Georgia Construction Outlook Survey: 86% of Respondents Project Revenue Increase

KENNESAW, Ga. | May 19, 2017

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The Georgia Construction Outlook Survey indicates that 86 percent of the state’s privately held construction companies project a revenue increase over the prior year. The survey, released on Tuesday, was conducted by ’s Construction Management Department in cooperation with Bennett Thrasher, one of the country’s largest full-service certified public accounting and consulting firms.

The results were presented by Khalid Siddiqi, Chair of ’s College of Construction Management, along with Tom Jollay and Scott Hazy, Bennett Thrasher’s Construction Practice Co-Leaders. Eighty-one companies responded to the online survey, the purpose of which is to provide specific benchmarking data of the state’s general contractors and subcontractors.

Other major takeaways from the survey include:

  • Respondents reported an average gross profit margin of 11 percent. By comparison, the return on assets figure for a typical respondent in the 2016 Construction Financial Management Association’s national study was 9.0 percent.
  • Respondents reported an average gross profit per full-time equivalent employee of $30,747.
  • 87 percent of the companies surveyed said recruiting and retaining qualified individuals was their biggest business challenge.
  • 73 percent of the 2,368 privately held construction companies in Georgia are located in metro Atlanta.
  • 64 percent of the companies surveyed said they are a family-owned business and 66 percent of surveyed participants said they have a succession plan in place.
  • The average ratio of Human Resources Directors per full-time employee is 1:51.

The survey also compiled data on compensation, including average salaries for all contractors:

  • President/CEO: $177,435
  • CFO: $156,333
  • Controller: $85,947
  • IT Manager: $95,714
  • Project Manager: $80,286
  • Sales/Marketing Manager: $81,100
  • HR Manager: $67,313
  • Estimator: $70,522
  • Superintendent: $79,160
  • Cost Engineer: $67,500
  • Foreman: $52,621


For more information about the survey, please contact Bennett Thrasher Director of Marketing and Practice Growth Erinn Keserica at erinn.keserica@btcpa.net.

About Bennett Thrasher LLP 
Bennett Thrasher LLP is one of the country’s largest full-service certified public accounting and consulting firms. The firm creates significant value and a unique positive experience through collaboration—with and between clients, partners, associates and the community. Founded in 1980 by Rick Bennett and Ken Thrasher, Bennett Thrasher today has a dedicated, experienced team of partners and associates who believe in creating value by working “Better Together.” For more information, please visit Bennett Thrasher’s website at .

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