NAICS 238130 Quarterly Industry Report
Framing Contractors
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 238130Sector: Construction (23)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Framing Contractors (NAICS 238130) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[7], Bureau of Labor Statistics[4], NAHB[8], and SBA size standards database[5]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, residential construction analysts, and specialty trade investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Definition & Overview
Framing Contractors (NAICS 238130) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in structural framing and sheathing using materials other than structural steel or concrete per the U.S. Census Bureau[3]. Work performed includes new construction, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. Activities include wood frame wall, floor, and roof construction; prefabricated wood truss installation; light-gauge steel stud framing; and structural sheathing application. This classification excludes structural steel erection (NAICS 238120) and concrete foundation work (NAICS 238110).
Over 85,000 workers are employed in framing construction per Bureau of Labor Statistics[4] data, with the vast majority performing wood-frame construction for residential projects. Single-family housing starts drive the bulk of framing demand, with multifamily wood-frame buildings of up to five stories representing a growing market segment following building code changes allowing taller mass timber and light-frame wood structures. Framing contractors range from small crews of 3 to 5 carpenters serving local homebuilders to regional firms employing 50 or more framers across multiple housing subdivisions. Light-gauge steel framing has gained market share in commercial tenant improvement and multifamily construction where non-combustible framing is required by fire codes.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[5], the size standard is $19 million in average annual receipts. International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) adopted by most U.S. jurisdictions establish prescriptive and engineered framing requirements. OSHA[6] construction safety standards under 29 CFR 1926 apply to framing operations, with fall protection (Subpart M) representing the most frequently cited safety standard on framing job sites. National Association of Home Builders publishes Residential Construction Performance Guidelines that define framing tolerances for wall plumb, floor levelness, and roof alignment. American Wood Council (AWC) publishes the National Design Specification for Wood Construction governing structural wood design.
What's Included in This Industry
- Wood frame wall, floor, and roof construction
- Prefabricated roof and floor truss installation
- Light-gauge steel stud wall framing
- Structural sheathing and subflooring installation
- Window and door rough opening framing
- Stairway framing and construction
- Engineered wood product installation (LVL, I-joists)
- Exterior wall shear panel installation
- Porch, deck, and balcony framing
- Mass timber and cross-laminated timber assembly
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Construction | 23 |
| Subsector | Specialty Trade Contractors | 238 |
| Industry Group | Building Foundation And Exterior Contractors | 2381 |
| NAICS Industry | Framing Contractors | 23813 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 236115 | New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) | New Single-Family Housing Construction represents the primary customer base for framing contractors, with custom homebuilders subcontracting framing as a core structural trade on virtually every new single-family residential construction project |
| 236116 | New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) | New Multifamily Housing Construction drives framing demand for apartment and condominium projects, with wood-frame multifamily buildings up to five stories representing a growing market segment for framing contractors as building codes expand allowable wood construction heights |
| 236117 | New Housing For-Sale Builders | New Housing For-Sale Builders maintain ongoing framing subcontractor relationships for production homebuilding, with framing crews moving sequentially through subdivision lots on scheduled cycles that align with builder production targets and lot delivery timelines |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 7.9% | 988 |
| 2 | Florida | 6.5% | 815 |
| 3 | Washington | 6.4% | 796 |
| 4 | Texas | 4.8% | 600 |
| 5 | New York | 4.8% | 599 |
| 6 | Idaho | 4.3% | 545 |
| 7 | Colorado | 4.1% | 508 |
| 8 | Utah | 3.8% | 475 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 3.5% | 440 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 3.4% | 424 |
% Of Establishments
0%
8%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[1]
SBA Lending Summary
512
Total SBA Loans
$133.4M
Total Loan Volume
$261K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.57%
Average Interest Rate
4,096
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[2]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[5], Framing Contractors (NAICS 238130) has a size standard of $19 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[9] support equipment purchases, vehicle fleets, and working capital for qualifying framing construction firms. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[10] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[11] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Community Bank & Trust-West Georgia | 8 | $22.6M | $2.8M |
| 2 | MidFirst Bank | 8 | $14.9M | $1.9M |
| 3 | Ion Bank | 8 | $13.3M | $1.7M |
| 4 | Northeast Bank | 40 | $9.6M | $240K |
| 5 | Village Bank and Trust, National Association | 16 | $8.1M | $504K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for framing contractors?
NAICS 238130 covers framing contractors performing structural framing and sheathing with materials other than structural steel or concrete per the U.S. Census Bureau[3], including wood framing, truss installation, and light-gauge steel stud work.
What is the SBA size standard for framing contractors?
The SBA size standard[5] is $19 million in average annual receipts, determining eligibility for federal small business contracting programs and SBA lending products.
How many workers are employed in framing construction?
Over 85,000 workers perform framing construction per Bureau of Labor Statistics[4] data, with the vast majority working on wood-frame residential projects for single-family and multifamily homebuilders.
What building codes govern framing construction?
International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) adopted by most U.S. jurisdictions establish prescriptive and engineered framing requirements, with NAHB[8] Performance Guidelines defining framing tolerances for wall plumb, floor levelness, and roof alignment.
What is the most common OSHA citation on framing sites?
OSHA[6] fall protection standards under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M represent the most frequently cited safety standard on framing job sites, with framers working at elevation on floor and roof systems requiring guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest equipment.
What materials do framing contractors use?
Dimensional lumber (2x4, 2x6, 2x10, 2x12), engineered wood products (LVL beams, I-joists, glulam), structural sheathing (OSB, plywood), and prefabricated trusses per industry material standards, with light-gauge steel studs used on commercial and code-required non-combustible framing projects.
What drives framing contractor demand?
Single-family housing starts drive the bulk of demand per Census Bureau[7] new residential construction data, with multifamily wood-frame buildings and commercial tenant improvement projects providing additional work volume that varies with construction cycle conditions.
What is mass timber framing?
Mass timber construction uses cross-laminated timber (CLT), glulam, and nail-laminated timber panels as structural framing for mid-rise buildings up to 18 stories per International Building Code allowances, representing an emerging framing technology that extends wood construction into building types previously limited to steel and concrete.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [2]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [4]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [5]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [6]OSHA osha.gov
- [7]U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [8]NAHB nahb.org
- [9]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [10]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [11]504 loans sba.gov
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