It would be safe to say that the construction industry is as old as the civilization itself. Over the course of millennia, it has constantly evolved, which is something that can be observed through the use of new materials, architectural styles and construction practices. Nowadays, with the unprecedented rate of technological advancement, things are moving faster than ever before. The use of new materials, devices and tech trends can do more than just increase the efficiency and lower costs. It could change the face of the construction business as we know it. Here are several such changes coming to the construction industry in the nearest future.
Green materials
Before we even start, you need to keep in mind that there’s an ever-growing need for green materials and green construction practices. Due to its great requirements for construction materials, both these materials and industries that produce them tend to contribute to the pollution, rather than helping fight it. This is why there’s currently a much greater need for green construction materials. Technologies for manufacturing traditional eco-friendly materials are getting perfected, whereas there are new materials getting patented and developed every single day.
Use of AR and VR
When it comes to planning a construction, the more immersion you get, the better (from the architectural standpoint). However, this can benefit the real estate industry as well, seeing as how it can give potential buyers an opportunity to see what the project will look like upon completion. This will create a scenario in which the risk of investment is substantially smaller since the chance of finding reliable buyers even before the project is completed will be a lot bigger. As for the AR, it will make the implementation of last-minute changes at the site much simpler.
Greater emphasis on safety
Make no mistake, when it comes to protection of employee rights and the overall workplace safety, global trends are always heading in the right direction. In the construction industry, this is incredibly important, seeing as how it’s one of the fields with the highest risk of injury. This is due to the fact that you’ll most likely work with hazardous materials, dangerous equipment and on great heights. For this reason, you can’t afford to buy low-quality equipment, especially if it’s something pivotal to your operations. Instead, look for reliable agencies to buy or rent scaffolding and the rest of the equipment from.
The greater cost of materials
Another thing you need to bear in mind is the fact that material cost seems to be growing each year, and it’s a trend that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere in the future. Now, instead of skimming on materials, which would be a serious safety violation, as well as an unethical practice, you can do two things. First, you could go for a reliable BIM software in order to get a more accurate estimate of the materials needed. Second, you could invest more in material-handling equipment and employee training in order to reduce the number of wasted and mishandled materials.
Decreased labor force
The next thing you should understand is the fact that the number of millennials willing to work in the construction industry really isn’t that great. Fortunately, with the right approach, you can attract them in far greater numbers. This would, nonetheless, require you to restructure your reward system, give them regular feedback and provide them with learning opportunities. Increased use of technology in this field will also make a huge difference in your favor and make working for you look like a more rewarding experience.
3D printing
The very last thing you need to consider is the fact that 3D printing might revolutionize the construction industry as we know it. We’ve all seen devices that can build entire houses in less than 24 hours, yet, this isn’t all that they’re capable of. Sometimes, being able to manufacture a complex element on-spot instead of having to wait for it to be built can be time, effort and resource-saving. Sure, at the moment not a lot of construction businesses (especially smaller ones) are using this amazing device. Nonetheless, as technology improves, this might become an industry standard.
Conclusion
Some of these trends aren’t construction industry-exclusive, yet, this is where they’ll make the greatest difference. As we suggested, the decreased labor force and increased material costs will require some creative solutions, yet, with the use of these digital trends (BIM, VR, AR) and latest devices (3D printer, etc.), you might be able to handle this quite efficiently. Keeping up with all the latest changes is the only way for a business in an oversaturated industry to remain competitive.
