Q2 construction opportunities and obstacles
What lies ahead for construction? For a look at the landscape for Q2 and beyond, we reached out to Kimberly Davids, president and CEO of the Arizona Builders Alliance. The Alliance includes the Grand Canyon State’s AGC and ABC chapters, giving Davids a clear sense of where the opportunities and obstacles are and informing her advice for addressing them.
—Interview by Margot Lester, edited by Bianca Prieto
What’s keeping your members hopeful as we head into Q2?
Infrastructure demand remains robust and the partnerships we're seeing are creating new opportunities. General contractors invite specialty trades into preconstruction planning sessions. Instead of waiting until bid day, electrical and plumbing contractors now develop review plans together and suggest cost-saving alternatives. These early collaborations help identify potential conflicts in things like scheduling and installation, which prevents costly change orders and creates smoother job sites. When trades communicate upfront, everyone wins. This collaboration across Arizona's construction sector gives me real optimism.
Can that kind of collaboration reduce the impact of uncertainty?
When markets shift or policies change, the people who survive are those with strong relationships. My advice is to double down on your network. I tell our members to pick up the phone regularly and check in with their contacts. Share what you're seeing in your market. Ask questions. Construction has always been cyclical, but the companies that weather uncertainty best maintain open communication with peers, suppliers and clients. Your network becomes your early warning system and your safety net.
Your peers see market shifts before you do. A concrete contractor might notice material price increases three weeks ahead of a framing contractor. That early intel helps you adjust bids and protect margins. Peers also share which suppliers deliver on time and which clients pay promptly. This information saves you from costly mistakes. When the 2008 recession hit, contractors with strong networks found work through referrals while isolated companies struggled. Your reputation travels through these relationships, and word-of-mouth still drives most construction business.
What’s one way construction tech has changed the industry?
Many companies have moved from paper plans to digital tablets on job sites. When I started in the industry, we managed rolls of plans that could fill a pickup truck bed. Now, real-time plan changes are uploaded directly to tablets, enabling instant communication between the office and the field. Construction may have been slower to adapt, but successful companies know it eliminates costly delays and reduces errors. The ROI was immediate, and artificial intelligence will only accelerate this digital transformation.
What's the most pressing concern for builders and contractors?
We still need over 350,000 new construction workers nationwide. At the Arizona Builders Alliance, we're tackling this through apprenticeship programs and advocating for market-based immigration reform that aligns visa availability with actual labor demand. The interest is there, but we need more training programs in place to make sure they are set up for success.
We're also working with local CTE schools, such as West-MEC, to help place students with member companies through career fairs and networking. Students need to see real job sites and understand career paths beyond entry-level positions. Contractors who host field trips show students they can become project managers, estimators or business owners. For example, West-MEC students who visit active construction sites are more likely to enter the trades after graduation. These programs also let you evaluate potential hires before they graduate. You can identify students with strong work ethic and offer apprenticeships. The time investment pays off when you hire someone who already understands your company culture and work standards.
What message can contractors share to interest people in the industry?
Construction offers something unique: the satisfaction of creating structures that last for generations. I still drive past a library I helped build early in my career—and seeing it reminds me why this industry matters. We're not just building structures; we're building communities. For anyone considering construction as a career, my advice is simple: say yes to opportunities and advocate for yourself. This industry rewards initiative and the current workforce shortage creates opportunities in both trades and management roles.
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The Level is curated and written by Margot Lester and edited by Bianca Prieto.
