The Reputation and Trust Analytics (formerly T-Media) construction and engineering industry Trust&Reputation 2025 survey reveals that the overall reputation of the construction industry has started to improve after a sharp decline last year. The rise is driven by ESG factors that indicate the responsibility of companies' operations.
The Construction and Engineering Trust & Reputation 2025 survey examined the reputation of the above-mentioned sectors and the organizations operating in them among Finns. The survey was conducted in April–May 2025, and a total of 5,469 Finns responded to the questions.
The 2025 survey shows that the overall reputation of the construction industry has started to improve after the previous year's dip. In 2023, the industry's reputation score was 2,93, and in 2024 it was 2,84. This year's reputation score is 2,92; the overall reputation of the construction industry has therefore risen to almost the same level as it was in 2023.
Although the overall reputation of the construction industry remains at a weak level, it is already close to the moderate result limit, which is 3,00 in Reputation and Trust Analytics' five-level Trust&Reputation research model.
“The reputation of the construction industry has risen steadily throughout its measurement history, from 2017 until a significant dip in 2024. A particularly sharp decline was seen in the economic dimension, where reputation fell from a moderate level of 3,19 in 2023 to a weak level of 2,68,” says Senior Advisor at Reputation and Trust Analytics. Andrei Sergeyev.
"This year, the economic reputation index rose to 2,77. If the economic reputation had returned to its previous level or close to it, the overall reputation of the industry would have risen significantly more. Now the increase in overall reputation is explained by so-called ESG factors, which indicate environmental, social and governance responsibility," says Sergejeff.
"The economic crisis that has hit the construction industry in recent years has understandably hit hard, especially in terms of economic perceptions. With regard to ESG factors, it is gratifying to see how the long-term responsibility work carried out in the industry and the communication about it are gradually starting to bear fruit," says the Director of Communications and Responsibility at the Finnish Construction Industry Federation RT. Merja Vuoripuro.
The reputation of the governance, workplace and responsibility dimensions in the construction industry has increased relatively steadily throughout the measurement history. The workplace dimension remained at the same level from 2024 to 2025, while governance and responsibility scores continued to rise.
The reputation score for interaction increased from 2,85 last year to 2,94 now.
"The results of these reputation areas show that Finns see openness, transparency and correctness as having developed in a positive direction in the construction industry. Although these dimensions still remain at a weak level, the upward trend has been consistent, which indicates long-term work in managing responsibility," Sergejeff states.
“Now that construction is quiet, companies in the industry have a good opportunity to build ESG images and participate in the discussion on these themes. When construction picks up again, the most responsible employers will attract interest from all stakeholders, including potential employees,” Sergejeff estimates.
Reputation of individual companies higher than overall reputation
Although the overall reputation of the construction industry still remains at a low level, the most reputable construction companies in Finland are already close to the good reputation threshold of 3,50.
“All companies surveyed are in the moderate reputation range; none have a reputation score as low as the industry as a whole. And when perceptions of the industry’s companies’ finances return to a moderate level, the industry’s overall reputation will also rise – provided that the positive development in ESG perceptions and other areas of reputation continues,” says Andrei Sergejeff.
This is how it was studied
The aim of the Construction and Engineering Industry Trust & Reputation 2025 research round was to investigate the reputation of selected companies in the sector among citizens. The data collection for the study was carried out using an electronic questionnaire from 4 April to 6 May 2025.
The organizations were assessed using Reputation and Trust Analytics' (formerly T-Media) Trust&Reputation research model, in which the organization's reputation score is the average of eight different areas. The areas are corporate governance, finance, leadership, innovation, interaction, products & services, workplace and responsibility. The study used a five-point rating scale (1–5).
The study involved 5,469 Finns. The target group of the study was Finns aged 15–65 nationwide (excluding Åland). The sample was weighted to be representative of the population by gender, age and area of residence.
More information
Merja Vuoripuro
Director, Communications and Responsibility
merja.vuoripuro@rt.fi + 358 40 587 2642Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries (CFCI)
Andrei Sergeyev, Reputation and Trust Analytics, Senior Advisor, andrei.sergejeff@reptrust.com, tel. 050 303 0204