ConstructConnect Blog

The amount of technology available geared specifically toward the construction industry is mind-boggling. There’s drones, robots, smart hard hats, wearables, ruggedized smartphones and tablets, and 3D printers. Soon we’ll have autonomous (self-driving) heavy equipment hitting construction sites. Not to mention the hundreds of software and mobile applications available for nearly every aspect of running a construction business from the office to the field.

The construction industry has gotten a bad rap for being notoriously slow at adopting new technology. Despite the proliferation of new tech that has hit the market in the last decade, many construction firms continue to underinvest in technology. Being unwilling to embrace the industry’s current tech revolution is no longer a sustainable business model for construction firms.

Construction projects run on strict deadlines, keeping up with client demands, weather changes, missing supplies, and other problems to complete on schedule. A disruption can throw a figurative wrench into the works, making the job that much harder. What are some of the most common sources of disorder, and what can company owners and supervisors do to minimize this risk during their next project?

The construction industry gets perennially dinged for being too slow to innovate and adapt to new technology. This trend appears to be changing as more construction firms are realizing the value and benefit of adopting new technology. Not only is it a great way to step up their tech game, but it can also help them to attract and retain the next generation of workers. 

Contractors are increasingly adopting new technologies to give themselves an edge over the competition. According to a recent study from USG Corp. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 74% of contractors expect to adopt advanced technology within the next three years. The majority of them are doing so to increase labor productivity.

I’ve written about the importance of a vendor payments strategy for companies in today’s business climate. But the reality is it’s twice as imperative for construction companies to implement this process because the industry’s payment challenges are bigger—and so is the opportunity. Payments are at the center of two critical areas of the construction business—vendor relationships and job progress. So getting strategic about how you pay can make a big impact.

Construction has been one of the slowest industries to adopt technology. That’s partly cultural—folks in the industry like to solve problems with their own ingenuity. Many firms are still family owned, and there’s still a lot of reverence for tradition. Finally, this is an industry with thin margins, where the first funding priorities are equipment and personnel.

Safety is always the number one priority in any construction project. Anyone that tells you differently hasn't been in the business long enough. In construction, a safe site is a happy and productive one. At the end of the day, ensuring everyone's safety will keep employee morale up, costs down, and ensure deadlines are met efficiently. It's best to think of safety as the umbrella that every other component of a job falls under. The principles of safety can be complex when you break them down, but there are ways to simplify the goal of a safe and friendly job site.

Developing effective communication is essential to the success of any work environment. Communication is especially crucial on construction sites where safety, productivity, and efficiency are of the highest priority. To make sure your construction site is as safe as possible, follow these simple tips to keep your crew consistently on the same page so they can function as a cohesive team.

In light of National Work Zone Awareness Week, we found it pertinent to address the proper procedure for redirecting traffic and utilizing proper signage in work zones. Due to the many dangers on the road, and especially on highways, orange cones are simply not enough.