Architecture Billings Index (ABI)

The Architecture Billings Index is an economic indicator for nonresidential construction activity, with a lead time of approximately 9–12 months. Investment groups like Wells Fargo, media outlets, firms of all sizes, and business leaders rely on this leading monthly economic indicator to assess business conditions and predict and track the market.

The index is derived from AIA’s Work-on-the-Boards survey, which has gathered data on shifts in billings from architectural firm leaders for over 20 years. This data is a trusted tool used by the design and construction industry and other firms to predict and track movements in the market

Examples of the ABI in use:

Firm strategic planning: ADD Inc., a multidisciplinary design firm with 200 employees, uses the ABI to help prepare for market fluctuations and ramp-up hiring.
Determining business cycle shifts: Johnson Controls, which provides buildings services, looks to ABI for an early picture of construction trends to use in resource planning and stockholder guidance—and to identify expansion opportunities.
Timing in a changing economy: One of the largest privately held family-owned real estate development and construction firms, Gilbane Inc., finds the ABI vital to help manage budgets, prepare for market movements, manage RFPs and seek leads.

Need more examples of how to use the ABI?

Use our whitepapers to help you maximize its value.

2014 White Paper, “Designing the Construction Future: Reviewing the Performance and Extending the Applications of the AIA’s Architecture Billings Index"

2005 White Paper, “Architecture Billings as a Leading Indicator of Construction: Analysis of the Relationship Between a Billings Index and Construction Spending”

Are you an architecture firm owner or principal?

Participate in our monthly survey to compare your firm to others, track the economy and local business conditions, and use data to target business opportunities.

Join the Work-on-the-Boards panel >

ABI release dates:

Check out the ABI when it’s released for a first look. Visit us on October 19, November 16, and December 14 to stay up on the latest.

Note: In February our research team revises the historical seasonal adjustment factors, which may lead to updated ABI scores from previous months.

Save the date! Join Kermit Baker, AIA’s Chief Economist, on Thursday, October 27 at 2 PM ET to hear the next quarterly update of the industry's latest economic data and what firms are reporting. Register for free at https://aiau.aia.org/courses/2022-economic-update-4

ABI August 2022: Billings continue to grow at architecture firms

Business conditions remained generally strong at architecture firms in August.

ABI July 2022: Architecture firm billings grow at a slower pace

While architecture firm billings grew for the 18th consecutive month in July, the pace of growth continued to slow.

ABI June 2022: Architecture firms continue to report modest billings growth

Architecture firm billings continued to grow at a modest pace in June.

ABI May 2022: Business conditions at architecture firms remain strong despite economic headwinds

Architecture firms continued to report strong business conditions in May, despite increasing headwinds in the economy.

ABI April 2022: Architecture firm billings continue to expand at a steady pace

Architecture firm billings continued to experience strong growth in April.

ABI March 2022: Business conditions at architecture firms strengthen further

Architecture firm billings showed strong growth in March, following more modest increases over the previous three months.

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