As we move through 2026, building owners and developers are facing a uniquely complex landscape. While interest rates have started to gradually decline, the construction industry is faced with challenges of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. Labor shortages, tariff-driven material cost surges (with steel and aluminum seeing significant increases), and shifting federal policies have made project predictability more valuable than ever.
In this environment, having trusted partners with strategic agility, financial health, and a track record of performance for being on time, under budget, and providing excellent service is more important than ever to transforming these macroeconomic challenges into these three manageable variables:
1. Make financial stability your project’s “safety net.”In a market where high-profile project abandonments rose sharply in late 2025, a contractor’s financial health is a primary risk-mitigation tool. Fortney & Weygandt maintains a rare debt-free standing and an $80 million aggregate bonding capacity. For owners, this means your project is backed by a partner with the liquid capital to withstand market shocks and the credibility to secure the industry’s most competitive surety terms.
2. Plan early. Build smarter.Waiting for “the right time” to build can be a costly mistake in 2026, as cost increases from trade policies often outpace interest rate relief. We advocate for a Design-Build approach and early contractor engagement to provide “Smart” Design and Engineering—identifying cost-effective material selections and leaner construction methods to maintain quality while protecting the budget early in the process.
3. Team up with a partner who has deep knowledge in resilient markets.We are strategically positioned in the sectors showing the strongest resilience and growth in 2026, including healthcare, office, retail, institutional facilities, and retail rollouts. Whether you are navigating the complexities of medical equipment integration or the rapid pace of a national multi-site rollout, our team—averaging 20 years of experience per project manager—brings the institutional knowledge required to succeed when others falter.
The Bottom Line: Uncertainty doesn’t have to mean stopping a project! By partnering with a financially stable, technologically advanced, and relationship-focused firm like Fortney & Weygandt, you can move your 2026 projects from the planning board to completion with confidence.
