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US home buildersThe construction industry is divided into three major segments. Construction of buildings contractors, or general contractors, build residential, industrial, commercial, and other buildings. Heavy and civil engineering construction contractors build sewers, roads, highways, bridges, tunnels, and other projects. Specialty trade contractors are engaged in specialized activities such as carpentry, painting, plumbing, and electrical work. Construction usually is done or coordinated by general contractors, who specialize in one type of construction such as residential or commercial building. They take full responsibility for the complete job, except for specified portions of the work that may be omitted from the general contract. Although general contractors may do a portion of the work with their own crews, they often subcontract most of the work to heavy construction or specialty trade contractors. The industries within this sector have been defined on the basis of their unique production processes. As with all industries, the production processes are distinguished by their use of specialized human resources and specialized physical capital. Construction activities are generally administered or managed at a relatively fixed place of business, but the actual construction work is performed at one or more different project sites. Employment in the construction industry is distributed geographically in much the same way as the Nation's population; the concentration of employment is generally in industrialized and heavily populated areas. Most employees in this industry work full time, and many work over 40 hours a week. Construction workers may sometimes work evenings, weekends, and holidays to finish a job or take care of an emergency. Workers in this industry need physical stamina because the work frequently requires prolonged standing, bending, stooping, and working in cramped quarters. They also may be required to lift and carry heavy objects. Exposure to weather is common because much of the work is done outside or in partially enclosed structures. Construction workers often work with potentially dangerous tools and equipment amidst a clutter of building materials; some work on temporary scaffolding or at great heights and in bad weather. Consequently, they are more prone to injuries than are workers in other jobs. Construction is one of the largest industry in the United States of America. Current employment statistic of the U.S. Department of Labor estimates show total annual average employment in construction rising from 5,095,000 in 1994 to a high of 6,826,000 in 2001. According to the U.S. Department of Labor there were about 792,000 construction companies in the United States in 2002: 237,000 were building construction contractors; 60,000 were heavy and civil engineering construction or highway contractors; and 496,000 were specialty trade contractors. The number of wage and salary jobs in the construction industry is expected to grow about 15 percent through the year 2012, compared with the 16 percent projected for all industries combined. The top 10 U. S. construction companies of 2003 list looks like (the number in brackets means the rating position in 2002):
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