NAICS 238990 Quarterly Industry Report
All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 238990Sector: Construction (23)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for All Other Specialty Trade Contractors (NAICS 238990) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics[8], and SBA size standards database[6]. 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 Snapshot
Key metrics for the all other specialty trade contractors industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
All Other Specialty Trade Contractors (NAICS 238990) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in specialized construction trades not classified elsewhere within the specialty trade contractor subsector per the U.S. Census Bureau[4]. Work performed includes new construction, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. Activities include fence and gate installation, outdoor swimming pool construction, interlocking brick paver installation, artificial turf laying, billboard erection, concrete patio and sidewalk construction, parking lot and driveway paving, chimney cleaning and repair, house moving, and post-tension cable installation.
Roughly 37,952 establishments employ 249,363 workers generating $54.6 billion in revenue with $13.8 billion in annual payroll per Census Bureau[5] economic survey data. Contractors in this classification tend toward smaller firm sizes, with the majority employing fewer than 20 workers. Residential fence installation, swimming pool construction, and paver patio work generate steady demand tied to housing and outdoor living markets. Commercial work includes parking lot paving and striping, fence and security barrier installation, and specialty concrete flatwork. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) with over 21,000 members and American Subcontractors Association (ASA) with over 5,500 member firms represent specialty trade contractors across all classifications.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[6], the size standard is $19 million in average annual receipts. State and local building codes govern swimming pool construction including barrier requirements per the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC). OSHA[7] construction safety standards under 29 CFR 1926 apply to all work, with each specialty trade facing distinct safety hazards ranging from trench safety for paver base preparation to confined space entry for chimney work. Local permits and zoning regulations govern fence height, pool setback, and paving lot coverage requirements. EPA lead renovation rules apply to work disturbing painted surfaces on pre-1978 structures.
What's Included in This Industry
- Fence and gate installation (wood, vinyl, chain link, metal)
- Outdoor swimming pool and spa construction
- Interlocking paver and brick patio installation
- Artificial turf installation
- Concrete patio, sidewalk, and driveway construction
- Parking lot paving, sealing, and striping
- Billboard and sign structure erection
- House and building moving and raising
- Post-tension cable installation
- Chimney construction, repair, and cleaning
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Construction | 23 |
| Subsector | Specialty Trade Contractors | 238 |
| Industry Group | Other Specialty Trade Contractors | 2389 |
| NAICS Industry | All Other Specialty Trade Contractors | 23899 |
| National Industry | All Other Specialty Trade Contractors | 238990 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 238910 | Site Preparation Contractors | Site Preparation Contractors perform grading and excavation that precedes many specialty trade activities in this classification, with pool excavation, fence post hole drilling, and paver base preparation often requiring earthwork performed by site preparation equipment before specialty installation begins |
| 238110 | Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors | Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors pour the concrete footings and slabs that support fences, pools, patios, and other structures this classification constructs, with concrete flatwork for patios and sidewalks overlapping between foundation contractors and specialty trade firms depending on project scope |
| 238140 | Masonry Contractors | Masonry Contractors build brick and stone walls, columns, and fireplaces that relate to the brick paver, chimney, and outdoor masonry work that firms in this classification perform, with project scope determining whether masonry contractors or specialty trade firms perform outdoor brick and stone construction |
| 238320 | Painting and Wall Covering Contractors | Painting and Wall Covering Contractors perform exterior painting that often accompanies fence installation, pool deck coating, and structure finishing work, with painting and specialty trade contractors coordinating on residential and commercial exterior improvement projects |
| 238330 | Flooring Contractors | Flooring Contractors install interior floor coverings that complement the exterior paving, patio, and artificial turf work that specialty trade contractors in this classification perform, with interior flooring and exterior hardscaping representing the indoor and outdoor floor surface finishing trades |
| 236115 | New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) | New Single-Family Housing Construction generates demand for fence installation, patio construction, driveway paving, and other exterior improvements that specialty trade contractors perform during the final phase of residential construction and during post-occupancy improvements |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | 10.5% | 4,497 |
| 2 | California | 8.3% | 3,549 |
| 3 | Texas | 7.1% | 3,028 |
| 4 | New York | 5.5% | 2,333 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 4.1% | 1,747 |
| 6 | Illinois | 3.8% | 1,620 |
| 7 | Virginia | 3.6% | 1,527 |
| 8 | South Carolina | 3.5% | 1,484 |
| 9 | Minnesota | 3.1% | 1,347 |
| 10 | Michigan | 3.1% | 1,336 |
% Of Establishments
0%
11%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[2]
SBA Lending Summary
1,260
Total SBA Loans
$583.6M
Total Loan Volume
$463K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.18%
Average Interest Rate
10,641
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[3]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[6], All Other Specialty Trade Contractors (NAICS 238990) has a size standard of $19 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[9] support equipment purchases, vehicles, and working capital for qualifying specialty trade contracting 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 | The Huntington National Bank | 194 | $85.6M | $441K |
| 2 | U.S. Bank, National Association | 81 | $30.1M | $371K |
| 3 | First Internet Bank of Indiana | 16 | $25.6M | $1.6M |
| 4 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 36 | $25.6M | $711K |
| 5 | Northeast Bank | 122 | $23.0M | $189K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for fence contractors?
NAICS 238990 covers all other specialty trade contractors including fence installation, pool construction, paver work, artificial turf, billboard erection, and chimney services per the U.S. Census Bureau[4].
What is the SBA size standard for specialty trades?
The SBA size standard[6] is $19 million in average annual receipts, determining eligibility for federal small business contracting programs and SBA lending products.
How large is this specialty trade classification?
Roughly 37,952 establishments employ 249,363 workers generating $54.6 billion in revenue per Census Bureau[5] economic survey data, with the majority of firms employing fewer than 20 workers and serving residential and small commercial markets.
What pool construction codes apply?
International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) establishes construction, barrier, and safety equipment requirements for pool and spa installations, with state and local building departments enforcing pool barrier height, gate latch, and drain entrapment protection standards adopted from the model code.
What permits do fence installations need?
Local zoning regulations govern fence height, setback, and material requirements per municipal code adoption, with residential fence permits typically required for fences exceeding 4 to 6 feet in height and commercial or industrial fence projects requiring site plan review and zoning compliance verification.
What safety standards apply to these trades?
OSHA[7] construction safety standards under 29 CFR 1926 apply to all work, with trench safety for paver base and post hole excavation, fall protection for billboard erection, and confined space procedures for chimney work representing trade-specific safety requirements.
What is interlocking paver installation?
Interlocking pavers are manufactured concrete or clay units installed over a compacted aggregate base and sand setting bed per industry installation methods, with paver patterns, edge restraints, and joint sand creating a flexible pavement system used for patios, driveways, walkways, and commercial plazas.
What drives demand in this classification?
Residential outdoor living investment, commercial property improvement, and housing construction drive demand per Census Bureau[5] construction spending data, with fence installation, swimming pool building, and patio construction generating consistent activity in active housing markets.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [3]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [4]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [5]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [6]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [7]OSHA osha.gov
- [8]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [9]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [10]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [11]504 loans sba.gov
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