7 Ways Technology Is Being Used To Modernize The Construction Business

The construction business is changing as technological advances are made. The industry is becoming safer and more efficient every day, and that’s a win for everyone. 

Here are seven ways technology is being used to modernize the construction business and how it can help you if you’re in the business.

1. Innovative Approaches To Customer Relations

CRM, or Customer Relationship Management, is a technology that handles all of a construction company’s relationships with current and potential customers. The goal of CRM management software is simple, improve your key relationships so you can grow your business.

The benefits of using a CRM in construction include 

• Being able to make estimates and deliver them to clients quickly.
• Having proposals monitored as they pass through your system.
• Creating a shared database that allows you to build strong partnerships.

CRM technology streamlines your interaction processes, making things easier for you and your clients. 

2. Computer-Aided Design

Computer-Aided Design allows construction to begin before the design is fully complete, which speeds up construction and reduces interferences. It allows possible problems to be identified and eliminated before they ever occur. 

This reduces the risk of injury and error, allowing work to stay on schedule and under budget.

3. Upgrades To Vehicles

Vehicles get more efficient all the time as features continue to be updated. New safety features and constantly updated GPS technology allow construction crews to be safer and more productive.

Traditionally, heavy-duty pickup trucks are used in the construction industry, and at about $50,000 a piece! They get expensive fast. However, you can update your fleet to incorporate new technology while still saving yourself some money. 

Rent a fleet of heavy-duty trucks for your company instead of buying to save yourself thousands of dollars. Rentals are safe, reliable, modern, and can handle whatever work you throw at them. 

4. Blueprint Apps

Blueprint apps are replacing the traditional piles of papers. No more digging through a stack of unnecessary paper just to find the one document you need. With an app, you can bring up and share the prints in real-time.

That ease of use allows you to share plans with your team and clients as they’re created, which can save costly redos later. The apps can be accessed on phones, tablets, and computers to guarantee everyone can view them whenever they want.

With these apps, everyone is in the loop and it’s easier than ever to prevent oversights. 

5. Drone Usage

Drones have changed the construction industry in the last decade. They can survey and map areas humans can’t get to, monitor progress in real-time, and allow you to spot changes that need to be made.

Construction companies that use drones have reported an increase in overall efficiency. This is due in part to more accurate maps and data, which allow projects to be more thoroughly planned. Drones also allow construction managers and contractors to view what’s going on at the job site without actually having to be there.

It’s worth noting that if you plan to use drones in your construction company, you need to check into the legal requirements surrounding them in your area. Many states require drone operators to be licensed to fly inside city limits. 

6. Improvements To Safety Equipment 

Safety is a top concern in the construction industry. The sector is responsible for about one in five workplace accidents, and it’s regularly named one of the most dangerous fields to work in. Because of this, safety equipment is always being invented and improved. 

Headsets, halo lights, safety glasses, and responsive clothing are all tools being used to increase safety on the job.

Headsets allow constant communication, allowing dangers to be avoided. 

Halo lights are improved versions of traditional hard hat lights. They light up an entire task area to ensure workers can see what they’re doing, and avoid potential accidents. 

Modern safety glasses are made of polycarbonate. The material is lightweight, stronger than plastic, impact-resistant, and fog-resistant. This keeps workers safe from injury, and able to see their surroundings. 

Responsive clothing is designed to allow airflow and maintain body temperature. It is crucial for working outside in harsh winter conditions. 

These are just a few of the items that help maintain safety in the construction workforce. Innovations are being created all the time. 

7. Construction Management Software

Construction management software, or task management software, is designed to increase productivity and keep projects running on schedule. This has proven incredibly valuable to the construction industry, where work needs to be fast-paced and accurate.

This software allows members of a project to be kept fully informed of real-time progress. That allows adjustments to be made to projected time estimates and provides an informed view of how close the project is to its goals.

Management software is also used to handle budgeting and billing. This streamlines the system and allows for more accurate budget keeping and cost estimates for clients. 

When this type of software is effectively integrated into a construction company, it can increase productivity and allow projects to be finished ahead of schedule. This leads to improvements in the whole construction process, making it one of the most valuable technologies currently available in the industry.

These are just seven of the many ways technology is modernizing the construction business. The industry continues to grow, change, and become safer and more efficient every day.