The construction industry is one that changes with the times, and this year is no exception. The COVID pandemic has had a great effect on the construction industry, just as with most industries. Forecasters believe that once things get back to, more or less, business as usual, the construction industry will be on the upswing again. Explore the top trends the construction industry will see in 2021.

2021 Trends in the Construction Industry

  1. A Need for Skilled Laborers. The construction industry has had more open positions than boots to fill them in the past several years, and 2021 will continue that trend. However, the trend will focus on a need for skilled laborers more so than laborers in general. Industry experts believe that more women entering the construction workforce and a shift towards more favorable perceptions of trade schools will help to fill those skilled laborer positions.
  2. Rising Material Costs. Material costs have risen 5 percent over the past three years in the Producer Price Index for construction goods. Experts believe a focus on efficiency can relieve some of the increasing costs.
  3. A Focus on Efficiency Through Technology. Efficiency will be the name of the game, whether a builder is looking to focus on “green” eco-friendly construction or just trim costs from the bottom line. Technologies like drones for mapping and generating actionable data or keeping track of machinery, “smart contracts” that offer an all-in-one tracking system for all parties in a project to use to do business or robots that can move heavy materials or lay bricks will all start to ramp up the efficiency of construction job sites.
  4. Worker Safety. Robots that do the heavy lifting aren’t just about getting things done cheaper and faster. They’re also about keeping workers safe from injury. Similarly, wearable safety technology will also make inroads in employee safety, such as a wearable device that lets a worker know when they are lifting a heavy load in a manner that could cause injury or boots that can detect if a worker has fallen and alert others.

Tucker Paving has more than 25 years of experience in the asphalt and concrete paving construction industry, and we’ve seen a lot of changes in the construction industry in that time, and we know we’ll see more in the 25 years ahead. Call us at?(863) 299-2262, or contact us online, for assistance with your next asphalt or concrete construction project!