NAICS Code for Construction

Construction NAICS codes are more granular than most sectors. The federal government distinguishes between building construction, heavy civil, and specialty trades, and each category has its own size standard and competition dynamics. Picking the wrong construction code costs small contractors eligibility for contracts they could actually execute.

Primary NAICS codes for construction

236220: Commercial and Institutional Building Construction ($45M size standard) Use this for commercial buildings, schools, government offices, and institutional facilities. This is the default primary for general contractors doing vertical construction for federal clients.

236210: Industrial Building Construction ($45M size standard) Use this for manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and industrial buildings. Less competition than 236220 but also lower federal demand.

237310: Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction ($45M size standard) Use this if you build roads, bridges, or federal highway infrastructure. Heavy equipment operators and civil contractors fit here.

237990: Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction ($45M size standard) Use this as a catch-all for heavy civil work that doesn't fit more specific codes. Environmental remediation, dam construction, utility work.

238990: All Other Specialty Trade Contractors ($19M size standard) Use this for specialty trades that don't fit a dedicated NAICS. Smaller contractors often start here before narrowing.

Specialty trade NAICS codes

238210: Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors ($19M) 238220: Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors ($19M) 238910: Site Preparation Contractors ($19M) 238160: Roofing Contractors ($19M)

Each specialty trade has its own NAICS with a $19M size standard. If you're a specialty sub, register under the code matching your trade.

Which code should be your primary

General contractors should primary under 236220 or 237990 depending on whether they do vertical building or heavy civil work. Secondary codes cover other work types you actually perform.

Specialty trades should primary under their specific trade NAICS. Adding 238990 (all other) as a secondary captures edge cases without diluting positioning.

Hybrid firms that do both GC and specialty work should think carefully. Primary NAICS drives size standard calculations, and the $45M general construction standards give more runway than the $19M specialty trade standards.

Size standard considerations

Construction has some of the highest size standards in federal contracting ($45M for most general construction). This means construction contractors stay "small" longer than most service firms. Specialty trade size standards ($19M) are much tighter.

If you're growing quickly and have a choice between positioning as a GC or a specialty trade, the GC classification keeps you eligible for small business set-asides significantly longer.

Federal demand snapshot

GSA, Army Corps of Engineers, VA, and Department of Interior are the largest federal construction buyers. Military construction (MILCON) drives significant DoD volume. VA facility construction and renovation is a consistent SDVOSB set-aside category.

Construction contracts often run large, but multiple award contracts and task order vehicles break work into small-contractor-sized pieces.

Next steps

Validate your codes with the NAICS recommender. For set-aside strategy and NAICS sequencing as you grow, see the NAICS code finder guide.