In the construction industry, there is measured optimism but the transformation is well underway.

7,5/10: this is the average level of confidence that managers place in their company's ability to thrive in the market. A score that reflects genuine resilience, despite economic pressures and recruitment difficulties.

This optimism should be qualified depending on the size of the organizations.

The cautious optimism that characterizes the sector varies considerably depending on the size of the company:

• Structures with 250 employees and more show higher confidence, with a score of 7,9/10, driven by better investment capacity and greater market visibility.
• Companies with fewer than 250 employees are more reserved, with an average of 7,4/10, being more exposed to economic uncertainty and financial constraints.

Security and sustainability: priority investments

Safety on construction sites remains a strong priority regardless of the size of the company, even if investment capacities differ.

• 60% of companies with 250 employees or more plan to invest in occupational safety and health in the next 12 months, compared to 57% of companies with fewer than 250 employees.
• In total, 58% of companies plan to invest in this area.

The digitalization of security highlights a more pronounced gap: digital security monitoring tools are used or planned by 67% of large companies, compared to only 48% of SMEs, held back by more limited financing capabilities.

Sustainable development is also emerging as a strategic lever:

• 54% of companies plan to invest in sustainable development and corporate social responsibility in the next 12 months.
• 90% have implemented or plan to implement waste reduction at source (+11 points compared to the 2024 barometer)

AI is becoming integrated into construction practices, but at different paces.

Another significant development is the rapid progress of artificial intelligence.

• 70% of companies use or plan to use AI tools (+15 points vs 2024)
• 31% have already integrated them into their processes

AI is becoming a major differentiating factor for large organizations.

Its adoption is progressing more rapidly in large companies:

• 78% of companies with more than 250 employees use or plan to use AI, compared to 66% of companies with fewer than 250 employees.
• Technological innovation is among the investment priorities for the next 12 months for 47% of large companies, compared to 31% of SMEs.

AI thus appears as a key lever for optimizing the management of construction sites, cost management and the anticipation of workforce needs, but its deployment remains conditional on investment capacity.

A sector under pressure, but looking towards the future

Companies continue to face major structural obstacles:

• 64% cite market uncertainty
• 64% cite recruitment difficulties

Faced with these constraints, the construction industry is relying on digitalization, innovation and regulatory compliance to maintain its competitiveness.

According to Cyril Perrin, Executive Managing Director and CSO of Orisha Construction: "The barometer highlights a sector under pressure, but capable of profound transformation. Security, sustainability, and AI are no longer options, but levers for survival and differentiation."

Common challenges, different perceptions

While recruitment remains a major challenge for the entire sector (64%), other obstacles weigh differently depending on the size of the companies:

• Market uncertainty: it worries 68% of large companies, compared to 62% of SMEs
• Increased competition: cited by 69% of large organizations, compared to 60% of companies with fewer than 250 employees.

According to Cyril Perrin, Executive Managing Director of Orisha Construction: "The barometer highlights a sector capable of transforming itself, but it also underlines that the size of the company determines the speed of this transformation. While security and sustainability are common pillars, AI and digitalization are becoming major levers of differentiation for large organizations, while SMEs are moving forward with more pragmatism in the face of cost constraints."

Methodology

CAWI Study – 150 Construction Industry Decision-Makers – Fieldwork November 2025

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.