By Rich Bruchac, Account Manager
Follow the trends! The construction industry transforms rapidly, affecting the way construction firms are going to approach and carry out projects in the future. Where does your company stand in terms of adopting change? Are you taken by surprise – and trying to catch up– every time a new approach is introduced, or are you prepared for it? In order to stay ahead of the competition, your organization needs to follow construction trends that have an impact on the way you conduct business. Take a look at some major trends that are going to shape the industry and find out how your company can stay on top of them.
Labor Shortage
How easily can you fill an electrician job? How fast can you find an experienced carpenter? One of the biggest factors that negatively impact the construction industry, and is going to do so in the years to come, is the lack of solid construction skills. The recent economic recession forced a great number of experienced tradespeople to exit the space and have yet to return. Construction companies are watching their pool of professionals getting smaller and smaller. A great way to fight the skilled labor shortage is reaching out to a reputable staffing firm and using their construction talent inventory to address your needs. Instead of wasting time and energy hunting for scarce construction skills, reach out to those who have established relationships with and have access to the candidates you are looking for.
Jobsite Technology
Technology is revolutionizing construction jobsites and thus the way construction projects are going to be carried out. Drones that take videos, collect data and have access to remote places, autonomous vehicles that reduce hazards and enhance construction safety, and wearable devices that track workers on the jobsite and help prevent accidents are just a few examples of how technology changes worksites. Technology is here to stay and your company needs to follow construction trends in order to be ready to adopt in a smooth way and stay ahead of competition.
Safety Adherence
Even though technology introduces innovations that strengthen construction safety and help improve construction skills, the number of tradespeople getting hurt and losing their lives every year remains high. The main reason is failure to comply with OSHA guidelines and rules. In order to address unsafe and illegal construction practices, OSHA increased its fines and more scrutiny is expected for safety violations and incidents. As you follow construction trends, remember that the safety of your workforce must always be your top priority, as well as the priority of subcontractors and third parties that you work with.
Green Building
Not too long ago, sustainable construction used to be the exception in building. Not anymore. Clients are asking for energy efficient features that increase life cycle savings. With that being said, green building and LEED certification are gaining ground, and construction companies need to move forward in that direction. Eco-friendly materials and sustainable building practices have become more and more popular to address environmental concerns and new regulations. Is your company ready to adopt? Do your tradespeople have the training and construction skills to make your company a pioneer green builder?
Modular Construction
Companies that want to follow construction trends should not forget about modular construction. Reports show that prefabricated construction is growing year over year and is expected to gain more market share in the future. More construction safety, faster production times, less impact on the environment and higher efficiency are some of the reasons why modular buildings are becoming popular. Is your company ready to take on modular construction projects, or are your clients going to give their business to your competition?
Key Takeaways for Construction Trends – Where Does Your Construction Company Stand?:
- Address labor shortage but partnering with a construction staffing firm
- Follow technology changes in construction
- Make sure you always stay up-to-date with safety guidelines
- Embrace green building practices and make sure your tradespeople are trained
- Keep an eye on modular construction
About TradeSource
Founded in 1993, TradeSource is a construction labor solutions firm focused on delivering labor solutions to contractors throughout the United States. By supplying skilled tradespeople – where and when they’re needed – we help contractors grow their companies, without the associated costs and hassles of full-time hires. Likewise, we match qualified employees with rewarding and well-paying job opportunities in the construction industry. www.tradesource.com
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