Some 90 percent of the nation's contractors expect no recovery in 2010, according to a construction hiring and business outlook forecast released by the Associated General Contractors of America.
The report also said fewer contractors plan to buy construction equipment and after a year of near-record industry layoffs, many doubt they'll hire new staff this year.
The outlook, which is based in part on survey responses from nearly 700 construction firms submitted in December and January, shows privately funded U.S. construction activity is likely to decline even further this year. About 64 percent expect demand for new manufacturing facilities will decline, while 71 percent expect demand for new retail, warehouse and lodging facilities will drop.
In 2009, 73 percent said they laid off employees, averaging 39 layoffs per firm. For 2010, however, 60 percent of firms say they are unsure whether they will be able to add new staff, or be forced to make further cuts.
