The demand for residential and commercial property presents endless opportunities to grow your construction business.
Photo by Philipp Birmes on Pexels.com
However, given the handsome profits reaped from such projects, the industry is highly competitive. To remain relevant in it, it is imperative that you keep up with industry trends and find a way to stand out.
Modern property buyers are today keen on properties that provide a wholesome living experience. Brick and mortar no longer cut it, the property needs to either ease their business operations or improve their quality of life. So, which construction trends can you harness to deliver such extra value to your clients?
Read on.
Alternative Construction Methods
Alternative construction methods that you can use vary depending on what you are hoping to achieve. For example, if your client would like a project delivered within a short time, you could choose to use prefabricated panels. It is through this method that China was able to build a hospital in a shocking 10 days. You could equally offer other options like precast foundations for residential properties.
Aside from time, alternative construction methods also encompass the use of alternative materials. These would be applicable in situations where clients are concerned about their property being hurricane-proof or if they prefer sustainable building materials. The goal here is to be informed about the solutions you can offer them in line with their design and within their budget.
Energy Efficient Buildings
Commercial buildings are heavy consumers of energy. As more individuals and businesses become more environmentally aware, there is an increasing demand for buildings that are energy efficient. Some key qualities your clients may appreciate include:
- Good insulation to lower heating bills
- Natural light to reduce the amount of energy used in lighting spaces
- Provisions for the use of alternative sources of energy like solar power
The truth is, building energy-efficient buildings is not always the most affordable choice. They, nevertheless, cost less to run in the long-term and provide a better user experience. You could create a very lucrative niche for your business if you could find a way to merge aesthetics, budget, and energy-efficiency for your clients.
Going Green
If the recent lockdowns have taught us anything, it is that outdoor spaces are just as important as the indoors. More so in urban settings where green spaces are becoming ever so scarce. Such amenities will, therefore, be an emerging trend for much of the foreseeable future, and rightly so.
Consider proposing gardens and similar green spaces as you plan and execute projects. In cases where space is limited, explore alternatives such as rooftop gardens. Water features like aquariums or indoor ponds would also be a great way to introduce nature into a building. With modern equipment from brands like Mountain Tree, they are quite easy and affordable to maintain. If you would like to learn more, theirs would certainly be the website to visit.
Great User Experience
Multiple studies show that the environments that people live and work in directly impact their well-being and productivity. For this reason, it is very important that you factor in user experience in the projects that you take on. Some key areas you could focus on in this regard include:
Accessibility
Commercial buildings are legally required to be accessible to all. Keep in mind that accessibility goes beyond just wheelchairs. Consider incorporating other accessibility provisions for other disabilities too such as blindness and deafness.
In most jurisdictions, residential properties are not mandated to adhere to accessibility provisions. However, for projects like apartment complexes, it would be remiss to leave them out.
Natural Lighting
Natural lighting is not just great as an eco-friendly solution. It is also fundamental to the mental and physical health of the occupants of a building. Medical research, for instance, links dark buildings to depression. Whether through skylights or generous glazed windows, offer your clients as much natural light as possible.
Smart Living
In the age of Siri and Alexa, it would be a disservice not to offer provisions for smart solutions. Granted, the extent to which these are factored into your projects will depend on your clients and other issues such as the budget. However, it is within your purview to offer advice on such matters for the benefit of the client.
Modern Safety
Modern safety is multifaceted. On one hand, it entails protective measures against incidents such as adverse weather and fires. On the other, it equally encompasses security issues like building access, burglar proofing, and technological threats such as hacking of building systems.
From a construction perspective, structural safety and building security matters fall right within your docket. If you can get security consultants to work alongside your staff, you would be able to yield safer buildings for your clients. Especially because, like everything else, crime is becoming more sophisticated with each passing day. Outdated security measures may not hold.
Conclusion
Trends are commonplace. Every other firm has just as much access and knowledge of them as you do. The catch, however, is in the execution. By focusing on quality work and delivering buildings that offer greater user value, your firm will likely outpace all its competitors. Zeroing in on trademarks like eco-friendly or smart buildings could create a unique identity for you in the market which is undoubtedly a plus.