As Donald Trump is set to being his second term as President of the United States in 2025, many are wondering how his administration's policies will impact various sectors of the economy, including the construction industry.
During his first term, Trump enacted policies that significantly affected construction, from tariffs on building materials to sweeping tax reforms. As he embarks on another four years, construction company owners and accountants are closely watching to see what the Trump presidency will mean for their businesses and the industry as a whole.
This article examines how Trump's second term is likely to shape the construction sector in 2025 and beyond.
Increased Infrastructure Spending Likely to Boost Construction
President Trump has reiterated his commitment to rebuilding America's infrastructure. His 2024 campaign centered on a pledge to invest heavily in public works, including highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, and hospitals. This mirrors his 2016 promises, but the scale and urgency have increased.
Keeping this promise, on January 7th, 2025, Trump announced a $20 billion investment by Damac Properties, led by Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, to build data centers across the United States, with the first phase targeting Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana.
Impact on Construction
If Trump continues to follow through on these promises, it could mean a significant boost in construction activity, especially in heavy civil projects involving transportation, utilities, and public infrastructure.
For construction firms, this translates to increased opportunities for contracts and revenue. However, it also brings challenges. Skilled labor shortages may worsen, and material costs could continue rising, driven by increased resource demand.
While infrastructure spending creates opportunities, labor shortages and rising material costs make cash flow management critical. Companies must ensure their bids are accurate and account for potential overruns." – RedHammer
While streamlined permitting processes and reduced regulatory barriers may speed up projects, firms must be prepared for potential delays due to funding questions, especially with rising budget deficits. Public-private partnerships will likely play a crucial role in financing these projects, offering opportunities for companies that can navigate this funding structure effectively.
Tax Cuts 2.0 May Provide Continued Fiscal Stimulus
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was a cornerstone of Trump's first term. Key provisions for construction included the 20% pass-through deduction (Section 199A), immediate expensing of capital investments, and the option to use the cash method of accounting for businesses with up to $25 million in gross receipts.
Trump's 2024 campaign emphasized extending these provisions beyond their scheduled expiration in 2025, calling this effort "Tax Cuts 2.0."
Impact on Construction
If Tax Cuts 2.0 succeeds, it could sustain the fiscal stimulus effects of the original TCJA (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act), benefiting construction firms. Lower tax rates and the continuation of immediate expensing would support profitability and encourage reinvestment in equipment and technology.
The cash method of accounting allows for tax deferral, improving cash flow for businesses. However, construction companies must work with their accountants to stay on top of evolving tax rules and deadlines to optimize their firms' tax strategies, considering how these policies might affect decisions around entity structure, capital investment, and project bidding strategies.
Trade Policies and Their Impact on Construction
During Trump's first term, his "America First" trade policies introduced tariffs on key construction materials like steel, aluminum, and goods imported from China. These tariffs significantly increased material costs for construction projects and caused supply chain disruptions, leaving firms struggling to manage rising expenses.
Although some trade deals were negotiated, such as the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), Trump's 2024 campaign emphasized maintaining a hardline stance on trade, suggesting the possibility of new tariffs and stricter trade agreements with other nations.
Impact on Construction
Elevated material costs are expected to persist under continued trade restrictions, with new tariffs potentially adding unpredictability to the availability and pricing of key materials. Construction companies must carefully account for cost fluctuations when preparing project bids to mitigate these risks to avoid financial losses.
Exploring alternative sourcing strategies, such as procuring materials domestically or using substitutes, can help reduce dependency on imported goods. Strengthened supply chain management will also be critical to navigating disruptions caused by shifting trade policies.
Construction firms should ensure their contracts include escalation clauses to protect against unexpected increases in material costs. These clauses allow for pricing adjustments when material expenses rise beyond agreed thresholds, helping safeguard profitability.
Immigration Policies and Their Impact on Labor
Immigration policy has been a cornerstone of Trump's platform, emphasizing stricter border control and limiting both legal and illegal immigration. During his first term, tightened visa requirements and enhanced enforcement of programs like E-Verify created hurdles for industries reliant on immigrant labor.
While some states do not require citizenship verification for employment, a federal push for stricter compliance could override state policies, impacting the availability of workers for construction firms.
These measures could dramatically impact an already tight labor market, where skilled and general labor shortages are prevalent.
Impact on Construction
The construction industry heavily depends on immigrant labor is already grappling with significant workforce shortages. Stricter federal employment verification and reduced work visas could exacerbate this issue, particularly in states like California and New York, where less stringent policies have helped sustain labor pools. Increased labor scarcity would likely drive up wages and inflate project costs, making it even harder for firms to remain competitive.
To adapt, construction companies must prioritize building a more resilient workforce by recruiting domestic labor, expanding training programs, and partnering with vocational schools to develop a pipeline of skilled workers.
Monitoring state and federal policy changes is essential to ensure compliance and avoid disruptions. Additionally, firms should consider adopting labor-saving technologies like automation and robotics to reduce dependency on manual labor, though these solutions require upfront investment.
Infrastructure Permitting and Regulatory Reform on the Agenda
Trump's administration has pledged to simplify permitting processes and reduce regulatory burdens on construction projects. This includes streamlining environmental reviews and cutting red tape to accelerate infrastructure projects.
Trump has also emphasized rolling back environmental and labor regulations introduced by previous administrations. These changes are particularly relevant in light of the recent devastating fires in California, which have underscored the urgent need for improved infrastructure and more efficient rebuilding efforts.
The fires highlighted significant delays in permitting processes, especially in high-risk areas where environmental reviews often stall critical projects.
Impact on Construction
Streamlined permitting and reduced regulations could significantly lower costs and shorten project timelines, enabling construction companies to respond more rapidly to rebuilding needs in disaster-stricken areas like California.
The expedited process would allow firms to address critical infrastructure gaps, such as fire-resistant housing, improved utility systems, and resilient public works. However, the push for deregulation may face legal challenges from environmental groups, particularly in states with stricter environmental policies. These disputes could delay projects and introduce additional compliance complexities.
Construction firms need to stay informed about state and federal regulatory changes, which is vital to navigating these challenges. Companies must be prepared to adapt their processes to meet both expedited federal requirements and stringent state-level policies.
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Its Potential Impact on Construction
Announced in late 2024, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was created to streamline federal operations and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. Its primary mission is to expedite permitting and approval processes, cutting costs across government programs while enabling faster project execution.
The initiative is led by key collaborators Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who are contributing their expertise to address inefficiencies in federal systems. Musk’s focus includes modernizing processes that delay infrastructure, renewable energy, and technology projects, while Ramaswamy advocates for reducing regulatory barriers to foster innovation in sectors like energy and healthcare.
Impact on Construction
DOGE’s creation could bring significant benefits to the construction industry by reducing permitting delays and simplifying compliance requirements. Faster approvals would lower holding costs for construction firms and enable projects to begin more quickly, improving overall efficiency.
The department’s emphasis on public-private partnerships presents new opportunities for collaboration on infrastructure and large-scale public works, aligning government processes with private-sector needs.
By addressing systemic inefficiencies, DOGE has the potential to drive transformative projects, from modernizing transportation systems to advancing resilient infrastructure, benefiting both the industry and the economy.
Final Thoughts
The construction industry is at a pivotal moment as Donald Trump begins his second term. Policies such as increased infrastructure spending, tax reforms, and streamlined permitting offer significant opportunities to boost activity, profitability, and efficiency. Initiatives like the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) highlight a focus on cutting bureaucracy and aligning public and private efforts to drive transformative projects.
However, challenges such as rising material costs, labor shortages, and regulatory complexities remain. Construction firms must stay proactive by adopting innovative strategies, fostering workforce development, and ensuring financial adaptability.
By balancing these opportunities and challenges, companies can position themselves for success in 2025 and beyond, leveraging Trump-era policies to navigate a dynamic and evolving landscape.
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