Architecture firms report an average backlog of 6.1 months for the first quarter of 2021—up from the 5.3 months reported in the fourth quarter of 2020. Throughout 2020, backlogs decreased dramatically to an average of 5.3 months, with a low of 5.0 in the first quarter of 2020. The decrease was influenced by the shutdowns in the spring and summer, when firms either saw cancellations of projects or worked down existing backlogs. The new growth is an indicator that firms are seeing healthier conditions for their architectural services in 2021.
Source: AIA Work-on-the-Boards/ABI survey. For more information, visit aia.org/abi.