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.

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ABI release dates:

Check out the ABI when it’s released for a first look. Visit us on April 21, May 19, June 23, July 21, August 18, September 22, October 20, November 17, and December 15 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.

ABI February 2021: Architecture firm billings return to positive territory for the first time since the start of the pandemic one year ago

Firms expect fewer employees working in the office full-time post-pandemic, although many expect office space needs to be unchanged to accommodate better social distancing

ABI January 2021: Architecture firms report some signs of optimism amid the ongoing decline in billings

While some projects have been delayed due to the pandemic, few have been cancelled outright

ABI December 2020: Architecture firm billings end the year on a sour note

Business conditions at architecture firms backslid in December, ending a tough year on a disappointing note.

ABI November 2020: Business conditions at architecture firms backslide from October

Architecture firm billings declined for the ninth consecutive month in November.

ABI October 2020: As the decline in billings continues to slow, architecture firms report an increase in contracts signed for new work

Business conditions at architecture firms moved slowly towards recovery in October, as the pace of the decline in firm billings continued to slow.

ABI September 2020: Despite an ongoing decline in architecture firm billings, indicators of future work continue to improve

The third quarter of 2020 ended on a more promising note for architecture firms, as fewer firms reported declining billings in September than in recent months.

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