Site Preparation Contractors Industry Profile

The US site preparation contractor industry includes about 40,000 establishments (single-location companies and branches of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $70 billion. Major companies include Hayward Baker and Nuprecon. More than 80 percent of site prep contracting businesses have fewer than 10 employees. Many site prep contractors operate as unincorporated sole proprietorships, without permanent employees.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Construction and demolition projects drive demand for site prep contractors. The profitability of individual companies depends on accurate bidding and optimal deployment of personnel and equipment. Large companies have advantages in handling multiple types of projects simultaneously. Small companies can compete effectively by subcontracting their services to larger firms, specializing by type of work, or becoming a preferred contractor for local builders and developers. Small companies often compete with solo owner-operators who hire temporary workers and rent equipment as needed.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major services are land clearing and excavation, preparation for construction, and demolition. Excavation services account for 60 percent of industry business, heavy construction for 30 percent, and wrecking and demolition, 8 percent. Other services include preparing for water, sewer, and pipeline construction, and support for oil, gas, and mining operations.

Most firms specialize in preparation work for buildings or infrastructure projects. Constructing buildings represents about 50 percent of site prep work. Infrastructure projects include highways, sewer and water mains and facilities, and driveways.

Contractors use wrecking equipment to demolish buildings and structures, and a variety ...