New Year Construction Industry Trends for 2017

The New Year is always a time to take a look at what we’re doing and what we could change, what are going to be the latest trends and popular things in society, and how we can all better ourselves. We took a look at some of the more popular construction industry trends that the community will see in 2017. These are just a few of those changes.

Increase in nonresidential In the New Year, nonresidential construction is expected to rise significantly. In fact, the American Institute of Architects (see here) predicts that in 2017, nonresidential construction is expected to rise 6.7 percent, especially hotels, amusement, and recreation projects, as well as offices will follow this construction industry trend. The lowest growth predicted is in the religious, public safety, and industrial sectors. With lower energy costs, improved employment environment, and a strengthening economy, the nonresidential industry is getting ready to grow.

Increase in prefabricated construction The prefabricated construction trend looks to be increasing in the New Year. Modular construction is quickly gaining momentum and is reaching a high rate of growth since it is often a cost effective construction method. Another added benefit to this construction industry trend is that there is a level of guaranteed certainty, as well as minimizing waste and cutting cost. One trend that will continue year after year is that people want to cut costs and save money.

Increased use of technology As our society evolves, so do the construction industry trends for building. Technology is constantly evolving, and how it is used on the worksite is also evolving. The use of smart phones, drones, and other technology to help monitor construction progress could lead to that one thing everyone wants to do: cut costs. That makes this one of the biggest construction industry trends that you’ll see in the New Year.

Increased use of 3D printing The use of 3D printing has already started to take industries such as dental and jewelry by storm, so it’s only a matter of time before it makes its way into the construction industry. Materials are able to be made in a fraction of the time, cutting time and ultimately costs. Strength and durability also benefit with 3D printing, with some homes that are built with materials from a 3D printer being able to withstand an 8.0 Richter scale earthquake. The more mainstream it becomes, the cheaper the materials will be as well.

Construction industry trends will change regularly, so here’s to a New Year with new trends and always a better year than the one before.