Trends come and go in every industry – and construction is no different. The innovations, findings, opinions, as well as recommendations from a variety of business touchstones in 2018 is shaping the future trajectory of construction in 2019. Here are some of the highlights you need to know:
# 1: Better Software Solutions
More and more small and medium-sized construction companies will be jumping onto the management-by-software bandwagon, and adopting the latest software solutions to accomplish everything from bidding and estimating, project management, scheduling, billing, accounting and human resources.
# 2: Green Consciousness
The construction industry accounts for more than 20% of global emissions. Therefore, going green is a primary concern in this sector. The concerted efforts to make construction projects more resource-efficient and environmentally conscious is going to increase this year. It will impact everything from planning, design, building, demolition and clean-up.
# 3: More Drone Applications
Unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with cameras can carry out a variety of functions in construction. For instance, they perform data collections, safety inspections, project progress reportage, etc. In 2019, we will see a lot more applications for drones on construction sites. They can gather information from remote, hard-to-reach locations, making work more efficient and job sites a whole lot safer.
# 4: Going Modular
Modular construction, prefabricated buildings that are constructed in factories, is the quickest way to develop residential areas without impacting the surrounding environment or being dependent on existing weather conditions. Plus, pre-planned design controls wastage of material, which makes the buildings cheaper too. This year, we expect to see an increasing popularity of modular buildings in both residential and commercial sectors.
# 5: More Safety in the Construction Industry
Accidents and fatalities at job sites have been increasing over the past few years, and 2019 is going to be a year when safety equipment for crews will be re-analyzed and upgraded with new technology in the construction industry. Smart boots, for example, have GPS devices to track workers, especially those performing jobs in remote or elevated locations.
