NAICS 238190 Quarterly Industry Report
Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 238190Sector: Construction (23)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors (NAICS 238190) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[4], Bureau of Labor Statistics[7], and SBA size standards database[5]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, specialty construction analysts, and building trades investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Definition & Overview
Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors (NAICS 238190) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in building foundation and structure trades work not classified under poured concrete, structural steel, framing, masonry, glass and glazing, roofing, or siding per the U.S. Census Bureau[3]. Work performed includes new construction, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. Activities include curtain wall metal frame installation, concrete form erection and dismantling, on-site welding, ornamental and decorative metal installation, fire escape construction, waterproofing and damp-proofing, and exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS).
This classification captures a diverse range of specialty exterior and structural trades that serve both residential and commercial construction markets. Foundation waterproofing contractors protect below-grade concrete from moisture penetration. Formwork contractors erect and strip the temporary structures that contain concrete during placement and curing. On-site welders perform structural connections, pipe welding, and equipment installation across all construction sectors. Ornamental iron and decorative metal contractors fabricate and install railings, fences, gates, and architectural metalwork per Census Bureau[4] activity descriptions.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[5], the size standard is $19 million in average annual receipts. American Welding Society (AWS) publishes welding procedure and welder qualification standards including AWS D1.1 (Structural Welding Code - Steel) that govern on-site welding quality. OSHA[6] construction safety standards under 29 CFR 1926 apply to all activities in this classification, with fall protection during exterior work at elevation and welding fume exposure representing key safety concerns. ASTM International publishes waterproofing material standards, and manufacturers' installation guidelines establish application procedures for below-grade and above-grade waterproofing systems. EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) provides design and installation standards for exterior insulation and finish systems.
What's Included in This Industry
- Foundation waterproofing and damp-proofing
- Concrete formwork erection and dismantling
- On-site structural and pipe welding
- Ornamental and decorative metal installation
- Fire escape construction and installation
- Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS)
- Curtain wall metal frame assembly
- Wrought iron fence, gate, and railing fabrication
- Below-grade drainage and moisture protection
- Architectural metal panel installation
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Construction | 23 |
| Subsector | Specialty Trade Contractors | 238 |
| Industry Group | Building Foundation And Exterior Contractors | 2381 |
| NAICS Industry | Other Building Exterior Contractors | 23819 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 236220 | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction manages projects where multiple specialty exterior trades in this classification work as subcontractors, with general contractors coordinating waterproofing, formwork, welding, and ornamental metal schedules within the overall construction sequence |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 11.7% | 734 |
| 2 | California | 11.5% | 721 |
| 3 | Florida | 9.1% | 569 |
| 4 | New York | 4.2% | 263 |
| 5 | North Carolina | 4.0% | 249 |
| 6 | Illinois | 3.4% | 210 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 3.2% | 201 |
| 8 | Colorado | 3.1% | 197 |
| 9 | Georgia | 2.6% | 166 |
| 10 | Washington | 2.5% | 154 |
% Of Establishments
0%
12%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[1]
SBA Lending Summary
952
Total SBA Loans
$338.2M
Total Loan Volume
$355K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.60%
Average Interest Rate
6,992
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], Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors (NAICS 238190) has a size standard of $19 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[8] support equipment purchases, welding apparatus, and working capital for qualifying specialty exterior and structural trade firms. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[9] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[10] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Byline Bank | 24 | $68.8M | $2.9M |
| 2 | Northeast Bank | 88 | $24.6M | $279K |
| 3 | 22nd State Bank, A Division of 22nd State Banking Company | 8 | $20.4M | $2.5M |
| 4 | Zions Bank, A Division of | 16 | $15.4M | $965K |
| 5 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 56 | $14.8M | $264K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is NAICS 238190?
NAICS 238190 covers other foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors including waterproofing, formwork, on-site welding, ornamental metal, EIFS, and fire escape work per the U.S. Census Bureau[3].
What is the SBA size standard for this classification?
The SBA size standard[5] is $19 million in average annual receipts, determining eligibility for federal small business contracting programs and SBA lending products.
What welding standards apply to construction?
American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 (Structural Welding Code - Steel) governs on-site structural welding procedures, welder qualifications, and inspection requirements, with certified welding inspectors verifying weld quality per project specifications on structural steel and pipe welding projects.
What is foundation waterproofing?
Foundation waterproofing involves applying membrane, coating, or sheet barrier systems to below-grade concrete and masonry walls to prevent water infiltration per Census Bureau[3] activity descriptions, with positive-side and negative-side waterproofing methods addressing different moisture exposure conditions.
What is EIFS?
Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems combine rigid insulation board with a synthetic stucco finish coat applied over building walls per EIMA (EIFS Industry Members Association) design standards, providing both thermal insulation and weather-resistant exterior finish in a single cladding system.
What safety standards govern exterior work?
OSHA[6] fall protection standards under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M apply to all exterior work at elevation, with additional welding fume exposure limits under OSHA health standards and confined space entry requirements for below-grade waterproofing in deep excavations.
What is ornamental metalwork?
Ornamental metalwork includes decorative railings, fences, gates, grilles, and architectural metal elements fabricated from steel, aluminum, or wrought iron per industry practice, with custom designs produced from architectural drawings and installed by specialty metal contractors in this classification.
What does concrete formwork involve?
Formwork contractors erect temporary molds from wood, steel, or aluminum panels that contain wet concrete during placement and curing per structural concrete construction methods, with form design, bracing, and alignment directly affecting the quality and dimensions of the finished concrete structure.
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]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [5]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [6]OSHA osha.gov
- [7]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [8]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [9]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [10]504 loans sba.gov
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