Top Construction Industry Trends for 2017

Posted by John White on June 6th, 2017

The new year calls for a new forecast on the commercial construction industry. The industry has seen various transformations brought about by continuing demand partnered with shortage in the labor force. And as the new administration takes office, firms are even more concerned of how possible changes are going to affect their businesses.

Here are a few top trends that will affect the construction industry in 2017.

Industry Growth

One reason that the level of spending in the industry is expected to increase so much is the demand for housing. Residential construction spending is projected to grow by 7% to 1.7 billion. The growth of the industry as a whole is a welcome News as it picks up the pace from 2016 which was a slightly slower year. President Trump also has a plan to invest trillion in infrastructure over the next decade, so this year the industry will be on the lookout to see how his plan will proceed.

Shortage of Workers

The shortage of workers in the construction industry isn't new, but it is expected to pick up exactly where 2016 left off. Despite the industry growth, firms across the US are struggling to find employees to staff their sites. During the recession, many construction were forced to leave their jobs, and the industry has never really recovered from this. Other factors contributing to the shortage of workers include the lack of training schools and the fact that existing workers who remained in the industry are getting older and retiring. Workers shortage leads to longer timeframes for projects and higher costs, so the industry needs to turn the shortage around to thrive.

The Use of Modular Construction

Modular construction is becoming increasingly popular and this is expected to continue in 2017. Its also known as offsite/prefab construction and it isn't a new technique, but it is becoming an alternative method for construction for stretched workforces. It cuts the schedule of the project, and much of the cost, as elements are constructed in a factory before being assembled on site. Reducing the number of hours a construction contractor needs to spend on-site is good for both time and money. In Sweden, 84% of detached homes are built with prefabricated timber elements, and in the US this figure is currently 5% but is expected to increase.

Rising Costs

One of the industry's main concern is the rising cost of conducting business. Materials are more expensive, and labor is more expensive due to the sheer lack of workers. The price of material declined in 2016, but industry experts called it the 'calm before the storm'.

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

BIM is the new method of modeling expected to take first place in the construction industry. BIM creates 3D designs which can be used at every level of the construction process to ensure an effective build. Designs can be modeled with a specification in place and can be checked by contractors to ensure there are no clashes with their plans for the plumbing system or other aspect of the build.

The construction industry must fight against the rising costs and shortage of workers to take advantage of the new technology trends, which will allow it to thrive in the future. Workplaces must operate safely and use green building methods to be sustainable.

About the Author:

This article is written by John White from Mosser construction, a construction firm in Fremont Ohio, that has successfully executed hundreds of green projects conforming to LEED standards and certification.

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John White

About the Author

John White
Joined: June 6th, 2017
Articles Posted: 4

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