The Future of Construction: Key Trends for 2024 and Beyond

December 6, 2023

As we venture into 2024, the construction industry is undergoing transformations driven by technological advancements and shifting urban landscapes. As a contractor, how will all this affect your business? Let’s take a look at two key trends that will dominate the construction industry in 2024 and beyond.

Urbanization

City living continues to be incredibly popular, but today’s city dwellers are demanding and discriminating. This is driving ever more innovative and efficient building practices. Construction designers are working hard to provide the usability and sustainability that modern downtowns require. Lighter-weight building materials that are sustainably sourced, as well as prefab and modular construction designs, are expected to rule urban development over the next several years.

Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Robotics technology has really exploded in the past decade. Autonomous robots are now playing a larger role in construction than ever imagined. Robots are often the best solution for dangerous tasks as well as repetitive jobs such as bricklaying. They can also perform site inspections in a fraction of the time of human inspectors. They have the added advantage of seeing through walls and entering very small crawl spaces.

AI has gotten a bad rap recently, but when used smartly, it can revolutionize your construction business practices. AI is particularly good at project management and resource allocation, ensuring that your crews are working in the most efficient manner and all tasks are on track.

Another area in which AI really shines is predictive maintenance. Rather than making educated guesses about when and where maintenance will be needed, you can harness the immense data collection and analysis powers of artificial intelligence to stay ahead of the game. Sensors and other data collection tools are becoming less and less expensive, making them easy to install in key areas.

And don’t forget about other high-tech innovations such as 3D printing and building information modeling (BIM). You can now create a highly realistic 3D model of even the most complex building design, allowing you to spot potential issues before they occur. And you can 3D print novel new designs with a minimum of waste. It’s a win-win for both you and your clients and a trend that is only likely to become more common in 2024 and beyond.

Need a Skilled Trade Professional?

Of course, all the construction trends in the world won’t do anything for you if you don’t have just the right crew members to implement them. At Great Lakes Skilled Trades, we specialize in connecting contractors with professionals in the skilled trades throughout the Great Lakes region. If you need a skilled tradesperson, learn more about our services, and then contact us today!

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Overcoming Common Challenges in Urban Commercial Construction

March 27, 2024

Urban commercial construction brings a whole set of challenges that contractors in the suburbs and rural areas never have to consider. But revitalization is extremely important for urban cores to survive and thrive, so these projects can be quite lucrative. Here are some common difficulties, along with tips to overcome them and remain on good terms with the neighbors. Tight Spaces In urban areas, there simply isn’t as much space to move around. You might have difficulty getting some of your heavy machinery to fit, or your subcontractors could be trying to paint an apartment the size of an average broom closet. Rise to the challenge by thinking outside the box. Carefully survey the entire space before you get started, and develop a detailed project plan in advance. Be sure to include entry and egress routes, alternative ways of getting things done, and even subcontractor schedules that minimize the number of people working in the same space at the same time. Local Regulations Many urban areas have byzantine construction regulations that are confusing and hard to follow. Take the time to research these regulations and understand what you need to do. Then, boil it all down into a simple, easy-to-read document that you distribute to everyone involved. Get to know the local authorities and find someone whom you can call whenever you have questions or concerns. Make sure your team members are ready to pivot if you find out that you missed or misinterpreted something significant. Always have a backup plan. Community Engagement Transparency can go a long way toward getting the local community on your side. Let people know what you’re working on and how it will benefit them. Explain why the project is happening, how long it will take, and whether it will impact their costs (such as taxes). If you’re redeveloping a historic building, be especially sensitive to the concerns of preservationists and meet with them separately to explain your plans. Noise Control You won’t endear yourself to the local community if you’re making a lot of noise when residents are trying to sleep. And remember, even if you’re working on an office building, there could be luxury apartments right next door. Use sound baffling measures to reduce noise. Whenever possible, work during daylight hours. Minimizing Disruptions No matter how careful you are, urban commercial construction projects are inherently disruptive to the neighborhood. But you can mitigate this with careful planning. Try not to block streets during morning or evening rush hours. Be considerate of any upcoming local events. Do your best not to interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic patterns. When you do need to create a blockage, be sure to put up signage and work as quickly as you can without compromising safety. Need a Skilled Trade Professional? At Great Lakes Skilled Trades, we specialize in connecting contractors with professionals in the skilled trades throughout the Great Lakes region. If you need a skilled tradesperson, learn more about our services, and then contact us today!