5 Things Every Construction Business Needs to Incorporate to Get Ahead in the Industry

The construction industry is a highly competitive field, with companies doing what they can to get ahead.

If you want your construction business to get ahead, then you will need to incorporate these five things into your business.

#1 Invest in Augmented Reality

You can invest in augmented reality (AR) for your construction business, which is a live, copied view of your physical, real-world environment. AR involves placing a 3D model of a proposed design onto an existing space using mobile devices and 3D models.

Augmented reality is becoming a staple in the construction business. It provides a view of both what the world and work look like and what it could look like once completed. This is beneficial to construction companies because they can see what a proposed building will look like once completed in the space you are hoping to build it.

Augmented reality is expected to be worth $90 billion by this year as it continues to provide new applications. The technology provides efficient project staging and makes pre-construction projects tangible for clients. When designing a project, using AR will help you show clients what the building will look like in the proposed space.

For builders and developers, using wearable technology as well as 360-degree video allows for 3D visualization of future projects in the environment. AR provides you with Automated measuring of buildings as well as fast and affordable simulation of architectural and structural changes.

This will save you time and money by being able to do a virtual walkthrough of a completed model and see what needs to be changed instead of waiting till the building is in the process of being built.

#2 Implement the Use of Cost Estimating Software

Construction companies can benefit from using RS Means construction cost estimating software. Cost estimating software is a collection of programs, processes, and information used to calculate the total cost of a construction project.

The software allows you to plan projects faster. You have the ability to plan your budget with accurate construction costs, which can help to eliminate going over budget and cutting costs where you can.

For instance, if the software identifies that it might be more budget-friendly to hire equipment like a digger, you can make informed decisions accordingly. If you’re wondering “where to find a digger company?” you can check out firms like Nationwide Digger Hire to find the equipment you need.

In essence, implementing cost estimating software empowers construction companies to make data-driven decisions, optimize resource utilization, and ultimately enhance project profitability and success.

Keep in mind that cost estimating software comes with a basic estimating tool that allows you to add, edit, and share your price proposals quickly.

You can create line-by-line estimates of proposed projects that you can then show to potential clients. Also, you can maintain existing buildings with schedules and detailed costs. All of these tools will help you meet your client’s needs while saving time and money.

Using the software will help you to avoid redesign. You can align designs with clients’ needs, budgets, and verifying costs, all while building square foot models quickly.

You also have access to the cloud-based estimating software at any time from your desktop or mobile device. With the cloud-based software, you can search the database by keyword and pin frequently used items.

View detailed price breakdowns, including material, labor, equipment, and productivity. Receive automatic quarterly cost updates and follow price trends and set alerts when something changes.

The capabilities with cost estimating software will help you stay ahead in a business that requires you to stay in budget while still meeting your client’s needs.

#3 Take Advantage of Green Technology

Green technology can make more customers opt for your services because it’s a balance between high-quality construction and low environmental impact. It’s now the expected standard by homebuyers, renters, and commercial tenants.

Green technology uses reclaimed or recycle materials to lower the building’s carbon footprint through the use of resources to reduce waste.

You can use reclaimed or recycled materials while also efficiently using water, energy, and other resources. It can allow you to reduce waste, pollution, and environmental degradation. You can also be a green provider by getting your LEED certification to become qualified to develop high-performance, sustainable residential and commercial buildings.

Some green technology you can take advantage of in your next construction project include:

Recycled metal: Long-lasting material that does not require frequent replacement. It won’t warp or burn and is also water and pest resistant. It is a viable option for roofing, structural supports, and building infrastructure.
Reclaimed wood: While it does need to be thoroughly inspected due to insect infestation and degradation of wood over time, it is often used for structural framing, flooring, siding, and cabinetry.

#4 Start Using Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

The construction industry is one of the least digitized, least automated industries in the world and produces the most waste.

This is why artificial intelligence (AI) and robots are handy resources that not only boost productivity but also improve accuracy. Through the use of AI, you can automate different construction processes that will help to improve your production, reduce overhead, and waste.

AI and robotics are being used to automate manual processes, which allows for projects to be finished faster and more efficiently. This all happens while reducing overhead and waste and continuing to produce projects with precise detail.

Robots can be used to help perform labor tasks like:

Bricklaying and foundation building: Produce higher quality parts and materials that are more consistent. By removing human error and inconsistency, robotics can take advantage of speed, efficiency and repeatability to ensure better quality
3D printing: Print complex, layered parts, and objects. Standardize the production of pieces that can be used throughout various projects, which saves time and money.
Demolition: Speed up the process, save time and money while break down walls, crushing concrete, and gathering debris through the use of robotics.
Safety for employees: Robots can conduct labor tasks at dangerous locations.
Do the same task over and over again, at the same speed with precision (which helps with labor and employees becoming tired).

#5 Incorporate the Use of Sustainable Materials

By using sustainable materials, you’ll stand out in the industry. By opting to use recycled products and resources that can be replenished in a short amount of time, you are reducing your carbon footprint and helping the environment.

Lumber, metal, paper, and stone are all items that can be reused and recycled when constructing buildings. Materials that renew quickly include bamboo, coconut, straw, and cork.

Sustainable construction can also include structures made from rubber tires, buildings constructed from cans or bottles, and homes that are made from bales of straw.

Some other examples of how you can use sustainable materials in your construction include:

Bamboo: This fast-growing plant is frequently used in sustainable buildings. Since it replenishes quickly because it grows fast, it is mostly used as flooring or to reinforce concrete.
Cork: Harvesting cork only requires the removal of bark from the tree and does not require the whole tree to be cut down. Often used as flooring.
Reclaimed lumber: You can take lumber from old structures then treat and resize it to be used on other projects. Doing this preserves timber and saves energy because fewer resources are used to harvest, treat, and transport new lumber.