In 2024, the construction industry is expected to undergo big transformations and innovations. As the world prepares to bounce back from the economic slowdown brought on by the pandemic, it is important to consider the forthcoming changes and their impact on the construction industry.
Currently, construction is undergoing significant advancements in a lot of areas. Understanding how the industry is changing this year is vital for companies and individuals who want to stay on top of their game and stay competitive in 2024, so read on to learn about the exciting times ahead in the construction world.
What are the Challenges that the Construction Industry will Experience in 2024?
Before diving into the innovations that will be brought by the changing times, let’s look first at the challenges the construction industry is expected to experience this year. Some are already apparent, but some will also surprise you.
1. Labor Shortage
The construction industry has suffered labor shortages for years, explained by the aging workforce and the high turnover rate of new workers. This is a real challenge for crew management – projects will be over budgeted without the required labor resources, and timelines will be delayed. The industry is experiencing a demand for various workers, e.g., field engineers, carpenters, welders, safety project managers, quality managers, architects, etc.
Hence, addressing the ongoing labor shortage in construction will be one of the challenges remaining in 2024. One of the ways to tackle this long-standing problem involves leveraging automation and AI to ensure efficiency, even with the potential need for more human resources. The other possible solution is strengthening employee retention, such as focusing on employees’ career development within a company. It’s also essential to attract the younger generation and make recruitment in construction firms attractive for them by offering competitive wages, for instance. Implementing these practices is also key to obtaining solid construction crew management for the upcoming year and beyond.
2. Sustainability Issue
The goal of sustainability for other industries is simple – they are making considerable efforts to minimize carbon emissions, which, most of the time, is a legal requirement to run their business. Since construction is one of the main contributors to global carbon emissions, the industry has made various solutions, such as incorporating recycled components as a building material, installing energy-efficient doors and windows, and maximizing solar use.
One of the examples of how the industry is moving towards sustainability is by adopting the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The endorsed proposal in the United States is expected to implement substantial energy savings in construction works, providing builders and designers greater flexibility to construct more energy-efficient homes.
3. Jobsite Workers’Workers’ Safety
The construction job site and the building methodologies are rather risky, so creating a safe working environment is a staple industry challenge that is becoming increasingly intense every year. Moreover, this involves improved safety training and stricter inspections more frequently. Digital tools can also contribute to minimizing construction worker injuries with the help of the following:
- Wearable devices that can track worker activity and send alerts in case an emergency arises;
- Virtual reality can be implemented for more effective and advanced worker training;
- Artificial Intelligence can help detect potential hazards thanks to various sensors that can analyze data;
- As the technologies become more developed, we expect jobsite safety to continue improving thanks to more modern opportunities for protecting workers from hazards.
4. Technological Innovations
The construction world is increasingly digitized with drones, sensors, software, and other technologies to improve productivity. These digital tools enable precise planning, accurate project visualization, and real-time collaboration among teams across job sites and offices, resulting in budget savings, streamlined work operations, and timely project completion.
Additionally, automation plays a huge role in construction back offices, reducing administrative and labor-intensive tasks. Construction crew dispatch software also helps shape decision-making and delegation.
5. Supply Chain Problems
Building material costs and availability continue to disrupt operations in the construction industry, although prices are showing signs of stabilizing in 2024. Production and transportation delays of building materials have impacted the industry’s capability to meet project budgets and timelines.
To help alleviate the persistent supply chain issues, many construction companies are investing in digital platforms that help back-office employees better navigate inventory management so there will be zero delays due to supply. Managing construction inventory is made easier with construction management software with a built-in inventory management feature. These platforms can provide real-time levels of supply.
In addition to the industry’s sustainability efforts, construction companies increasingly work with prefabricated construction materials as an alternative to commonly used building materials. Their use is gaining momentum along with offsite construction and will continue to trend in 2024 and beyond. The major advantages of prefabrication are increased work efficiency, reduced construction time, and fewer chances of low supply.
6. Coping with the Unknown
Because of the current economic downturn, construction firms are trying to find ways to cope with pressing economic uncertainty and find ways to deliver their projects under cost-cutting possibilities. Moreover, persistent supply chain problems caused by the pandemic and geopolitical tensions can lead to more intense material shortages, delayed construction schedules, and project cost overruns. So, in 2024, construction companies will continue taking precautionary measures to protect themselves against this unpredictability and minimize related risks.
Hence, the trends in construction have mostly stayed the same in recent years. To put it simply, the industry section is looking for ways to address current economic issues, optimize costs, and improve productivity simultaneously. In addition, the future of construction is expected to be much greener and safer for its workers.
What are the Advancements in the Construction Industry by 2024?
Like other industries, the construction industry has been increasingly digitalized in recent decades – companies are adapting sensors, drones, software, and other technologies that revolutionize traditional processes and are sure to alter the future of construction. While the complexity of construction projects is becoming more difficult, digitalization provides construction firms with several benefits: efficiency of operation process, accurate project planning and visualization, real-time collaboration, better market opportunities, reduced risks, optimized construction costs, more robust decision-making, etc.
Let’s review some construction technology trends that will stir the industry’s development in 2024.
1. 3D Printing
3D printing is a game-changing technology in the construction industry – instead of using conventional building objects such as traditional bricks and mortar, contractors can now “print” three-dimensional objects from a single digital file. The technology helps generate components and large objects, such as houses, bridges, and even skyscrapers. As a result, construction firms can shorten their projects’ timelines, reduce labor costs, and adjust the use of material resources as needed.
2. Construction Drones
Construction drones allow construction teams to gather real-time images and collect data that will help pinpoint potential problems that are difficult to detect from the ground, such as cracks or damage to buildings.
Using drones to conduct laser scanning of job sites before construction begins will ensure fewer mistakes during the planning stage of projects. It will bring a safer construction environment for the whole construction team. Virtual reality and drone scanning can make construction information more accurate, which means the engineers can get the exact scale and projection of buildings quicker, and project managers can estimate the value.
3. Connected Construction Teams
Connected construction teams embrace a network of devices and software to connect data, equipment, inventory, and people. This enables more streamlined communication and collaboration in a real-time manner, promotes online safety, and increases the productivity of construction operations. Construction crew dispatch software is now entering the construction scene for good reasons.
4. Automation and Robotics
Industries widely embrace robotics and automation to streamline their work processes; the construction scene is no exception. These technologies help construction firms cope with a lack of workers, reduce expenses, and contribute to the industry’s sustainability efforts. Robots don’t get exhausted, make mistakes that require rework, and work more quickly, so using them on some parts of the construction process reduces projects’ timelines, which is also a big advantage.
In contrast to old construction methods, maximizing automation technologies can minimize the number of accidents on construction job sites. Lastly, applying automation and robotics can improve the quality of tasks. These factors make integrating these technologies a good investment for construction that can improve their performance in 2024 and beyond.
Key Takeaway
The times are changing quickly, and construction is a fast-paced industry that requires its professionals to adapt as needed. With all the construction challenges and technology trends that are to be expected in 2024, it might feel overwhelming to face the year ahead. However, it can be manageable and exciting with the right construction management tools.
Pro Crew Schedule is a leading construction management software that can help you connect to your team anytime. Manage all your resources in one place, adjust your schedules as needed, and track your worker’sworker’s productivity. Shift from traditional to modern construction management to prepare for the coming year.
