Variant of NAICS 1997 - Labour Force Survey (LFS) Industries

1 - Goods-Producing Sector

5 - Construction

23 - Construction

This sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in constructing, repairing and renovating buildings and engineering works, and in subdividing and developing land. These establishments may operate on their own account or under contract to other establishments. They may produce complete projects or just parts of projects. Establishments often subcontract some or all of the work involved in a project. Establishments may produce new construction, or undertake repairs and renovations to existing structures.

A construction establishment may be the only establishment of an enterprise, or one of several establishments of an integrated real estate enterprise engaged in the land assembly, development, financing, building and sale of large projects.

Establishments classified in this sector are known by a variety of trade designations depending on the scope of the projects they undertake, the degree of responsibility and risk that they assume, and the type of structure that they produce. Prime contractors are primarily engaged in the construction of complete works, while trade contractors primarily undertake a component of a project, under contract to a prime contractor or a principal.

There are two main types of construction produced - buildings and engineering works. Buildings are distinguished by their primary function, such as residential, commercial and industrial. Engineering works include dams; non-building industrial works such as refineries; highways, roads and streets; bridges; sewers; power and communications transmission lines; and similar structures and works.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • manufacturing and installing building equipment, such as power boilers; manufacturing pre-fabricated buildings(31-33)
  • operating highways, streets and bridges(48-49)
  • project management (See 56 Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services)

232 - Trade Contracting

This subsector comprises establishments engaged in one aspect common to different structures, requiring specialized skills or equipment. They are known as trade contractors, and are classified by the specific component they contribute to the total structure or work. Trade contractors normally supply their specialized service under contract to a general contractor. In repair construction, and to a lesser degree in new construction, trade contractors, included in this subsector, may be engaged as "prime contractors", or jobbers, dealing directly with the principals involved.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • providing specialized services of a type related to engineering construction, and not normally performed on buildings or building-related projects (See 2313 Engineering Construction)

2324 - Building Interior Finishing Work

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in finishing building interiors. This work generally involves covering the interior structure with various materials.

23241 - Drywall and Plaster Work

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in drywall installation, including related taping of joints, sanding and other finishing, or in applying plain or ornamental plaster, including the installation of lathing or other fixtures to receive plaster.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • applying stucco (See 23231 Masonry Work)

23242 - Terrazzo and Tile Work

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in setting and installing ceramic tile, marble, granite, slate and mosaic, and in mixing marble particles and cement for poured-in-place terrazzo at the site of construction.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • manufacturing precast terrazzo steps, benches and other terrazzo articles (See 32739 Other Concrete Product Manufacturing)

23243 - Carpet and Resilient Flooring Work

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in installing and repairing resilient flooring, carpeting and underlay.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • laying ceramic floor tile (See 23242 Terrazzo and Tile Work)

23244 - Insulation Work

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in weather-proofing exterior wall cavities and roof attic spaces, by installing various insulating materials.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • installing insulated foundation systems (See 23221 Forming Work)
  • installing rigid foam insulation as an incidental activity of sealing and coating foundations (See 23229 Other Building Structure Work)
  • insulating pipes and duct runs (See 23259 Other Building Equipment Installation)

23245 - Building Painting and Paperhanging Work

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in painting, paperhanging and decorating in buildings and painting heavy (engineering) structures. Paint or paper stripping, including sandblasting, is included in this industry, because it is usually an incidental part of these activities.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • painting lines on roadways and parking lots (See 23131 Highway, Street and Bridge Construction)
  • stripping furniture (See 81142 Reupholstery and Furniture Repair)

23246 - Finish Carpentry and Wood Flooring Work

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in finish carpentry and installing wood flooring, including related floor sanding and other finishing. Some important finish carpentry activities are on-site cabinetwork, millwork installation, and prefabricated sash and door installation.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • laying resilient flooring (See 23243 Carpet and Resilient Flooring Work)

23249 - Other Building Interior Finishing Work

This industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other industry, primarily engaged in building interior finishing work, such as bathtub refinishing and installing drapery hardware, window shades and blinds.