After several years of volatility, the Polish construction market is entering a stage of mature investment decisions. According to data from Statistics Poland (GUS) and analyses by PMR Market Experts, the value of the construction market in Poland returned to a growth path in 2024–2025, but investors are increasingly limiting risk by selecting projects and partners selectively. Rising energy costs, ESG regulatory pressure and a shortage of skilled staff mean that sheer volume of delivery is no longer the most important thing. In 2026, the advantage among general contractors will be decided by the ability to manage risk, design for cost efficiency and take responsibility for the whole life cycle of a facility.
After years of turbulence – the pandemic, sharp rises in material and energy prices, broken supply chains and growing regulatory pressure – Polish construction is entering a phase of stabilisation. Statistics Poland (GUS) data show that construction and assembly output began to rebound in 2024, and forecasts for 2025–2026 assume moderate growth, driven mainly by infrastructure, industrial and warehouse facilities, and public investments financed from EU funds and the National Recovery Plan (KPO).
At the same time, reports by advisory firms (including JLL, CBRE, Savills) show that investors are increasingly postponing low-margin projects and those with high cost risk. In practice, this means greater selectivity in choosing general contractors and greater weight given to experience, operational stability, and the ability to control budget and schedule.
The general contractor as a partner, not just an executor
– 2026 will not be a time of easy wins, at least not for everyone. The winners will be those general contractors who can combine design, construction, energy and service competences into one coherent value proposition for the investor – stresses Dominik Działak, President of the Management Board of GRUPA KDM. – Clients today expect not only efficient delivery, but an answer to the question of how the facility will function and how much it will cost over the following years.
This is a clear change from the model of a few years ago, when the key criterion for choosing a contractor was the price of the investment and the availability of capacity. Increasingly, the general contractor is involved in the process already at the concept and analysis stage. BIM tools, digital reporting of progress and real-time cost monitoring are becoming standard – especially in public projects and those co-financed from EU funds. Investors expect transparency, formal compliance and predictability, rather than reactive firefighting.
A growing share of specialist projects
Projects with a high degree of technological complexity, for example laboratories, medical facilities, research and development centres or production plants with restrictive environmental requirements, are gaining importance. Market data show that the share of industrial and specialist facilities in general contractors' order books is steadily growing, and some firms have withdrawn entirely from simple projects in favour of niches requiring high engineering competence. GRUPA KDM is also heading in this direction.
– In this type of project, a mistake does not mean only a delay. It can block the investor's operations or expose them to regulatory risk – says Waldemar Lipiec, Vice-President of the Management Board at GRUPA KDM. – That is why we work in the design & build model, in which design, construction and service are closely integrated.
An important area of specialist projects that is gaining significance is also projects related to the conservation and adaptation of historic buildings. Investments of this type require from the general contractor not only high technical competence, but also experience in navigating a complex formal and legal environment, working under conservation supervision, and the ability to combine modern standards of use with protecting the history of the building.
Modern halls and warehouses
Poland remains one of the key logistics hubs in Europe. According to Savills' report “Warehouse and Industrial Market in Poland Q3 2025” the current stock of modern warehouse space has exceeded 34 million m². At the same time, the standard of facilities is rising quickly. Automation, robotics and ESG compliance mean that the design and delivery of halls increasingly resembles high-tech investments.
– For industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals or FMCG, a production hall is today a technological system, and its correct design and construction determine the investor's business security – stresses Paweł Bachorz, Vice-President of the Management Board at GRUPA KDM.
Energy and ESG regulations also play a major role in the investment process. According to Eurostat, industry accounts for 25% of final energy consumption in the EU. As a result, investors increasingly expect general contractors to provide simulations of operating costs and alternative energy scenarios. Less and less often is only the construction cost here and now compared – more often a horizon of several or a dozen or so years of use of the facility is analysed.
Staff and project security
For years, construction has been among the industries most affected by labour shortages. European Commission data from recent years point to a shortage of engineers, HVAC specialists and skilled crews. As many as 72% of Polish construction companies cite a lack of workers as the main production barrier – more than twice the EU average for the construction sector. In 2026, the ability to deliver projects will depend directly on HR policy, safety culture and employment stability.
– HR in construction has stopped being a supporting function and has become an integral part of operational strategy. In practice this means investing in occupational safety, clear rules of cooperation, the development of technical competences and the long-term building of relationships with teams in the field – stresses Monika Kowalczyk, Management Board Plenipotentiary of GRUPA KDM.
Grupa KDM's perspective
Grupa KDM closed 2025 as a period of intensive scaling of specialist projects and strengthening of end-to-end responsibility. The investments completed included the construction works for the laboratory building of VIPHARM in Ożarów Mazowiecki, the Water Treatment Plant in Tuszyma with photovoltaic infrastructure, a biogas plant for SGGW and the revitalisation of the historic railway station in Grójec. At the same time, new contracts were launched, including the ZDM tenement house at ul. Stalowa 34 in Warsaw, works at the Clinical Hospital in Zabrze (SUM), the construction of the PIP headquarters in Łódź and the modernisation of the Łukasiewicz laboratories in Warsaw.
2025 also brought dynamic growth of service activities nationwide and the company passing the threshold of 100 employees. And in the very first week of January 2026, another 10 specialists joined the team, strengthening operational readiness for the new year. The quality of the organisation was also confirmed by an award – the Management Board of GRUPA KDM received the Construction Creator 2025 title.
– In 2026 there will be no room for contractors who simply build. Investors expect dialogue, transparency and real support in decision-making. This is the direction in which we are consistently developing Grupa KDM – sums up Jakub Kowalczyk, Vice-President of the Management Board of GRUPA KDM.
