Weekly Briefing: April 10, 2026
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Week of April 6, 2026
Restructured Tariffs Take Effect and Create Tiered Cost Pressure Across Construction Materials
The Trump administration's latest Section 232 adjustment, announced April 2 and effective April 6, establishes a tiered tariff structure: 50% on goods made almost entirely of steel, aluminum, or copper; 25% on derivative goods substantially made of those metals; and lower rates on certain electrical grid equipment through 2027.
Contractors report that the on-the-ground impact will vary significantly by building type and material mix. DPR Construction's supply chain leader noted that some materials may see little to no price change while others face clear increases, and that pricing uncertainty — not just the tariff rate — is the primary challenge for firms writing bids today.
Industry opinions differ on the severity of the impact. Some argue that because steel framing accounts for only 8–9% of a typical commercial building's total cost, the impact on budgets even if prices rise is limited. However, construction reliance on distributors and bundled procurement makes it difficult to apply cost-reduction provisions, leaving contractors more directly exposed to tariff-driven cost increases than other sectors.
The Iran conflict threatens to compound the pressure. The Middle East is a key source of aluminum and sulfur inputs, and ongoing disruptions are already extending delivery timelines and increasing freight costs — reinforcing the need for proactive supply chain planning and robust material escalation clauses, particularly on longer-duration projects.
Build America, Buy America Act Creates Bottleneck for Affordable Housing Development Nationwide
The Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), signed as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, requires that nearly every component in federally funded affordable housing projects be produced in the United States. Developers report that commonly used products are still manufactured overseas, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) waiver approval process has been at a near standstill with delays reaching six months amid significant staff reductions.
The compliance burden is adding significant cost to active projects. One Denver developer spent over $60,000 on a consultant to verify American-made materials for an 85-unit building, submitting waivers to HUD in November for roughly 125 materials that still haven't been approved. A Vermont developer cited estimates of $150,000 in added costs for iron and steel verification alone on a single project.
Some developers are scaling back or restructuring projects to avoid triggering BABA altogether. One Maine-based developer said, "We've sort of resigned ourselves that we're just gonna build less units across the entire country during a housing crisis." Housing advocates note that the requirements were introduced before domestic supply chains could realistically respond.
BABA applies to all infrastructure projects funded by federal agencies, not just affordable housing. For A/E firms working on any project with federal dollars, BABA compliance is increasingly a factor in project scheduling, specification, and feasibility — and without faster HUD approvals or temporary flexibility, the near-term result is likely fewer project starts during a period of historic demand.
April 8, 2026
EFCG, through its registered broker-dealer affiliate EFCG Transaction Services LLC, is pleased to share that our client, Consertus, Inc. (Consertus), a portfolio company of RTC Partners, announced that Airosmith, Inc. dba Airosmith Development (Airosmith), a Saratoga Springs, New York–based provider of pre-construction solutions for wireless, fiber, and renewable energy infrastructure, has joined the Consertus family. The acquisition adds 105 infrastructure development professionals with deep expertise in wireless, fiber, engineering and utility programs, significantly expanding Consertus’ telecommunications capabilities.
The acquisition of Airosmith strengthens Consertus’ position in high-growth infrastructure sectors, particularly as demand accelerates for network capacity, fiber expansion, and renewable energy development. “Airosmith is an outstanding addition to Consertus,” said Roy Block, CEO of Consertus. “Their expertise in wireless and fiber infrastructure advances our ability to deliver integrated solutions at scale. We’re excited to welcome their team and grow together.”
EFCG served as advisor to Consertus on the transaction.
April 1, 2026
Spheros Environmental (Spheros), a Colorado-based environmental consulting firm providing science-forward solutions across environmental disciplines, backed by Union Park Capital, has acquired KP Environmental, a California-based consulting firm specializing in environmental and natural resource planning, impact analysis, permitting and regulatory strategy, compliance, and stakeholder engagement for complex infrastructure and development projects. This acquisition enhances Spheros’ environmental review and regulatory coordination capabilities, deepens its presence in the western U.S., and marks its ninth acquisition as it continues to expand and strengthen its interdisciplinary environmental consulting firm. Andra Kidd, CEO of Spheros Environmental, said, “Their team has built a strong reputation for managing complex environmental review processes and supporting power, data centers, and energy transition projects through challenging permitting and construction compliance. That experience strengthens our ability to provide integrated environmental expertise from early project planning through implementation.”
April 1, 2026
Corgan, a Texas-based architecture and design firm, has acquired FOX Architects, a Washington, D.C.-based design practice. This strategic move strengthens Corgan’s presence in the D.C. region by adding FOX Architects’ strong reputation, client relationships, and local expertise to the foundation Corgan established when it opened its office there in 2024. “Washington, D.C., has been a priority market for Corgan, and this step allows us to accelerate the growth already underway,” commented Scott Ruch, Chief Executive Officer at Corgan. “FOX Architects brings leadership in the region, strong client relationships, and a talented team that shares our collaborative approach and focus on client service. Together, we are strengthening our presence in D.C. and advancing design that contributes meaningfully to the capital’s evolving civic, cultural and business landscape.”
April 3, 2026
ISG, a Minnesota-based full-service architecture and engineering firm, has acquired ARC International, a South Dakota-based architecture firm, with expertise in place-sensitive design. This strategic acquisition deepens ISG’s presence in South Dakota, expands its architecture team, and enhances the firm’s ability to serve communities across the state. “Adding ARC International strengthens how we serve South Dakota,” stated Lynn Bruns, CEO of ISG. “This addition expands our capacity to deliver the responsiveness and quality our clients expect across South Dakota.”
April 7, 2026
Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC), an Alabama-based architecture and engineering firm, has acquired Wiregrass Archaeological Consulting, an Alabama-based cultural resources consulting firm that provides services throughout the Southeast. This acquisition broadens GMC’s service offerings, enhances its environmental capabilities, and expands its office footprint in the Southeast. “The ability to conduct cultural resource assessments in-house is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” commented Jof Mehaffey, GMC Executive Vice President of Environmental. “Not only am I excited for us to be able to serve our clients more efficiently and consistently, but also to work alongside Justin and his team on a day-to-day basis. I truly believe they’re some of the best in their field, and we look forward to growing our cultural resource services throughout the GMC footprint.”
April 9, 2026
SLR, a UK-based global environmental and advisory consultancy, backed by Ares Management, has acquired Planetrics, a UK-based climate modelling business, from McKinsey & Company. This acquisition brings together SLR’s sustainability expertise and Planetrics’ advanced climate scenario analytics, enabling the combined firm to deliver high-value solutions to clients and provide a more complete view of climate risks and opportunities. Following the transaction, McKinsey, Planetrics, and SLR will continue collaborating to help clients address critical sustainability challenges. Bradley Andrews, CEO of SLR, said, “Planetrics joining SLR marks a significant step change in the evolution of our digital services. This acquisition accelerates our ambition to deliver smarter, more integrated solutions across every sector we serve. I look forward to building our alliance with McKinsey and enabling clients to navigate the transition to a more resilient, sustainable future.”
In celebration of its 70th anniversary, HOK launched its "26/70 Initiative," challenging each of its 26 global studios to donate at least 70 hours of community service in 2025. Employees tripled that target, collectively contributing 5,692 volunteer hours and over $125,000 to local nonprofits and community organizations. Activities spanned pro bono design work for youth centers in Philadelphia and neighborhood revitalization in St. Louis, ACE Mentor Program workshops in New York, wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles, and home repairs on MLK Day of Service in Atlanta.
The EFCG Weekly Briefing summarizes the week’s key news in the AEC industry, including M&A updates, and micro- and macro-trends, aggregated from industry-focused and global news sources.
To send any additional press releases or news from your firm that you would like us to share please email Clay Han at chan@efcg.com.
