When planning your next build, it’s important to look for variables that might impact your project. From supply chain issues to developments in technology, a wide range of factors influence the construction industry. Whether you’re building a single-tenant facility or a multi-purpose industrial complex, construction industry trends can impact your tools, timeline, building technique, and budget.
With such far-reaching implications for your business and your bottom line, it’s worth paying attention to what might be on the horizon. Here, we’ll look at construction industry trends to watch for in 2025. Hint: advancements in software, AI and robotics will touch nearly every step of the design and build process. However, other key trends are expected, too, including those related to the economy.
At JB Donaldson, we’re always looking for improved tools, techniques and processes that will increase the efficiency of your build project while maintaining the quality you’ve come to expect from our team. Here are some of the construction industry trends we’ll watch for in 2025.
Changing Economics
Behind expectations for next year’s construction industry trends is the wait-and-see element of economics. Although inflation has slowed in recent months, prices are still climbing, especially among specific building materials like concrete and steel metal products. Naturally, higher material costs can inflate project costs and encourage builders to consider alternate materials.
Similarly, changing interest rates have a direct impact on the construction industry. While they have started to edge downward, higher interest rates have had some investors and homeowners sitting on the sidelines, waiting to see what happens. According to MorningStar, Fed rates are expected to fall through the end of 2024 and throughout 2025, likely increasing the demand for new builds.
When we look forward to 2025, construction industry trends are inherently related to economic changes, including macroeconomic variables such as inflation, interest rates and the economy’s well-being, state and local policies, population and economic trends.
Design & Planning Technology
While technology has been integral to building design and planning for many years, many expect a leap in capability in 2025. Builders and prospective buyers have long been able to visualize a project with 3D software, for example, but one of the most interesting construction industry trends is the movement toward using virtual reality (VR) for the same purpose.
VR provides an immersive 3D experience through which designers, builders and other stakeholders can tour a given building or space before it is built.
Another tool that has been gaining popularity in recent years but will likely become more commonplace in 2025 is building information modelling (BIM). This 3D planning tool allows builders to plan and test building structure, layout and components before building begins. Key vendors are also getting on board, using the software to integrate three-dimensional models of components like elevators to make sure they fit and work well within the designed space before a build begins.
Construction Site Technology
Similarly, on-site technology is sure to take a leap in 2025. Aerial drones, for example, are gaining widespread use as a surveying tool. Drones can provide critical data for large or remote properties before you break ground.
Other on-site technologies that will likely gain more use throughout 2025 include predictive analytics, site sensors, artificial intelligence (AI) and more. These tools increase efficiency, improve safety and reduce downtime, helping builders avoid construction issues and create more efficient, predictable build projects.
As technologies continue to emerge, we’ll likely see more on-site tools used, especially where safety, efficiency or productivity can be improved. Although it is one of the most challenging construction industry trends to predict, you can expect to see testing and rollout of new technologies in 2025. Watch for developments in AI, 3D printing, sensors, drones and more.
Sustainable Buildings
The movement toward green building is one of the most significant construction industry trends, both within the United States and globally. A green building uses sustainable processes and resources, from planning and design to materials and construction methods.
A green building can also refer to the long-term functioning of the building and how it saves resources. Examples include accumulated savings of energy, land, water, materials and more. Green building technology focuses on low consumption, energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. To gauge these decisions and efforts against standards, the U.S. Green Building Council created a rating system called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
According to a recent survey by Dodge (World Green Building Report), almost half of respondents in construction and design said they expect most of their projects to be considered green by the end of 2024. The most significant shift toward sustainable buildings is in the residential market. These trends are expected to continue through 2025 and beyond.
Modular Building Components
Construction industry trends in 2025 will likely include greater use of offsite construction to improve build efficiency. Through this process, modular components of a building are assembled, including fixtures and finishes, offsite. They are later attached to the building’s structural frame.
This construction method can speed up build time, as workers undertake several job elements at once. It also allows for efficiencies, especially where buildings contain multiple units of a single floor plan or layout. Think: schools, hospitals, apartments, hotels and more.
Modular construction also includes smaller components of buildings, allowing workers to build them offsite for later installation. These components include door frames, floor systems, windows and more. This flexibility appeals to many builders for its efficiency and ability to build components in a controlled, weather-proof environment.
What to Expect for Your Next Project
No matter the size of your next project, it’s essential to work with an experienced builder who understands current trends and is willing to invest in the success of your building. A trusted builder will put construction safety and building integrity first while remaining open to new techniques, processes and building materials.
In the coming years, you can expect construction industry trends to include creative, technologically advanced solutions to help lower building costs, improve sustainability and make buildings more efficient. Expect to see developments like autonomous heavy equipment, innovative building materials and a movement toward sustainable building.
Speak with your builder about best practices and their approach to new technologies. While they make informed decisions about building materials, processes and methods, they will help you create the space you envisioned.
At J.B. Donaldson, we work closely with our clients from the beginning of each project. As design-build contractors, we anticipate and account for challenges while investing in industry-leading technology, tools and processes that help our projects run on time and within budget.
We are a premium design-build contractor with over 30 years of experience in a wide range of industries. With extensive in-house expertise, we collaborate with our clients, helping you navigate every aspect of your project, from pre-construction to final design. We are at the forefront of construction industry trends, using tried and tested techniques and processes to improve the cost and efficiency of your project.
We value quality, consistency, and predictability, which allows you to count on schedules, costs, and project integrity. Our commitment to excellence allows us to provide creative designs, practical solutions and innovative ideas while keeping your goals and objectives as top priorities. Contact us to learn more.
