The construction industry has witnessed several new technologies and trends in the past decade. Commercial builders are utilizing innovative construction industry trends to complete their projects in smarter and more economical ways for greater success. Furthermore, by keeping up with these trends construction companies can prepare well for the future and stay ahead of their competitors.
As one of the best commercial general contracting companies in San Francisco, we are keenly observing the construction trends for the year 2024. We strive to evolve our services to ensure constant growth.
Let’s discover some of the emerging trends in 2024 that are going to dominate the construction industry.
1. Use of Construction Management Software
Though the construction industry is a little slow in adopting new trends, we can see many commercial general contractors using integrated construction project management software. Improving efficiency in projects, construction management software in 2024 can be used for automating project tasks like scheduling, coordinating jobs to subcontractors, tracking expenses, etc.
The project manager can become more productive and execute several projects in a short time using this construction industry trend. Some emerging construction management software include Procore, Buildertrend, Workflowmax, Buildtools, etc.
While selecting your Construction Management software, pay attention to the following vital features:
- Real-time updates
- User-friendly reporting tools
- Unlimited user accessibility
- Hosting through a secure cloud-based system
- Easy and secure file-sharing
- 24/7 Customer support
- Ability to track issues
- Gantt chart ability for easy task tracking
Latest construction project management software is becoming increasingly advanced which is why it is a popular construction trend.
2. Robotics and AI
Among the futuristic construction trends of 2024 are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics which are helping project managers accomplish project tasks with more efficient results. Robots can perform repetitive and time-consuming tasks while ensuring safety during hazardous jobs. For instance, using robotic arms can finish menial tasks like bricklaying, painting, rebar, and welding with high precision and zero errors.
Industry experts say the trend of Robotics and AI can save construction costs up to 20 to 30%.
AI-based robotic systems are taking over the construction industry in the following ways:
- Technologies like unmanned Aerial Vehicles, popularly called Drones, are now used to perform vital tasks like aerial surveys and measurements. These are useful in monitoring the progress of the project easily and safely.
- Industrial robots in construction can perform tasks like prefabrication, welding, material handling, and assembly of building components.
- Robotic exoskeletons can assist workers with heavy lifting.
- Autonomous vehicles can be deployed for material transportation, equipment shifting, and site logistics. This reduces human error and accident risks.
Increased use of Artificial Intelligence as a construction trend also translates into forecast models which enables project managers to determine timelines for worker safety. It is a powerful tool to interpret construction company’s data, use it for daily operations, and amp up their marketing efforts. Moreover, AI-based construction software can streamline workflows, track project components, and control the quality of work.
These construction trends which became a reality during the past decade, will be extensively used in 2024 by general contractors. The Boston Dynamics Construction Robot is a futuristic innovation that has the potential to revolutionize the building processes.
3. Green Technology
Energy efficiency is the most trending construction trend nowadays and more emphasis is given to making building systems greener and sustainable.
In efforts to decrease the burden on the environment, real estate developers are adopting many energy-efficient construction processes and technologies. Green technology will become a construction trend in 2024, representing businesses’ commitment to a sustainable world.
Some of the futuristic green technologies that can be used in the construction industry include:
- Zero energy home
- Use of smart appliances
- Electrochromatic smart glass for saving on HVAC costs
- Efficient use of solar power through active and passive solar energy systems
- Geothermal heating systems
- Use of biodegradable materials
- Green insulation
- Use of cool roofs etc
- Increased use of prefabricated modular structures
With the advancements in prefabrication and modular construction trends, it is now possible to complete any residential or commercial building in less time, waste generation, and reduced carbon footprint than traditional on-site methods.
4. Increased Use of Safety Equipment
Workplace safety has always been a challenge for construction managers. With the availability of many safety products and equipment, 2024 will see the trend of worker safety in the construction industry. Many elaborately designed safety equipment will improve workplace safety, drastically bringing down the number of accidents during the building process.
This helps the construction manager focus more on the safety of the workers and other stakeholders, reducing the overall cost and increasing the worksite’s safety record.
Some of the trending worksite safety equipment used on-site include:
- Exoskeletons designed to make the workers more comfortable with heavy equipment and carrying heavy loads
- Site sensors to detect and warn of exposing workers to harmful materials
- Safety applications to eliminate human error in the operation and maintenance of machines.
- Drones to survey the work site for potential hazards and to supervise workers, ensuring that they remain safe on the job.
- Using Virtual Reality (VR) for training in workplace safety by training workers on the right operating cranes, forklifts, excavators, etc., and to take safety precautions in an emergency.
- Wearable devices add safety to a worker with a device or clothing that keeps the worker safe during his working day.
Safety equipment is becoming more efficient and less expensive. It can be easily integrated into the ongoing building process undertaken by commercial construction firms without much of a learning curve. The construction trend of using safety equipment will help the project manager maintain a higher degree of safety for the workers and visitors on the job sites.
5. High-Efficiency Project Management Solutions
One of the prominent trends in the construction industry for the year 2024 and beyond will be the use of high-end project management solutions to handle large construction projects efficiently. Management applications like Procore, PlanHub, Revizto, Gantt Pro, and CoConstruct are popularly used by project managers today.
We will be using these customized solutions to standardize our construction products and processes so that they can be completed within the allotted schedule and budget. This construction trend will help in the process of more robust document management systems, subcontractor management, etc. It will result in efficient management of construction projects with no possibility of either time or cost overruns.
The emerging trends in the construction industry are going to boost the execution of each of the following stages in the project life cycle:
- Deciding on the market demands or perceived needs by a clear definition of project objectives and their scope
- Conducting conceptual planning and feasibility study by preparation of preliminary designs
- The undertaking of design and engineering of the project by the accurate definition of building plans and specifications
- Moving on to the procurement of materials and the construction
- Preparing the structure for occupancy and making the project owner accept the facility for use
- Operation and maintenance of the property by putting it to the intended use
6. Sustainable Construction Practices
Today, various construction processes yield high sustainability, improving project management for team success and profitability. According to the World Green Building Council, 40% of global carbon emissions are attributed to the construction and the energy to operate buildings.
So, integrating energy-efficient green technologies into construction has become a massive trend in the industry. It ensures a sustainable construction approach, focusing on environmental protection from planning to project execution.
The construction industry is going to opt for more sustainable construction trends in 2024 like:
- Prefabricating Materials in Controlled Environments for improved quality of buildings and less trash generation
- Construction Waste Management by reducing waste and recycling things within the site
- Managing the Site for Improved Environment by adopting the best practice approaches to treat water on-site and avoid having it flow into the local sewer system
- Lean Manufacturing to Reduce Energy by finding the wasteful activities and eliminating them
- Material Selection by selecting materials that are manufactured out of recycled products and those sourced from local sources.
Sustainability as a 2024 construction trend is making the world a better place with the stress on maintaining carbon-neutral footprints even in small projects. Sustainable work models and the rise of green building practices empower project managers to strategically plan and execute jobs. This results in lower energy costs for both constructing and operating future buildings.
7. Closing the Skills Gap
The construction industry is facing shortages of a variety of professionals without which construction projects get delayed and ultimately experience budget overruns. Hence, mitigating this labor shortage will become a construction industry trend in 2024.
Some real estate firms are tackling labor shortages by leveraging the trend of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation to create work efficiencies. However, the industry needs more educated workers to manage and interpret the data produced by new technology.
So, the sector is now recruiting women and underrepresented groups in various roles like design, project management, engineering, safety management, skilled trades, etc. New talent from Generation Z, too, is finding opportunities to showcase their potential. This shift in attitude towards recruitment of construction workers has paved the way for an inclusive workforce.
8. 3D Printing
In 2024, 3D printing will be a booming trend in the construction industry due to its cost efficiency, design flexibility, and minimal waste. 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, prints construction units or entire buildings layer-by-layer using a special printer. This 3D printer can create different building materials like concrete, polymer, metal, and composite.
A recent study by Research & Markets reveals that the 3D printing construction market will witness an 87.3% growth rate over the next 10 years.
9. Prefabrication and Modular Construction
Modular construction and prefabrication are shaping the future of the construction industry by being efficient, cost-effective alternatives to traditional on-site construction.
Modular Construction
This is one of the construction trends that will be rapidly growing in 2024 and beyond. Modular construction entails manufacturing structural units off-site in a controlled factory environment, later transporting them to the building site for assembly. It leads to faster project delivery and reduces transportation-related carbon footprint.
For example, the 55 modular residential units of My Micro located in Manhattan, New York were prefabricated off-site to speed up the construction process.
Modular construction involves constructing at least 60 to 90% of the structure off-site. Amidst a shortage of skilled labor and hiked material costs in the construction industry, modular construction helps to streamline processes. Experts predict the modular construction market to reach worth $120.4 billion by 2027.
Prefabrication
A part of modular construction, prefabrication is where components such as framing, wall panels, and floor systems are built off-site and then integrated into the main structure. Prefab structures offer the benefits of faster turnaround times and standardized builds. Hence, top international builders plan to reduce their on-site construction activity to just 25% by 2025.
This construction trend allows for greater precision and quality control. It also lowers labor costs and environmental pollution. For example, to protect the surrounding natural environment, the De Oostvaarders in the Netherlands is constructed using prefab wooden walls and floors.
Both these off-site construction trends are resolving issues related to space constraints in urban areas. Besides, they can be faster, more sustainable, and more effective for worker safety.
10. Drones
The use of drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is an emerging construction industry trend. On the job site, drone use has skyrocketed by 239% year over year. Contractors employ drones equipped with cameras for site surveying and mapping, which provides accurate data for project management.
Drones ensure on-site safety by accessing remote areas like roofs and bridges, especially during emergency response situations. Some drones are designed to deliver lightweight materials to construction sites which minimizes traffic congestion.
Additionally, drones and UAVs can be used in 2024 to create 3D models of construction sites, detect building inefficiencies, and gain real-time surveillance of worksites.
11. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
Revolutionary construction trends like Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed-Reality technology are enabling critical data collection for project efficiency.
Augmented Reality (AR)
Devices equipped with AR can optimize the perception of the construction site with unique information. For example, contractors can point their AR tool towards a structural column to view that building’s blueprints.
AR provides builders with 3D visualizations of building projects, architectural simulations, automated building measurements, as well as safety or hazard training simulations.
Clients can take advantage of AR visualization technology for project staging before or during the project. They can view tangible images of the finished structure in the pre-construction stage itself. In a way, this construction technology trend aids project stakeholders in making better-informed decisions and improving overall efficiency.
Virtual Reality (VR)
In VR simulations, the environment is computer-generated with which construction professionals can interact. VR technology trends can prove to be extremely useful in safety training. Workers can safely learn to operate specialized machinery and train for challenging situations in a controlled environment.
Moreover, by interacting with VR models of buildings, designers and contractors can swiftly evaluate modifications without the need for major reworks. They can inspect every design element in a realistic 3D environment and identify potential issues. It minimizes the need for frequent site visits and extensive blueprints.
The construction trends of AR and VR can transform the construction industry with remote control. For example, an operator sitting in Las Vegas can control a bulldozer in a construction site located in San Francisco using AR, reducing the need for on-site personnel.
12. Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Though not a new technology, this construction technology trend has reshaped the industry and is here to stay. Building Information Modeling (BIM) uses 3D models to create digital representations of the building’s physical and functional characteristics.
BIM models enable engineers, architects, and builders to collaborate on a project, reducing the likelihood of mistakes. Companies can manage facilities and infrastructure with accuracy, one of the reasons behind the construction trend’s neverending popularity.
Ariel Castillo, Innovation Director at Miller-Davis Company anticipates increased collaboration among stakeholders in 2024, facilitating utilization of BIM alongside prefabrication and modular construction.
Integrating AI or machine learning with BIM’s rich data in the future will allow building contractors to analyze information like never before and make smarter decisions that go beyond the design.
13. Addressing Rising Material Prices
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, costs of about 82.5% of construction materials experienced a significant increase in the United States. Therefore, the construction industry trend for 2024 will be contracting companies addressing these price hikes.
As the industry turns towards green and modular building, general contractors are using innovative materials to reduce costs and promote sustainability. Some of the affordable and eco-friendly materials include:
- 3D-printed concrete and basalt
- Biological construction materials (self-healing concrete, mycelium composites, bioplastics, and bio-foam)
- Green insulation materials (natural wool, cotton, and cellulose)
- Advanced building materials (aerogel, graphene, carbon composites, hydroceramics, and nanomaterials)
- Recycled glass, plastic, metal, concrete
- Bamboo, transparent woods, engineered wood, cross-laminated wood
- Aluminum foam
These innovative materials may scale up the initial project costs but promise significant cost savings in the future. Also, companies are leveraging technologies like drones, AR, and BIM to manage project size and the pressure of rising material prices.
Conclusion
These are only some of the trends that are going to shape the future of the construction industry and the way the buildings were built in the past. These modern technology trends and methods will allow the project manager and all those connected with the project to execute the project with more efficiency and high safety at a very low cost. It is time for contractors and project owners to adopt these innovations to enhance their project’s overall success.
Contact our team at Constructive Solutions, Inc. to discuss your commercial construction project.
FAQs
What are the other emerging construction trends for 2024?
Connected construction sites, smart IoT cities, mobile technology, and zero-net energy buildings are some of the upcoming trends in the construction industry.
What are the best technology trends construction firms can follow?
Advanced building technologies like 5D BIM tools, AR wearable devices, cloud-based solutions, smart contracts, and blockchain technology are some interesting trends builders can adopt in their projects.
How can modern methods of construction (MMC) help commercial builders and owners?
MMC like precast foundations, concrete formwork insulation (ICF), twin wall technology, 3D printing, etc. help to enhance the timeline, quality, and sustainability of a project. These modern methods of construction allow for greater design flexibility and generate less waste.
Relevant Resources:
Tips For Choosing The Right General Contractor In San Francisco For Your Commercial Property
Tips for Selecting the Right Commercial General Contractor In San Francisco? – Part 2
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