Spring and summer are the busiest times for construction, especially commercial construction. Contractors are typically booked and rentals for equipment are tight as construction companies try to squeeze in as much work as possible.
Construction and Jobsite Trends
To prepare you for the new year and the work you’ll likely be seeing, let’s look at the emerging trends in the industry:
- Construction Equipment Trends
- Safety Enhancements
- Integration of Technology in Construction
- Green Construction
- Modular and Prefabricated Construction
Construction Equipment Trends
One area in construction that has seen exciting advancements in recent years is construction equipment — vital tools for safe and efficient building. New accessories, like versatile attachments for your base equipment, will increase your use for every job and deliver the rapid ROI you need for your investment in machinery.
Automation upgrades and connected machines using sensors through the Internet of Things (IoT) can also increase equipment safety and reduce maintenance costs. The opportunities to enhance your equipment fleet and improve job results are there. Talk to your equipment supplier about the options before you invest in your next machine.
Safety Enhancements
With recent advancements in PPE technology and the use of technology on the jobsite, construction should be safer than ever.
Respirator technology offers better protection against chemicals and particulates, helmets offer more safety, and even gloves are more durable. Building Information Modeling provides more accurate planning and can flag potential dangers.
Before starting a job, review safety protocols and provide training to workers, especially in using new equipment and technology. These should make jobsites safer but shouldn't replace basic safety practices.
Integration of Technology in Construction
Technology has always played an important role in the construction industry. But, as the costs of technology decrease and its application increases on the jobsite, its use will only accelerate.
For example, drones have had a place in construction for more than a decade, especially for site photography. Today, more companies are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to better automate the use of drones. By incorporating 3D LIDAR scans, you can easily pull almost real-time data for sophisticated Building Information Modeling (BIM) that reduces waste and increases accuracy.
Don’t be afraid to embrace technology to lower costs and increase efficiency. Look at where you have challenges in your building processes and see how technology can help.
Green Construction
Green construction is connected to, but still different than, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and green buildings. Whereas LEED will focus on the building and designing efficient and healthier structures, green construction focuses on using more sustainable construction practices.
In the past, construction has been known to be wasteful. According to recent data, construction accounts for around 40% of all emissions worldwide and 34% of global energy consumption. That can have negative impacts on the environment and is a wasteful expense for the contractor and build team. Reducing those numbers will help increase the profitability of your work.
This season and in the future, expect your clients to demand more accountability for waste. They need, expect, and demand that builders use green construction techniques to reduce costs and waste. Get ahead of the demand by implementing techniques now, like increasing recycling practices or reducing energy use. Advertise your investment in green construction as a client advantage for the owner.
Modular and Prefabricated Construction
Prefabricated (prefab) and modular construction aren’t new. In fact, prefabricated homes were likely first advertised in the 1830s. Homes were built in one area and shipped and assembled in another. They were used extensively during the Gold Rush in the American West. Many Sears Catalog homes, a common prefab house in the past, are still in use.
Modular construction is a type of prefab construction using preplanned and then prebuilt “modules” that are assembled on-site. Think of individual “rooms” of a building that act as a module. The design is repeatable, and modules can easily be connected using similar techniques for each room. You can stack or connect the rooms quickly and efficiently for rapid, safer, and less expensive construction.
With current technology like 3D printers for construction, the increased difficulty in finding labor and workers, and the lower costs for modular construction, more businesses are looking at modular and prefabricated constructions, especially in areas like healthcare, education, and offices. Start building your portfolio of prefab work. This is not a trend you want to ignore.
Increase Efficiency and Construction Site Success
Like any industry, construction is always changing. New technologies, new competitors, and new client requests and needs will continue to pressure construction managers and build teams to adapt.
Don’t fall behind. Talk to the experts at each of our Leppo Rent locations about your questions. Plan improvements and investments with all the facts and information. Work with our team to see how we can help you improve. Our job is to stay ahead of the trends. We’re here to help so you can focus on building and your business.
