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5 Construction Trends to Watch in 2020

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Every year comes with new predictions for what each industry holds — things that will be added, dropped and invented to not only help us keep up with the pace of the world but also to help us stay competitive and proactive.

As we look toward the future of construction, we’ve noticed that a lot of predicted trends have a common denominator: efficiency. These are the tools and changes you should know about going into 2020 and how they could help our industry become more productive.

1. Project Management Platforms

One of the best ways to cut down on wasted time is to stay organized from the start. And the growing number of project management software options available is helping development companies keep track of the different moving parts of their work. It also helps contractors that they hire get paid accurately and on time by making estimating and billing easier. These platforms can also help streamline project communication, arrange and file documentation and show real-time progress of a project so there’s more accountability. Some can even help you organize everyone’s schedules and view different charts and visualizations of a project for better planning and reporting.

2. Building Information Modeling

Along the same vein as staying organized is planning. And BIM helps those working on the project visualize its different components so they know how much material they’ll need and can better prepare to execute their role. BIM essentially creates a 3D computerized model of the project so everyone involved can see how their work fits into the larger picture so they problem solve and adjust before they start building. It can also help support prefabricated and modular construction. All together, BIM can help save time troubleshooting in the middle of a project — which increases labor costs — and money spent on extra materials.

3. Prefabricated and Modular Construction

Sometimes increasing efficiency means making substantial changes to the way things are done. And in 2020 and beyond, prefabricated and modular construction are expected to grow because they play a significant role in speeding up construction. Here’s how it works: Instead of shipping individual parts to the jobsite to be constructed there, modular construction builds bigger pieces offsite then ships those modules to the construction location for a quicker building process. This lowers the cost of construction by reducing less efficient onsite labor.

4. The Labor Shortage

The shortage of skilled labor is nothing new, but it will continue to be a focus in the construction industry. When you don’t have enough qualified people to do the job you need them to, it can be difficult to complete the job by a project deadline or simply complete a job well. And that could cost you future opportunities. While the industry is making an effort to educate people about the benefits of entering a skilled trade in order to fill that gap, part of the solution will also include embracing innovative products that help current professionals get the job done more quickly in the meantime. And that will require that they adopt new technologies too.

5. Automated Technology

While it may seem counterintuitive to introduce automated tech and AI into a field where there’s already a shortage of qualified workers, this solution won’t replace human labor. Instead, it could actually help offset the burden of the labor shortage by taking care of tedious parts of the job, which in turn would increase productivity and speed up construction. Right now, automated tech performs tasks such as demolition, drilling, cleaning and taking photos of the job site to document progress.

6. Using Better Construction Products

This emphasis on executing projects quickly also challenges — and perhaps requires — professionals to let go of years-old processes or outdated products that slow them down. That may mean that they stop using time-consuming and dangerous inflatable rubber test balls and instead use the safer, more efficient TestRite solution for DWV testing. Or it could mean they start saving time by swapping out makeshift pipe support methods for an engineered solution. HoldRite’s mission is to constantly provide innovative solutions to solve contractor problems, generate new revenue streams for distribution and provide superior engineered building projects without increasing a project’s “total installed cost.” Discover how you can increase efficiency simply by using products that empower you to work smarter.