Austin AGC Monthly News Update

The Austin AGC offers exclusive benefits to member companies for health insurance, workers comp, and 401k plans! Click on any of the links below for more information on each program.

ADVERTISE YOUR COMPANY HERE! Contact AGC for more details.

Materials Costs Rising at More Than Triple The Rate of Consumer Prices

AGC of America just released a Construction Inflation Report detailing a dramatic increase in construction materials costs since September 2025. After the extreme runup in materials costs that began in 2020, prices for many items leveled off or declined from mid-2022 to late 2024. Prices started increasing again in early 2025 and have accelerated sharply since then.

Two types of events account for most of the runup in input costs: tariffs and the Middle East conflict. The President imposed tariffs of 50% on most imported steel and aluminum in June 2025 and a 50% tariff on the copper content of many products in August of that year. Aside from limited exceptions and minor adjustments, those rates are still in effect.

Attacks by Iran and its proxies and countermeasures by the United States and allies have cut off a huge percentage of global supplies of crude oil and some refined petroleum products. The impact on construction was felt as soon as the conflict began on February 28, 2026 and has continued since then. The PPI for diesel fuel skyrocketed by 43% from February to March 2026. After a brief, partial retreat, the index has continued to climb, rising 115% over 12 months to September 2026.

Supply chain issues and labor shortages are impacting construction costs as well.

Read the Construction Inflation Report here.

BBQ Cook Off Winners

Great networking, beautiful weather and delicious foods at the Austin AGC BBQ Cook Off down in Buda on October 17!

Congratulations to all the winners and competitors!

BRISKET

Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors First Place

JG Security, Inc. Second Place

Lasco Acoustics, Drywall, Plaster & Stone Third Place

RIBS

COE Concepts LLC First Place

VigilanteX Second Place

Texas Cutting & Coring | Texas Curb Cut Third Place

CHICKEN

Texas Cutting & Coring | Texas Curb Cut First Place

COE Concepts LLC Second Place

SpawGlass Third Place

JACKPOT

Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors First Place

SpawGlass Second Place

Bartlett Cocke General Contractors Third Place

QUESO

Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors First Place

SpawGlass Second Place

CORE Third Place

GRAND CHAMPION

Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors

Thank you to all sponsors as well musician JD Casper for helping make for a great event!

More pics here

Applications Open for 2027

Following on the continued success of our Construction Leadership Council (CLC), the Austin AGC now offers the an Executive Leadership Program (ELP) aimed at assisting mid-level construction professionals to learn more about the larger macro-issues that create opportunities for their career success and for the company they will eventually lead.

Among the 11 sessions offered in 2026 were scheduling and risk management, contract documents, communications, advocacy, personaility profiling, technology and change management, work/life rhythm and roundtable discussions with current executives.

A limited group (maximum of 12 participants) will develop a civic and professional network and emerge with an increased knowledge of our industry’s diversities. Beginning in January and ending in December, each session focuses on an integral aspect of the commercial construction industry specific to Austin and the surrounding region. Draft schedule for 2027 will be available soon. Contact Phil Thoden for details.

LEARN MORE and APPLY HERE

Texsas Construction Compensation Survey Results

The 2026 Texas AGC Compensation & Survey is intended to provide important data insights regarding compensation and benefits practices in the Texas commercial construction industry. The survey reflects responses from 66 participating organizations across Texas.

Members of The Associated General Contractors of America’s chapters across the State of Texas were asked to participate in the survey, which was conducted in July and August 2026.

Participants reported primary office locations in Dallas/Fort Worth (31), Houston (21), Austin (3), and select other Texas markets (11). A total of 14 firms included in the survey results perform work in the Austin area.

A few key takeaways from the 2026 results include:

• Survey participation increased by 65% compared to 2024, providing a stronger data set and broader industry representation.

• More than 10 new job titles were added this year, expanding the positions represented in the report.

• Compensation continues to rise, although increases have moderated compared to the significant year-over-year growth experienced from 2021–2023. This trend is also being seen nationally, with larger compensation increases becoming more targeted to specific positions and markets rather than occurring broadly across the workforce.

Contact Phil Thoden at the Austin AGC to purchase a copy of this year's results.Cost to receive a copy are $500 for participants and $1,000 (AGC members) $1,500 (non-members) for firms that didn’t participate. Preview of results here.

Registration is open for exhibitors and sponsors for 2026 Austin Trades Day hosted by the Construction Industry Education Fund (CIEF.)

We invite construction industry professionals, trade partners, apprenticeship programs, colleges, technical schools, and workforce development organizations to join CIEF Central Texas in inspiring the next generation of builders. This is your opportunity to showcase your profession through interactive, hands-on activities that allow students to experience the skills, tools, and technology used in today's construction industry. Whether you're teaching students how to use a tool, operate equipment, build a project, or explore a trade, your participation can help spark a lifelong career interest.

Trades Day is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors, whose contributions help offset event expenses and ensure students can attend at no cost.

Upcoming Networking Events

CLC Toy Drive - November 5

Holiday Party - December 1

All event registration available here on our website calendar.

Austin AGC www.agcaustin.org