Sector 23  Construction

The Construction sector comprises establishments primarily engaged
in the construction of buildings and other structures, heavy
construction (except buildings), additions, alterations,
reconstruction, installation, and maintenance and repairs.
Establishments engaged in demolition or wrecking of buildings and
other structures, clearing of building sites, and sale of materials from
demolished structures are also included. This sector also includes
those establishments engaged in blasting, test drilling, landfill,
leveling, earthmoving, excavating, land drainage, and other land
preparation. The industries within this sector have been defined on the
basis of their unique production processes. As with all industries, the
production processes are distinguished by their use of specialized
human resources and specialized physical capital. Construction
activities are generally administered or managed at a relatively fixed
place of business, but the actual construction work is performed at one
or more different project sites. 

This sector is divided into three subsectors of construction
activities: (1) building construction and land subdivision and land
development; (2) heavy construction (except buildings), such as
highways, power plants, and pipelines; and (3) construction activity by
special trade contractors. 

Establishments classified in Subsector 233, Building, Developing, and
General Contracting and Subsector 234, Heavy Construction, usually
assume responsibility for an entire construction project, and may
subcontract some or all of the actual construction work. Operative
builders who build on their own account for sale, and land subdividers
and land developers, who engage in subdividing real property into lots
for sale, are included in Subsector 233, Building, Developing, and
General Contracting. (Special trade contractors are included in
Subsector 234, Heavy Construction, if they are engaged in activities
primarily relating to heavy construction, such as grading for
highways.) Establishments included in these subsectors operate as
general contractors, design-builders, engineer-constructors,
joint-venture contractors, and turnkey construction contractors.
Establishments identified as construction management firms are also
included. 

Establishments classified in Subsector 235, Special Trade Contractors,
are primarily engaged in specialized construction activities, such as
plumbing, painting, and electrical work, and work for builders and
general contractors under subcontract or directly for project owners.
Establishments engaged in demolition or wrecking of buildings and other
structures, dismantling of machinery, excavating, shoring and
underpinning, anchored earth retention activities, foundation drilling,
and grading for buildings are also included in this subsector.

"Force account" construction is construction work performed by an
establishment primarily engaged in some business other than
construction, for its own account and use, and by employees of the
establishment. This activity is not included in this industry sector
unless the construction work performed is the primary activity of a
separate establishment of the enterprise. 

The installation of prefabricated building equipment and materials,
such as elevators and revolving doors, is classified in the
Construction sector. Installation work incidental to sales by employees
of a manufacturing or retail establishment is classified as an activity
of those establishments.