The construction industry employs more than 8 million people in the United States, and one in three workers is Hispanic (31.6%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). But most are salaried employees: large construction companies hire hundreds of subcontractors per project, and that's where the opportunity lies for a small Hispanic business. This guide shows who the largest construction companies in the country are in 2026, what they build, and, in the second part, how to register as a subcontractor and what they will require.
The largest construction companies in the United States (general contractors)
Ranking based on contract revenues reported to Engineering News-Record (ENR Top 400), the industry benchmark. Figures are approximate, in billions of dollars, and correspond to the most recent fiscal year published.
| # | Company | Headquarters | Approximate income | What builds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turner Construction | New York | $20,000 M+ | Hospitals, stadiums, data centers, offices; work in every state |
| 2 | Bechtel | Reston, Virginia | $18,000 M+ | Energy, natural gas plants, infrastructure, public works |
| 3 | Kiewit | Omaha, Nebraska | $17,000 M+ | Roads, bridges, energy, water |
| 4 | STO Building Group (Structure Tone) | New York | $11,000 M+ | Corporate interiors, offices, laboratories |
| 5 | Whiting-Turner | Baltimore | $11,000 M+ | Commercial, education, health, distribution centers |
| 6 | DPRConstruction | Redwood City, California | $10,000 M+ | Technology, healthcare, data centers, pharmaceuticals |
| 7 | Skanska USA | New York | $9,000 M+ | Public works, transport, buildings |
| 8 | Clark Construction | Bethesda, Maryland | $7,000 M+ | Government, airports, universities |
| 9 | Gilbane Building Company | Providence, Rhode Island | $7,000 M+ | Schools, hospitals, public buildings |
| 10 | Hensel Phelps | Greeley, Colorado | $6,000 M+ | Airports, defense, health |
Others that contract a lot in the south and center of the country: PCL Construction, JE Dunn (Kansas City), Brasfield & Gorrie (Birmingham), Balfour Beatty US, McCarthy (St. Louis), Swinerton, Mortenson (Minneapolis) and, in Tennessee, Turner, Brasfield & Gorrie, Hoar, Messer and Bell & Associates concentrate a large part of the work in Nashville and Clarksville.
The largest home builders
If your trade is residential (framing, drywall, roofing, flooring, painting, concrete, plumbing, electrical), these are the clients who subcontract the most. Number of homes completed per year according to each company's annual reports:
| Company | Headquarters | Houses per year | Strong states |
|---|---|---|---|
| D.R. Horton | Arlington, Texas | ≈ 90,000 | Texas, Florida, Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, Arizona |
| lennar | Miami | ≈ 80,000 | Florida, Texas, California, Carolinas, Colorado |
| PulteGroup | Atlanta | ≈ 31,000 | Florida, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Carolinas |
| NVR (Ryan Homes) | Reston, Virginia | ≈ 23,000 | Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania, Carolinas, Tennessee |
| Great brothers | Fort Washington, Pensilvania | ≈ 11,000 | Luxury homes in 24 states |
| KB Home, Meritage, Taylor Morrison, Century Communities | 10,000 – 15,000 each | south and west |
How to work with a large construction company as a Hispanic contractor
No large construction company hires you as an individual; they hire your company , and before signing, a "pre-qualification" department reviews it. Here's what they'll ask for, in order:
- Formal company: LLC or corporation with EIN, business bank account, and, if you have employees, payroll records. Guide: How to own a construction company in the USA.
- Contractor license State and trade license (in Tennessee, a Board for Licensing Contractors license for contracts of $25,000 or more; a home improvement license for contracts of $3,000–$24,999 in certain counties). Without a license, you will not pass prequalification.
- Insurance: general liability (typically $1 million per incident / $2 million aggregate), workers' compensation (required even if you only have one employee in most states), commercial auto insurance, and, for public works projects, umbrella insurance. You will need to issue a insurance certificate (COI) naming the construction company as an additional insured.
- Bonding capacity: For large or public contracts, a performance bond is usually required. A surety company will evaluate your financial statements; start with contracts that don't require one and build a track record.
- Safety: OSHA 10 card for workers and OSHA 30 card for the supervisor; a written safety plan; accident rate (EMR) below 1.0 if you already have a history.
- Register as a supplier: Each construction company has a subcontractor portal (Turner, Skanska, DPR, Whiting-Turner, and Clark publish it on their websites as "Subcontractor prequalification" or "Supplier diversity"). You fill it out once, and they notify you of tenders in your area.
- Minority Business (MBE) Certification through the National Minority Supplier Development Council or state certification (in Tennessee, Go-DBE for public works). Large construction companies have hiring targets for minority-owned businesses, and certification puts you on their list.
How to get your first contract
- It begins as "sub of the sub": Large drywall, concrete, or roofing subcontractors often subcontract their crews. This is the fastest way to get started and doesn't require prequalification with the construction company.
- Attend outreach meetings These are organized by construction companies before large projects (hospitals, stadiums, factories). They are advertised on their websites and through Hispanic chambers of commerce.
- Public works: Register at SAM.gov (federal) and your state's procurement portal; contracts with public funds have minority business participation targets.
- House builders: The contact person is the construction manager for each community; he arrives licensed, insured, and with a crew ready, and offers a price per unit (per house, per square foot).
- Charges well: Large companies pay in 30-60 days and withhold 5-10% until the project is completed. You need working capital. ITIN business loans.
Main licenses for a construction company
They vary by state, but the pattern is the same: general contractor (complete construction), specialty contractor (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, painting; these usually require an exam and years of proven experience), home improvement contractor (low-cost residential remodeling), and local city or county registration . Examples with their own guides: contractor license in New Jersey , painting contractor license in Florida , and how to start a roofing company.
FAQ
Which is the largest construction company in the United States?
Turner Construction in general construction (more than $20,000 billion a year) and DR Horton in home construction (about 90,000 a year).
Can I be a subcontractor without a contractor's license?
For jobs below your state's threshold (e.g., $25,000 in Tennessee) and as a crew for another subcontractor, in many cases yes; for direct contracting with a large construction company, no.
Which insurance is mandatory?
General liability and workers' compensation. Construction companies require proof of additional insurance coverage from them before allowing you onto the construction site.
Is minority company certification useful?
Yes: large construction companies and public works projects have hiring targets for minority-owned businesses, and MBE/DBE certification includes you in their supplier directories.
How long does it take to pay?
30-60 days from the approved invoice date, with a 5-10% retention until the work is completed. Budget for at least two months' payroll before the first payment is due.
Fonts
- ENR — Top 400 Contractors
- BLS — Employment by industry, sex, race, and Hispanic origin
- Tennessee — Board for Licensing Contractors
- OSHA — 10 and 30 hour training program
- SAM.gov — Registration for Federal Contracts
This information is general and does not replace the advice of a lawyer or accountant. To form your construction LLC, obtain your EIN, and ensure your payroll is in order before your first prequalification, request a quote.
