What the Work Is Telling Us Right Now
Practical observations on construction, workforce, and the built environment across Southern Colorado.
April 2026 • iiCON Construction
Focused Work. Meaningful Progress.
This month, a few different conversations seemed to point in the same direction: the next season of construction will reward clarity.
Clarity in the numbers. Clarity in the work we choose to pursue. Clarity in how we build teams, mentor younger talent, and plan for what is coming next.
Inside this issue, we look at why a healthy bank balance does not always tell the whole story, what Jason Schneider says owners should be watching before big decisions are made, and why the next generation of builders may already be closer than we think.
We also take a look at signals from the ABC 2026 Economic Forecast, where the message was not that the market is stopping, but that it is becoming more selective.
So, as usual, no fluff. No crystal ball. No dramatic economic predictions from people who also cannot find their reading glasses in the morning.
Just a few practical observations from the field and the conversations happening around the industry.
Let’s get into it.
Jason Schneider has spent his career helping business owners use accounting as more than a tax-time exercise. Since entering the field in 2004, his work has centered on accounting, tax planning, and strategic business planning as tools for better decisions, not just compliance.
For owners across construction, the trades, architecture, and engineering, Jason sees one theme come up often: growth can hide what the numbers are really saying.
A company may be busy, revenue may be up, and the bank balance may look healthy. Everyone loves a good bank balance. Unfortunately, it does not always tell you whether each project, client, team, or service line is actually producing the right margin or cash flow.
The stronger question is not just, “Are we growing?” It is, “Are we growing in a way that makes the business more durable?”
“Financial information should help owners make decisions while there is still time to act. If the books only explain what happened months ago, they are not helping the owner lead the business.”
That starts with visibility. Project costing, labor burden, utilization, overhead, retainage, receivables, and change orders all tell a more useful story than revenue alone. And if that sentence made your eyes glaze over a little, you are in good company.
Put more simply: the right numbers help owners see what is working, where margin is slipping, and which decisions need attention before they get expensive.
A few points worth remembering:
1. Busy is not the same as profitable.
Review where margin is gained, lost, or quietly absorbed.
2. Cash flow matters more than revenue on paper.
Plan around payroll, taxes, retainage, debt, and slow collections.
3. Tax planning works best before the big move.
Equipment purchases, compensation decisions, ownership changes, and large projects should be discussed before they are already in motion.
4. Today’s costs belong in today’s pricing.
Labor, insurance, financing, materials, technology, and risk should all show up in bids and proposals.
5. Build the business beyond the owner.
Succession is not just an exit plan. It is leadership, systems, continuity, and making the business less dependent on one person.
“The biggest tax mistake is waiting until year-end and asking, ‘What can we do now?’ Better planning starts earlier, when the owner still has real options.”
Accounting should not only explain what already happened. Done well, it helps owners lead with more clarity while there is still time to act.
Want to learn more about Jason’s work?
connect with Jason directly at
From the Field
Careers in Construction Colorado (CICC) Career Exploration & Hiring Fair
The Careers in Construction Colorado (CICC) Career Exploration & Hiring Fair brought together nearly 200–300 students from high schools across Southern Colorado for a morning focused on workforce development, career exploration, and industry connection.
Kai Jorgensen, our Director of Special Projects, and I had the opportunity to attend the event and spend time speaking with students about careers in construction and the skilled trades. What stood out most was the level of energy, curiosity, and initiative many of the students brought to the conversations. Several were already thinking seriously about long-term career paths in the industry, asking thoughtful questions about project management, field operations, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship.
One of the most encouraging moments came when we met a couple of students who had already launched their own small businesses. Between them, they were building sheds, installing and repairing fences, pressure washing, and cleaning windows while still in high school. That kind of initiative is hard not to respect.
It was also encouraging to see so many contractors, trade partners, and local businesses investing time into the next generation. The event reflected something that is easy to forget in the middle of busy projects and deadlines: the future of the industry depends on relationships, mentorship, and people willing to pour into young talent early.
Events like this are a strong reminder that the next generation of builders is already stepping forward. Huge credit goes to Careers in Construction Colorado for organizing such a meaningful and well-run event and for the work they continue to do connecting students to real opportunities in the skilled trades. Their investment in workforce development is making a lasting impact across our industry and community.
On Our Radar
One of the clearest themes coming out of the Associated Builders and Contractors 2026 Economic Forecast was that the market is not stopping, but it is becoming far more selective.
ABC Chief Economist Dr. Anirban Basu painted a picture of an economy still growing, but with more pressure building beneath the surface. Inflation remains elevated in key areas, borrowing costs are expected to stay higher for longer, and both lenders and owners are becoming increasingly cautious about where capital is deployed. The broader tone of the conversation was cautious, but not pessimistic.
For construction, the outlook continues to vary significantly by sector. Traditional office development remains challenged, portions of manufacturing have softened, and parts of the residential pipeline are beginning to cool. At the same time, infrastructure, utilities, healthcare, transportation, and energy-related work continue showing momentum.
One area that drew repeated attention was power infrastructure. As AI expansion increases electrical demand across the country, long-term investment tied to energy generation, utility upgrades, and grid capacity is expected to remain active for years ahead.
The discussion also reinforced something many contractors are already feeling in the field: backlog quality matters more than backlog size. Owners are scrutinizing projects more carefully, financing structures are tightening, and rising material costs continue putting pressure on feasibility and margins.
For companies planning the next 12 to 24 months, the conversation seemed less focused on aggressive growth and more centered on positioning: staying disciplined, protecting relationships, and aligning with sectors where long-term demand continues to emerge.
Closing Thought
This month was a good reminder that construction is always bigger than the work in front of us.
It is the numbers behind the decisions, the students just starting to find their path, the owners weighing the next move, and the teams trying to build something that holds up over time.
And speaking of holding up over time, we tried to come up with a great construction joke here… but we are still working on the foundation.
The point stands: the best next step usually starts by slowing down, looking closely, and making sure the work ahead is moving you in the right direction.
We will keep sharing what we are seeing along the way.
Until next month,
Uriah & Ben
Telling the Stories That Build Communities