After a turbulent year of changing forecasts and adjusting expectations, 2022 is the year of resurgence and expansion in construction. The rising costs of construction and the labor shortages continue to impede the industry from developing competitive, innovative ideas for fit outs UAE. In addition, stricter regulations result in a smaller chance of error and waste.
As the industry gets more competitive and the market changes taking advantage of these trends in construction can be beneficial for any construction company. Find out the ten most important trends in the construction industry in 2022 that will help you remain competitive.
Table of Contents
- Protective Equipment
- Efficient Technology
- Growing Need for Laborers
- Remote Worksites and Mobile Access
- Rising Material Costs
- Green Building
- Modular and Offsite Construction
- Construction Management Software
- Focusing on Residential Projects
- Smart Cities
1. Protective Equipment
There is an increase in machines capable of identifying the most common safety hazards and eliminating these risks one at a time. Wearable technologies are making their way to work with work boots that can connect to Wi-Fi and notify others when a person falls. Materials-moving “mules” transport heavy or hazardous materials, while robots independently build scaffolding or lay bricks. Headsets can also help reduce noise while keeping employees in touch with their surroundings.
Beyond the gear, for workers, We are already witnessing robots that completely replace human employees. In a way, rather than “replacing” humans, these robots are changing what humans perform. In many cases, they augment human decision-making (like understanding and translating data findings into useful insights) and allow for higher-level, more complex tasks.
2. Efficient Technology
The main difference between developers and builders this year is likely to be technology in construction, specifically, the developments that improve efficiency. The COVID-19 virus has also led to increased dependence on technology in construction. Some types of technology are expected to get more popular until 2022 and beyond.
Smart Contracts
Experts believe that blockchain technology will improve relationships within the construction industry. It’s a key element to providing a safer and fast workflow that gives everyone involved access to increased efficiency.
Smart contracts provide all companies within a project with a common method of conducting business. It allows them to purchase, track, and pay for services. Instead of obtaining agreements or tracking deliverables from different entities, companies can utilize smart contracts as a complete tracking system in which deadlines and rules are established, and the Blockchain enforces these rules. It can lead to quicker closing-outs, better security, more accurate project tracking, and a more efficient supply chain.
Construction Drones
The use of drones in the construction sector is one of the fastest-growing trends, as the number of drones used increases by 239% yearly. The technology can be used for many possibilities other than aerial real estate photography and commercial endeavors.
Today, drones are utilized to rapidly map vast areas and distances, producing important aerial heat maps and thermal images. The most advanced drone software can provide immediate, actionable information that can be used to make quick decision-making and further streamlines the entire construction process.
Personal safety and the loss of equipment are the main risks when it comes to construction. Drones can do tasks as substitutes for humans to reduce the risk of injuries, for instance, in tasks that require the scaling of supertall structures. As security tools for on-site sites, drones can lower labor costs, reduce the chance of theft, keep projects on track, and minimize delays.
Augmented Reality (AR)
For developers and builders, AR facilitates the use of wearable technology as well as 360-degree videos to allow:
- Future projects in 3D are visualized in their environment
- Automated measurements of buildings
- A cost-effective and fast simulation of structural and architectural modifications
- Safety training and hazards simulations
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
BIM technology for building information modeling can help the top companies in the industry stand out thanks to increased efficiency. BIM allows users to create computer-generated renderings of buildings as well as utilities. Autodesk defines the process as “an intelligent 3D model-based process to help professionals manage buildings and infrastructure.”
- Autodesk BIM 360
- Trimble Connect
- Archived
- Navisworks
- Revit
- BIMx
3. Growing Need for Laborers
A major and obvious development in construction over the last few years has been an enormous growth in the need for labor. The cost of quality labor is high and competitive, even though robots can take over much of the work.
Despite their best efforts, we’ll require more skilled people to handle and interpret the information produced by technological advancements. The good news is that women are now taking on increasingly competitive positions.
4. Remote Worksites and Mobile Access
Mobile applications for the construction industry provide worksite access like never before with real-time inspections, accountability on the job site, and precise measurements made with cameras on mobile phones.
COVID-19 requires teams to work without access to spaces, materials, or even teammates. AECOM created technology that allows public approval meetings to be held online to ensure that public projects continue to progress without needing in-person meetings.
5. Rising Material Costs
In the coming years, rising interest rates are expected to add to all types of costs, leading to additional pressure on the construction industry in general. Technology like drones AR and BIM will help keep projects moving and combat the cost pressure.
The latest innovations in living materials and technology could increase the cost of living. However, they will offer more savings to users over the long term. Some of these new materials include:
- Self-healing concrete
- 3D graphene
- Transparent aluminum
- Light-generating concrete
- Invisible solar cells
6. Green Building
Green construction is the new quality for renters, homebuyers, or commercial tenants. However, many eco-friendly and sustainable elements are considered a luxury even though they can save you money in the long run. However, this could change as sustainable and eco-friendly construction becomes more common in the coming years.
Green construction encompasses both the technologies to decrease the carbon footprint of a building and the utilization of natural resources, as well as design models that reduce the consumption of resources. One of the most important benefits of green buildings is evidence of their benefits for the occupants. Research has shown that buildings with green features can benefit the psychological and physiological effects on people living there and even on passersby.
7. Modular and Offsite Construction
Prefabs haven’t been spared from the COVID-19 virus, and some companies are shutting down to address the shortage of large-scale, modular, hotel-oriented construction. In general offsite construction won’t go anywhere. Modular projects allow you to enhance the safety of employees in climate-controlled, ventilated, and controlled environments and are therefore perfect for people who wish to ensure social separation.
8. Construction Management Software
A comprehensive construction management software is essential to stay competitive, create an effective business, and achieve the efficiency of operations.
While every software product differs in capabilities and features, The best software solutions address all aspects of the process, from RFIs to collecting information and sharing files with mobile teams, budgeting and document storage, HR and payroll, and inventory tracking.
- Autodesk
- Procore
- Buildertrend
- RedTeam
- Fieldwire
- Quickbase
Selecting the best building management system is essential for your company. Start by looking at the ease of use and compatibility with other software. Find scalable software that is suitable for your current needs and will be able to meet your requirements as those demands grow. Consider the possibility of customization, including upgrades, additional features, and upgrades, and make sure you have access to training and support to help you get started.
9. Focusing on Residential Projects
With the amount of money that tech companies are increasing in complex megaprojects, some of the largest construction firms such as Skanska, have announced that they will no longer look at large-scale public-private projects but instead focus on smaller-risk agreements.
10. Smart Cities
These trends in the construction industry are fast changing the market globally. Price increases, a shortage of skilled workers will continue to be a problem in the next decade, and the regulatory environment could be more stringent with an increased focus on safety at work and adaptation to climate change. By adopting innovative practices by leveraging the latest technologies or investing in innovative projects, developers and builders can lower risk, secure more contracts, and reap profitability benefits.
