Census of Construction data sheds light on some interesting issues.
Every five years the Census of Construction Industries (CCI) publishes data about the nation's construction trades and businesses. Although out of date - results for the 1997 survey year didn't appear until July 1999 - anyone who seeks truth in numbers can glean plenty of useful information about our industry.
The CCI defines construction work to include new construction, additions, alterations and repairs, so the count includes service firms as well as construction companies. It includes much more detail than I will go into here. Instead I will deal only with nationwide data for the plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors category.