NAICS 238190

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the U.S. standard for grouping business establishments so agencies can collect, analyze, and publish economic statistics. Created by the Office of Management and Budget with partners in Canada and Mexico, NAICS replaced the SIC system in 1997 and is updated every five years; the current U.S. vintage is 2022. ¹

NAICS 238190 covers specialty trade contractors primarily engaged in foundation, structure, and building exterior work not elsewhere classified—excluding poured concrete, structural steel/precast, framing, masonry, glass and glazing, roofing, and siding. Work may involve new construction, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. Illustrative examples include installing metal curtain walls, erecting and dismantling concrete forms, on-site welding, ornamental/wrought-iron installation, fire-escape installation, and applying epoxy to concrete flooring. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 238160
• G2X — NAICS 238120

What this NAICS covers

• Installation of metal curtain wall systems on building exteriors. ²
• Erecting and dismantling forms for poured concrete (formwork contractors). ²
• On-site welding services for building foundations/structures. ²
• Installation of ornamental metal, decorative steel, and wrought-iron features. ²
• Fire-escape fabrication and installation attached to structures. ²
• Application of epoxy to concrete flooring as part of structural/exterior work. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Key exclusions and cross-references

• Poured concrete foundation and structural concrete work is classified under 238110. ²
• Installation of structural steel or precast concrete building components is 238120. ²
• Building framing is 238130; masonry is 238140. ²
• Glass and glazing is 238150; roofing is 238160; siding is 238170. ²
• Building fireproofing is classified with drywall and insulation under 238310. ²

Frequently asked questions

• What exactly falls under 238190? The industry covers building foundation/structural and exterior specialty trades not otherwise classified, including metal curtain walls, on-site welding, ornamental/wrought-iron work, fire-escape installation, concrete formwork erection/dismantling, and epoxy application to concrete floors. Work may be new construction, additions, alterations, maintenance, or repairs. ²

• How does 238190 differ from related specialty trades? It excludes poured concrete (238110), structural steel/precast (238120), framing (238130), masonry (238140), glass/glazing (238150), roofing (238160), siding (238170), and building fireproofing (238310). ²

• What is the SBA small business size standard for 238190? The Small Business Administration sets the size standard at $19.0 million in average annual receipts (effective March 17, 2023) for 238190 and most other 2381 industry codes. Always confirm the latest table before proposing. ³

• Which PSCs commonly appear with construction or maintenance work aligned to 238190? Real property codes in the Y (construction) and Z (maintenance/repair/alteration) series are typical—for example Y1JZ, Z1AA, and Z2AA. These denote the facility type and lifecycle activity, not the trade itself. ⁴

• Does 238190 apply to both new construction and repair projects? Yes. The NAICS manual specifies the work may include new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs; it does not limit applicability by building type or ownership. ²

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 238190 overview
• U.S. Census Bureau NAICS main page and 2022 vintage access. ¹
• 2022 NAICS Manual (official industry definitions and examples). ²
• SBA Table of Small Business Size Standards (current thresholds by NAICS). ³
• Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual (construction/maintenance Y and Z series). ⁴

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) main page: https://www.census.gov/naics
2. U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 NAICS Manual (industry 238190 and cross-references): https://www.census.gov/naics/reference_files_tools/2022_NAICS_Manual.pdf
3. U.S. Small Business Administration — Table of Small Business Size Standards (effective March 17, 2023): https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/Table%20of%20Size%20Standards_Effective%20March%2017%2C%202023%20%282%29.pdf
4. General Services Administration — Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual, April 2025: https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf