As of the first quarter of 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there are over 768,000 construction companies currently operating in the private industry in America.  There are also countless more that have come and gone.  According to Statistic Brain, only 47% of construction startup businesses are still operating after year 4. Personally, I've seen many people break off from a construction company and create their own business; some are still in operation, others have failed.