Educational (K-12, Higher Ed) 2 Moderate Decline	Educational (K-12, Higher Ed) 3 No Change	Educational (K-12, Higher Ed) 4 Moderate Growth	Educational (K-12, Higher Ed) 5 Significant Growth
Office (incl. Data Centers)	Office (incl. Data Centers) 1 Significant Decline	Office (incl. Data Centers) 2 Moderate Decline	Office (incl. Data Centers) 3 No Change	Office (incl. Data Centers) 4 Moderate Growth	Office (incl. Data Centers) 5 Significant Growth
Water Supply	Water Supply 1 Significant Decline	Water Supply 2 Moderate Decline	Water Supply 3 No Change	Water Supply 4 Moderate Growth	Water Supply 5 Significant Growth
Highway & Street	Highway & Street 1 Significant Decline	Highway & Street 2 Moderate Decline	Highway & Street 3 No Change	Highway & Street 4 Moderate Growth	Highway & Street 5 Significant Growth
Religious	Religious 1 Significant Decline	Religious 2 Moderate Decline	Religious 3 No Change	Religious 4 Moderate Growth	Religious 5 Significant Growth
Conservation/Development/Dam	Conservation/Development/Dam 1 Significant Decline	Conservation/Development/Dam 2 Moderate Decline	Conservation/Development/Dam 3 No Change	Conservation/Development/Dam 4 Moderate Growth	Conservation/Development/Dam 5 Significant Growth
Power/Energy	Power/Energy 1 Significant Decline	Power/Energy 2 Moderate Decline	Power/Energy 3 No Change	Power/Energy 4 Moderate Growth	Power/Energy 5 Significant Growth
Commercial/Retail/Warehouse)	Commercial/Retail/Warehouse) 1 Significant Decline	Commercial/Retail/Warehouse) 2 Moderate Decline	Commercial/Retail/Warehouse) 3 No Change	Commercial/Retail/Warehouse) 4 Moderate Growth	Commercial/Retail/Warehouse) 5 Significant Growth
Manufacturing	Manufacturing 1 Significant Decline	Manufacturing 2 Moderate Decline	Manufacturing 3 No Change	Manufacturing 4 Moderate Growth	Manufacturing 5 Significant Growth
Sewage/Waste Disposal	Sewage/Waste Disposal 1 Significant Decline	Sewage/Waste Disposal 2 Moderate Decline	Sewage/Waste Disposal 3 No Change	Sewage/Waste Disposal 4 Moderate Growth	Sewage/Waste Disposal 5 Significant Growth
Amusement/Recreation	Amusement/Recreation 1 Significant Decline	Amusement/Recreation 2 Moderate Decline	Amusement/Recreation 3 No Change	Amusement/Recreation 4 Moderate Growth	Amusement/Recreation 5 Significant Growth
Single Family Residential	Single Family Residential 1 Significant Decline	Single Family Residential 2 Moderate Decline	Single Family Residential 3 No Change	Single Family Residential 4 Moderate Growth	Single Family Residential 5 Significant Growth
Communication	Communication 1 Significant Decline	Communication 2 Moderate Decline	Communication 3 No Change	Communication 4 Moderate Growth	Communication 5 Significant Growth
Multi-Family Residential	Multi-Family Residential 1 Significant Decline	Multi-Family Residential 2 Moderate Decline	Multi-Family Residential 3 No Change	Multi-Family Residential 4 Moderate Growth	Multi-Family Residential 5 Significant Growth
Health Care	Health Care 1 Significant Decline	Health Care 2 Moderate Decline	Health Care 3 No Change	Health Care 4 Moderate Growth	Health Care 5 Significant Growth

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 17. Which category best describes your firm?

Engineering

Architecture

Architecture Engineering

Environmental

General Contractor / Construction Manager

Trade Contractor

Consultant

Other

Question Title

* 18. Which markets does your firm serve (US Census Bureau Categories – select all that apply)

Commercial

Health Care

Educational

Transportation (e.g, airports, rail)

Communication

Manufacturing

Office

Lodging

Religious

Public Safety

Amusement & Recreation

Power

Highway & Street

Sewage & Waste Disposal

Water Supply

Conservation & Development

Question Title

* 19. In which regions do you operate? (select all that apply)

Northeast

South

Midwest

West

International

Question Title

* 20. What is the current size of your firm?

0-9

10-24

25-49

50-99

100-249

250-499

500-999

1000-2499

2500+

Thank you for taking the time to fill out our survey! Make sure you register for our upcoming webinar here where you'll be able to hear the results!

2026 AEC Outlook Survey

Question Title

* 1. Critical Issues Facing Your Firm TodayPlease review the categories below and rate how concerned you are with the identified issues on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 signifying “not concerned,” 3 signifying “neutral,” and 5 signifying “extremely concerned.”Staffing Issues

Question Title

* 2. Economic Issues

Question Title

* 3. Project Delivery Issues

Question Title

* 4. Ownership/Leadership Issues

Question Title

* 5. Professional Development Issues

Question Title

* 6. Technology Issues

Question Title

* 7. Additional Issues

Question Title

* 8. Compared with 2024, how do you anticipate your 2025 revenues will finish the year?

Question Title

* 9. Compared with your backlog at the beginning of 2025, how is your current backlog as we approach the end of the year?

Question Title

* 10. Do you expect an economic recession within the next year?

Question Title

* 11. Do you anticipate a downturn in firm revenues over the next year?

Question Title

* 12. If you answered “yes” to either of the previous two questions, what steps are you taking to position your company for a downturn? (check all that apply).

Question Title

* 13. Are you currently considering acquiring another firm?

Question Title

* 14. Do you anticipate that your firm will be acquired by another company?

Question Title

* 15. How would you describe the current value of your firm in comparison to last year?

Question Title

* 16. How do you anticipate the following market sectors will perform in 2026 (Answer all that apply; based upon US Census Bureau market definitions)?

Question Title

* 17. Which category best describes your firm?

Question Title

* 18. Which markets does your firm serve (US Census Bureau Categories – select all that apply)

Question Title

* 19. In which regions do you operate? (select all that apply)

Question Title

* 20. What is the current size of your firm?

* 1. Critical Issues Facing Your Firm Today

Please review the categories below and rate how concerned you are with the identified issues on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 signifying “not concerned,” 3 signifying “neutral,” and 5 signifying “extremely concerned.”

Staffing Issues