2022 Edition

sector 23

Construction

Overview

The Construction sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in the construction of buildings or engineering projects (e.g., highways and utility systems). Establishments primarily engaged in the preparation of sites for new construction and establishments primarily engaged in subdividing land for sale as building sites also are included in this sector.

Construction work done may include new work, additions, alterations, or maintenance and repairs. Activities of these establishments generally are managed at a fixed place of business, but they usually perform construction activities at multiple project sites. Production responsibilities for establishments in this sector are usually specified in (1) contracts with the owners of construction projects (prime contracts) or (2) contracts with other construction establishments (subcontracts).

Establishments primarily engaged in contracts that include responsibility for all aspects of individual construction projects are commonly known as general contractors, but also may be known as design-builders, construction managers, turnkey contractors, or (in cases where two or more establishments jointly secure a general contract) joint-venture contractors. Construction managers that provide oversight and scheduling only (i.e., agency) as well as construction managers that are responsible for the entire project (i.e., at risk) are included as general contractor type establishments. Establishments of the "general contractor type" frequently arrange construction of separate parts of their projects through subcontracts with other construction establishments.

Establishments primarily engaged in activities to produce a specific component (e.g., masonry, painting, and electrical work) of a construction project are commonly known as specialty trade contractors. Activities of specialty trade contractors are usually subcontracted from other construction establishments, but especially in remodeling and repair construction, the work may be done directly for the owner of the property.

Establishments primarily engaged in activities to construct buildings to be sold on sites that they own are known as for-sale builders, but also may be known as speculative builders or merchant builders. For-sale builders produce buildings in a manner similar to general contractors, but their production processes also include site acquisition and securing of financial backing. For-sale builders are most often associated with the construction of residential buildings. Like general contractors, they may subcontract all or part of the actual construction work on their buildings.

There are substantial differences in the types of equipment, work force skills, and other inputs required by establishments in this sector. To highlight these differences and variations in the underlying production functions, this sector is divided into three subsectors.

Subsector 236, Construction of Buildings, comprises establishments of the general contractor type and for-sale builders involved in the construction of buildings. Subsector 237, Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction, comprises establishments involved in the construction of engineering projects. Subsector 238, Specialty Trade Contractors, comprises establishments engaged in specialty trade activities generally needed in the construction of all types of buildings.

Force account construction is construction work performed by an enterprise primarily engaged in some business other than construction for its own account, using employees of the enterprise. This activity is not included in the construction sector unless the construction work performed is the primary activity of a separate establishment of the enterprise. The installation and the ongoing repair and maintenance of telecommunications and utility networks is excluded from construction when the establishments performing the work are not independent contractors. Although a growing proportion of this work is subcontracted to independent contractors in the Construction sector, the operating units of telecommunications and utility companies performing this work are included with the telecommunications or utility activities.

Descendants

  1. 236 - Construction of Buildings
    1. 2361 - Residential Building Construction
      1. 23611 - Residential Building Construction
        1. 236115 - New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)
        2. 236116 - New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)
        3. 236117 - New Housing For-Sale Builders
        4. 236118 - Residential Remodelers
    2. 2362 - Nonresidential Building Construction
      1. 23621 - Industrial Building Construction
        1. 236210 - Industrial Building Construction
      2. 23622 - Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
        1. 236220 - Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
  2. 237 - Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
    1. 2371 - Utility System Construction
      1. 23711 - Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
        1. 237110 - Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
      2. 23712 - Oil and Gas Pipeline and Related Structures Construction
        1. 237120 - Oil and Gas Pipeline and Related Structures Construction
      3. 23713 - Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction
        1. 237130 - Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction
    2. 2372 - Land Subdivision
      1. 23721 - Land Subdivision
        1. 237210 - Land Subdivision
    3. 2373 - Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
      1. 23731 - Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
        1. 237310 - Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
    4. 2379 - Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
      1. 23799 - Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
        1. 237990 - Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
  3. 238 - Specialty Trade Contractors
    1. 2381 - Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors
      1. 23811 - Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors
        1. 238110 - Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors
      2. 23812 - Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors
        1. 238120 - Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors
      3. 23813 - Framing Contractors
        1. 238130 - Framing Contractors
      4. 23814 - Masonry Contractors
        1. 238140 - Masonry Contractors
      5. 23815 - Glass and Glazing Contractors
        1. 238150 - Glass and Glazing Contractors
      6. 23816 - Roofing Contractors
        1. 238160 - Roofing Contractors
      7. 23817 - Siding Contractors
        1. 238170 - Siding Contractors
      8. 23819 - Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors
        1. 238190 - Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors
    2. 2382 - Building Equipment Contractors
      1. 23821 - Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors
        1. 238210 - Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors
      2. 23822 - Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors
        1. 238220 - Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors
      3. 23829 - Other Building Equipment Contractors
        1. 238290 - Other Building Equipment Contractors
    3. 2383 - Building Finishing Contractors
      1. 23831 - Drywall and Insulation Contractors
        1. 238310 - Drywall and Insulation Contractors
      2. 23832 - Painting and Wall Covering Contractors
        1. 238320 - Painting and Wall Covering Contractors
      3. 23833 - Flooring Contractors
        1. 238330 - Flooring Contractors
      4. 23834 - Tile and Terrazzo Contractors
        1. 238340 - Tile and Terrazzo Contractors
      5. 23835 - Finish Carpentry Contractors
        1. 238350 - Finish Carpentry Contractors
      6. 23839 - Other Building Finishing Contractors
        1. 238390 - Other Building Finishing Contractors
    4. 2389 - Other Specialty Trade Contractors
      1. 23891 - Site Preparation Contractors
        1. 238910 - Site Preparation Contractors
      2. 23899 - All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
        1. 238990 - All Other Specialty Trade Contractors

History

The NAICS editions in which this code was present are indicated below. In the event that a code was changed from the prior edition the equivalent value in that edition is provided for reference.

Edition Existed Equivalent Value
2002 23
2007 23
2012 23
2017 23
2022 23

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Mappings

SIC Mappings are not available at the sector level, a more specific code is required.

SIC mappings are available for 6 digit national industry codes and their sub-descriptions only. For detailed mappings choose the most appropriate six-digit code from the list of descendants.

Insurance Industry Mappings

Mappings are not available at the sector level, a more specific code is required.

Insurance industry mappings are available for 6 digit national industry codes and their sub-descriptions only. For detailed mappings choose the most appropriate six-digit code from the list of descendants.

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