The last few years have hefted remarkable unpredictability on the construction industry. From pandemic shutdowns to labor challenges and skyrocketing material prices – all amid a surge in demand that was difficult to keep pace with – 2020 and 2021 have left many of us a little frazzled. While we don’t have a crystal ball to see what 2022 might bring, we can look at the overall status of the industry and market conditions to glean some insights about what might be on the horizon.

Construction Industry Challenges in 2022

Construction Challenge 1: Labor

As the current construction workforce crosses over into retirement, we face a labor shortage that needs to be filled with qualified, hard-working young people. But filling those roles isn’t as easy as it once was.  

Construction Challenge 2: Tightening Margins

The cost of construction commodities like concrete, brick, lumber and steel remains high, making it harder to maximize profit margins. GlobalData predicts a sluggish 3.2% growth rate for worldwide construction in 2022 – the slowest in a decade. Stricter regulations add to the challenge, while customer expectations remain high. We need to find new ways to make the most of our margins.

Construction Industry Trends in 2022

Despite the challenges we face, construction has always been an industry that rises to the occasion. We don’t ignore difficulties; we face them head-on. Each of these trends aims to solve or mitigate these challenges and others. At CECO, we encourage you to be aware of them all, and find ways to use them to augment your business for what’s shaping up to be a challenging – but exciting – year ahead. 

Construction Trend 1: Modular Construction

When an industry faces labor shortages as well as social distancing requirements, it makes good sense to consolidate labor to as few locations as possible. Modular construction helps accomplish this. By constructing chunks of a project – or modules – off-site, more workers can remain at the same facility, working in controlled conditions. This cuts costs and reduces the construction timeline. Many builders are realizing returns – so much so that some predictions indicate the modular construction market value will reach $157 billion by 2023. 

Construction Trend 2: Super-Sized 3D Printing

Another solution to the labor shortfall is 3D printing. By constructing portions of a project layer by layer, you can reduce waste, improve turnaround times and even print custom designs in large quantities without altering machinery. For instance, a team of four builders associated with the US Marine Corps used 3D printing to construct a concrete barracks building in just 40 hours – compared to the typical team of 10 taking five days to build a similar structure from wood. It may be uncommon now, but we expect to see this move more into the mainstream.  

Construction Trend 3: Robotics

The most obvious and common use of robotics and robotic-type aids on the construction site is drones. According to BigRentz, drone use has increased 239% year over year. Drones allow easy high-resolution photography of the entire site, monitoring of progress, inspection of hard-to-reach places and more.  

Keep an eye on other robotic solutions too, like exoskeletons that can provide 20 to 1 strength amplification, plug-and-play collaborative robots (or “cobots”), self-driving machines, and robots that can handle repetitive tasks like bricklaying or dangerous jobs like constructing scaffolding. 

Construction Trend 4: Other Technological Advances

With margins slimmer than ever, squeezing as much from those margins as possible is crucial. Expect to see more technology that keeps project costs down. Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides many high-tech solutions to the daily problems of running a construction business. It can help run through countless iterations of building designs to find the best option and avoid clashes. It can use past information to predict everything from the impact of change orders to the overall month-to-month profitability of your business. Likewise, virtual reality can help clients visualize their building before it is complete. Worksite sensors can monitor worker safety or jobsite conditions and provide alerts if anything becomes unsafe. 

Construction Trend 5: Used Equipment and Rentals

Many of the trends we expect to see in 2022 have their roots in the realm of technology. But the costs of committing to early adoption can be high. For one, the literal costs can be unrealistic for many companies. Another consideration is the fact that you might spend substantial amounts retooling your business with the possibility that the new technology doesn’t quite work as hoped.  

Therefore, expect to see rentals as a viable alternative. These lower the barrier to entry and allow contractors and builders to see for themselves if technological innovations meet expectations. Buying used equipment is another good option, because it means getting nearly new technology at a lower price. 

Construction Trend 6: Smart Project Management

For too long, project management and budgeting have hinged on paper documents, disconnected spreadsheets and knowledge occupying different stakeholder’s minds. As margins shrink, this is one area that has a lot of room for optimization. Today’s cost management software makes it possible for all of your key players – from on-site personnel and subcontractors to stakeholders and top decisionmakers to access a centralized, single source of truth. Budgets, bids, schedules, timelines, plans, cost forecasting and much more can be viewed, tweaked and visualized in real-time, anytime, from anywhere.  

This kind of technology isn’t just limited to cost management. Software-as-a-service (SaaS) developers continue to find new ways to streamline the complexities of running a construction company. 

Construction Trend 7: Sustainability as a Way of Doing Business

Clients request it and governmental regulations demand it more and more often. We strongly encourage you to be ahead of the ball on sustainability. Metal construction and sustainability are already a natural fit, but you can lead the way by helping your clients earn tax credits or eco-friendly designations like LEED Certification. Offering recycled or environmentally conscious products like K-Briq (90% recycled construction site and demolition waste materials) or other recycled products such as steel also give you a head start on your sustainable portfolio.

Construction Trend 8: Innovative Approaches to Recruitment 

While 75% of construction firms reported that they intend to expand their workforces in 2022, we also know this will be difficult – especially filling salaried and hourly craft positions. What’s more, construction suffers from 21% employee turnover – the highest of all industries.  

One answer to this is the robotic solutions already mentioned. But we believe construction has always been an inherently human business and hesitate to fill so many vacancies with technology. A better answer is to start reaching out to tomorrow’s workers while they’re still in school, being bold and proud of the kind of life a construction career provides.  

Another answer is to look to the gig economy to fill short-term vacancies. This presents its own problems, but we expect to see gig economy growth in the construction industry in the coming years. Yet another solution is to be found in our final trend for 2022. 

Construction Trend 9: More Women on the Worksite – and in the Head Office

Each year, more and more women discover the satisfaction of careers in construction, whether it’s as a front-line laborer or owning and running the entire operation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2007 to 2018 saw nearly 100% growth in female-owned construction firms, and in 2018, 30% of construction firms promoted a woman to a senior position.

Though 2022 will bring its own difficulties and obstacles, we also see a lot to look forward to on the horizon, and we’re proud to move towards it with you. Get in touch with a Ceco Representative today to talk about how we can make the most out of 2022 together. 

It’s been said that the construction industry lags in terms of adopting technology and embracing the digital revolution. It’s not an uncommon sentiment, but it’s also not exactly accurate. Architects, engineers, and builders have accomplished some of history’s greatest, groundbreaking feats of ingenuity – and they still do it every day. However, there is still a disconnect between our industry and technology. Today, we’re going to get to the bottom of it.  

Disparate Reports 

McKinsey & Company reported venture capital investment in construction tech has grown far more than overall venture capital investment and has doubled in the last decade. Yet other reports from the same firm suggest construction productivity ranks extremely low due to its lack of digitization. Venture capital investment is high, but industry-wide adoption of the technology invested in is – so far, at least – low. How can we square these contradictory facts? 

Connecting the Dots 

Construction has always been and always will be an inherently human business. Deals are made on handshakes. Relationships between owners, suppliers, designers, and builders often stretch across generations, weathering storms and trends that ravage other industries. It’s a collaborative industry built on a foundation of trust. So, in an industry where everything hinges on human connection, it’s understandable that there will be some reluctance to “go digital.” Almost by definition, “technology” is essentially antithetical of “human.” Digital solutions can feel sterile and make relationships feel distant.  

At Ceco, we understand the reluctance, but the technological and software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions out there today are an entirely different animal from the desktop-bound, computer-based software of yesteryear that made us feel shackled to desks and disconnected from our colleagues and peers. Today, the fundamental goal of SaaS platforms is connection and communication – the very foundations of our business, and foundations that were complicated and compromised by the global pandemic.  

According to The UN, by 2060 we’re likely to add 2.5 trillion square feet of buildings — equivalent to an entire New York City each month for the next 40 years. That begs two questions: How can we more efficiently manage such an immense amount of construction, and how much of that margin can you own? Two questions, one answer. Read on for more. 

Participation Atrophy 

If your company operates like most in our industry, you oversee a vast landscape of decentralized work and information. Most large firms have as many as a dozen different digital, legacy or even paper-based tools for project management, financials, scheduling, operations – you name it. When communication occurs, it’s in siloed teams and isolated, opaque channels. Texts or emails between a few people might accidentally leave out a crucial person or critical information. And as you know, when miscommunication and errors from the preconstruction stage make it to the jobsite, they are likely to be amplified into mistakes, rework and change orders that can cost millions. 

An Analogy 

Imagine a full symphony orchestra. As if each team or trade in construction, each section – strings, horns, percussion – has its own leader and sheet music or instructions. Within each section, each player might have slightly different roles and parts. Standing at the front, the conductor has the score – every player’s part combined on a single musical document. When there are changes, they’re all made together and are reflected in the score. Everyone knows and understands. And when changes create problems, they’re immediately obvious. 

Products like Autodesk’s Construction Cloud and Procore are designed to accomplish the same idea – and much more – for the construction industry. Our business is built on collaborative connection and communication, and these platforms put you on the innovative forefront of the newest, fastest and easiest ways to stay connected – and to connect every aspect of your business. 

Every little part of a project can hinge on multiple other parts. For mere mortals, comprehending it all – especially as changes are taking place – is impossible. Until now, it was often a matter of guesswork, guts, and luck. But taking advantage of platforms like these can give you a real-time view into the financial health and schedule of all your projects.  

All in One Place – But Everywhere at Once 

When all your data, contacts, contracts, people, and information are digitized and centralized into a cloud-based platform, you get visibility and control over all of it from anywhere. Chances are that your projects already generate a ton of data. These platforms connect the data, put it to work and use it to drive insights, visualize trends, predict future income and more. Stakeholders need accurate and complete information to make decisions, and this gives them a real-time finger on any project’s pulse. When your teams all have access to the same, accurate information, they can efficiently and accurately develop forecasts, enhance cash flow projections, and win competitive bids. That’s where real-world productivity can shoot through the roof. 

If this sounds overly technical, here’s the short, sweet, layman’s version. Everything will be laid out in front of you: project health, budget, timeline, payments, supply scheduling, and so many more details and variables. Like a conductor standing before an orchestra, you can test out a tweak or a change to see how it affects the entire scope. 

The Future is Here 

Another tech tool construction companies are using to forge new paths of connectivity and collaboration is in the building information modeling (BIM) realm. The more stakeholders and teams you can have looking at the same design – and the earlier you can do this in the process – the smoother the project will go and the larger your margins become. Dallas firm HKS created an 864-square-foot collaborative virtual theater, complete with a 10×20-foot projection screen and workstations so everyone can get in the same room and tackle a project and its details at once.  

While such ambitious BIM CAVEs (computer-aided visual environments) aren’t realistic for every organization, Revit and other collaborative cloud-based environments allow teams to collaborate on 3D models in real time, making critical decisions and merging structural, MEP and architectural models to predict and eliminate clashes. 

Stay On the Jobsite Even When You’re Away 

While much of the workforce went virtual during the pandemic, builders and tradesmen can’t really do their work over Zoom. However, the virtual approach has had an impact on the jobsite. Using artificial intelligence, OpenSpace creates a fully navigable, virtual version of your construction site. All it takes is a 360-degree camera strapped to a builder or site manager’s hardhat as they make their way through the site. The camera automatically records the environment and uploads it to the cloud, where computer vision and machine intelligence organize and stitch together the photos, then map them to project plans. This allows stakeholders to monitor progress remotely make decisions and communicate about issues. It also effectively reduces the number of people on-site and provides a digital record of progress in case any problems or conflicts arise. 

Going the Distance 

Similarly, Disperse uses 360-degree cameras to create a digital twin of the site, helping project managers spot issues before they escalate, but also uses face recognition technology to quantify and analyze social distancing on the jobsite. Additionally, disperse combines schedules, 3D models, drawings, and weekly on-site snapshots to help give yet another real-time view into a project – viewable from anywhere at any time.  

Construction has seldom shied away from modern technology when its benefits are clear and tangible, and it’s certainly clear that many of the latest developments and breakthroughs from the tech world will create tangible returns by helping the construction industry drastically improve what it’s always excelled at: connect, collaborate, and communicate. 

You know the type. They’ve been in the business since before you were born. They’ve seen it all. They’ve been through it all. They’ve solved every problem, adapted to every trend and rode every paradigm shift that came their way. At Ceco, we’ve known many like this – both within our organization and outside it. 

This typically older, wise person is utterly unflappable and collected no matter what the situation. Everyone goes to them with their questions and crises and comes back with an unexpected answer or solution. Maybe you’ve been lucky enough to work with someone like this. Maybe in your organization, you are this person. Either way, it’s unfortunate that once they retire or move on, all that knowledge goes with them. But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

You’ve probably seen artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning represented in a variety of spectacular ways, as intelligent android servants, super soldiers or omnipotent machine brains. But in reality, the best use of AI for the construction world is much closer to the old-timer who’s seen it all. And, nearly literally, that’s how AI and deep learning work. The more raw, historical data and outcomes you feed them, the better their intelligence and predictions.  

Intelligence Vs. Learning 

Though they’re often used interchangeably, AI and deep learning are slightly different. Artificial intelligence is a computer or program which mimics the cognitive functions of humans. This could be problem solving, recognizing patterns, understanding images or learning from previous data and results.  

Deep learning (or “machine learning”) is a subcategory within AI, and uses statistical techniques to “learn” from data, without any explicit programming. It can quickly digest millions of data inputs, spot trends within them, create insights and make predictions based on them. Deep learning can learn to do anything from analyze financial reports and project future outcomes to find the fastest way to beat Super Mario Brothers. The more data and more attempts it’s allowed, the better the outcome. Whereas AI is comparable to the research and raw data end of the spectrum, deep learning is more like the interpretation of that data – and execution based on that interpretation. 

Intelligence That Never Retires 

Instead of requiring a lifetime of experience, deep learning holds the potential to be deeply wise in the space of a few months – maybe even less. And there’s no reason for it to ever retire. You’ve already seen this type of learning put to use; you just may not realize it. For instance, do you remember when you had to sort through all your own emails? Now, smart servers automatically prioritize messages likely to be important and categorize the rest into social, promotional, spam and other categories. Or, have you noticed a search engine automatically filling in the rest of your search? These are relatively commonplace applications of smart machine learning, but for the construction industry, the possibilities are much more exciting. Better yet, each year, the barriers to entry get steadily lower. 

Intelligent Foresight & Intelligence for Sites 

The first place we’re seeing introduction of deep learning is in budgeting, cost and project management. Giving machines years and years of past project data, including costs and impacts of rework, delay, errors, and other crucial data points can give them the information they need to find patterns and outliers, preventing costly delays. On small projects, it might be easy to predict what could happen if a permit gets held up. But on multi-year, large scale projects with many moving parts – or for companies managing many simultaneous projects, trades and vendors – these impacts are impossible to foresee. AI-empowered management software can run through both “what if?” scenarios and contingency planning. Unexpected situations are no longer unexpected. They can be anticipated and planned for.  

We’re Only Human 

Human error is a reality we can’t ignore, and unfortunately the more labor-intensive a task is, the more vulnerable it is to human error. That can be incredibly expensive. In 2018, rework cost the industry more than $31 billion. AI can spot and catch potential problems earlier than humans, provide a real-time view of a project’s financial health, and even provide intelligent options for streamlining the process. This prevents costly delays and downtime and leads to better-managed schedules, wider margins and higher returns. 

Have Your Cake & Eat it Too 

AI can provide similar benefits in the design process. Using a synergistic integration of BIM technology and deep learning, it’s possible to explore countless variations of a model to identify the best option. Called ‘generative design’, this technology allows you to experiment with tens of thousands design changes – from minor to major – then use the best outcomes for a more stable, safer, economical or aesthetically pleasing design. Time-intensive exploration like this – that would take a human months – can be executed by AI in a few hours. 

Get Your Piece of the AI Pie 

As promising as these potential breakthroughs are, they’re just the beginning.  Around the world, more than $10 trillion is spent each year on construction. That figure is expected to grow by 4.2% each year, and with creative use of AI, you can secure more and more of that growth. A McKinsey report from 2017 pointed out that productivity could be boosted by as much as 50 percent through real-time analysis of data. But it can also be put to use on-site.  

Such Great Heights 

AI can help you see around corners – both figuratively and literally. Drones may have become commonplace, allowing surveying, overhead images and project views that were either impossible or very expensive in the past, but this only scratches the surface of what drones could do. Combined with AI that can train drones to ‘understand’ what they’re seeing, drones could monitor sites for adherence to drawings and plans, create records of progress and even police workers for safety protocols such as wearing helmets or practicing social distancing.  

Autonomous Machines 

We’re even beginning to see the use of robotic construction equipment. Though the days of a worksite full of autonomous erectors, bricklayers and concrete finishers is still in the distant future, today it’s not unheard of for remote diggers to work 24/7 clearing and leveling a site. There are even robots capable of pouring concrete, installing drywall and laying brick. Though these technologies are still in their infancy, recent decades have taught us the technology grows up quickly. 

Eye on the Prize 

With expensive equipment and suddenly valuable steel and lumber sitting unmonitored on a job site, these locations can be a thief’s dream. But smart sensors can monitor everything from temperature and application of materials to equipment condition and worksite security. And with cameras and sensors hooked up to AI, you can keep an intelligent eye on your worksites, monitoring not only for suspicious activity, but also to give you a heads up when heavy equipment needs maintenance. 

There are numerous businesses trying to train AI systems, but a shortage of the kinds of data scientists needed to conduct this training has made for extremely high salaries. Competition is fierce to attract top AI talent, meaning the biggest firms tend to win out. But these same high salaries and intense competition mean many of today’s students will be eager to enter the field, bringing tomorrow’s supply up. 

The idea of AI that can think, plan and manage better than us, that can monitor worksites and even perform construction trade functions might be more frightening for some than it is exciting. It leads to wondering, “If we don’t need people to do the work, we don’t need buildings. If we don’t need buildings, we don’t need construction. Even if we did, robots could build for us. How long until we’re all obsolete?” 

Unfounded 

AI experts assure us these worries are in vain, because AI just helps us do our jobs better by freeing up massive amounts of time that would’ve been required to do tasks by hand. It’s like a secret weapon, but it needs human intelligence, and allows us to focus on the more important, strategic concerns. That means more human minds doing what humans do best – dreaming up new ideas and innovative solutions. So, those among the first to embrace AI will likely come out on top. 

Each year, the construction industry becomes more complex. Between new methods, cutting-edge materials, customers’ expanding expectations and emerging technology, it can be a real challenge to keep up. However, maintaining our position at the leading edge of advancements has always been an integral part of how Ceco operates. You trust us to be your committed partner, with superior knowledge and expertise in everything from sophisticated, flexible design styles to the latest, most innovative technology applications. So today, we want to introduce you and your business to a piece of technology you may not be aware of – and one that could not only save you money, but also boost your profits in unexpected ways.  

Cascading Complexities 

As construction has become more complex, builders have taken on more projects – and more projects of different types. Within each of these projects, respective details split into more and more branches of complexity – each with their own suppliers, trades, budgets, variables and timelines. It’s a lot to keep an eye on. Above all, though, any project’s success is measured in terms of two things: time and budget. Was it completed on time? Was it within the budget? 

All those little variables along the way can have massive repercussions on your two primary success metrics. A change in material cost, a seemingly simple shift in design, permitting problems – you name it. It can all have a “butterfly effect” on the final cost and schedule. According to KPMG estimates, a mere 31% of 2015 construction projects landed within 10% of their initial budgets, and an Independent Project Analysis Group study of more than 12,000 projects revealed that more than 35% of all construction projects incur a major change in their lifespan. 

If you’re operating the old way – without comprehensive cost management technology – your window into all these variables and their consequences is startlingly opaque. Until it’s too late.  

The Old Way 

The way most companies attempt to manage costs has hardly evolved in decades. They essentially do it the way it’s always been done: each team or individual, from permitting to design to engineering, has its own spreadsheets, documents and software. At worst, these are all on paper in a file cabinet at the office. At best, they’re digital, but the programs likely aren’t linked, can’t talk to each other, and reside on a hard drive somewhere. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to investigate cloud-based cost management technology. 

Let Your Imagination Run Wild 

While the term “Cloud-Based Cost Management Technology” may sound complex and intimidating, the truth is it’s simplifies everything. Imagine a central platform, containing all the information about every project: Each supplier, tradesman and subcontractor, their rates and payment schedule; overall project dates, schedules, and costs; change orders and approval statuses – every last detail. Imagine that this central platform also interrelates all this information, so that by simply entering a change in material cost, the financial consequences of this are extrapolated across the entire project. Now, imagine you can access and interact with this not only at the office, but at the worksite, at home, on vacation – anywhere you need to see an entire project’s scope and the fallout of potential changes. 

From Dream to Reality 

That is the gist of cloud-based cost management technologies like Autodesk’s Construction Cloud or Procore. It gives you – and the right people inside and outside your organization – a real-time finger on the pulse of your projects’ financial health. You can visualize risk with an accurate view of profitability and control over factors that might influence it. Equipped with this level of data detail, you can make the right decisions every step of the way – regardless of what otherwise disastrous changes or unforeseen circumstances arise. We all know that those choices can spell success or failure, because every little budget overrun cuts directly into profit margins. Having this unprecedented, critical view of the big picture makes all the difference.  

Risky Business 

If you’re doing it the old way, you’re navigating waters more treacherous than you might realize. For one, you’re wasting untold man hours. But all those separate documents and processes also run the risk of errors in data entry, miscommunication and small mistakes with unpredictably large consequences. You have limited or nonexistent visibility into each project’s real financial health – and therefore a limited understanding of the organization’s overall health and future. What’s more, you’re having to make forecasts with out-of-date and possibly inaccurate information. In short, you’re working harder for less return – and you’re jeopardizing that return in the process! 

More to Come 

Cost management technology will allow you to do everything we’ve talked about so far with ease, plus a lot more. It will seamlessly shepherd changes through company-defined approval processes and auto-generate custom documents, with an at-a-glance view of potential change orders, type, scope, source, status and costs. It can streamline, track and manage pending and completed payments to suppliers and trades against work to be completed, centralizing cost data in one place, accessible anywhere and anytime by those you choose to have access. It will allow you to customize virtually every detail, from budget column names to reports, codes and hierarchical buildups. 

Without the right technology, it’s nearly impossible to adequately manage cash flow in the construction business, resulting in minimal profits. With it, your teams can use a real-time project visualization to control costs, ensuring the project is completed as planned, and expect more predictable cash flow, profitability projections and profit margins. 

We truly believe this kind of technology will be a game changer not only for you, but for the way we create the buildings of tomorrow together. To learn more get in touch with your Ceco representative. 

Out From Underground 

For the majority of the last century, cannabis cultivation has happened in secret. But now, with cannabis legalized or at least decriminalized in 39 US states, growers are coming out of the woodwork. Public support for universal legalization is overwhelming, and in states where medical or recreational legalization has been successful, business is booming – up to an estimated $61 billion. What’s more, the market is predicted to grow by a compound annual rate of 21% year over year. 

Growth Spurt 

Both the medical and recreational cannabis industries are rushing to supersize their operations. Demand is suddenly through the roof, and supply must race just to keep up. Yet cannabis is far from commodity status. Competition is fierce to develop the strongest varieties – or to isolate strains and compounds with a growing list of different desired effects. Growers nationwide are looking to establish their competitive edge – or break through with a new product no one else has yet dreamed up.  

A Highly Regulated Environment 

That edge begins with the environment in which the cannabis plants are grown, and more often than not, growers choose indoor facilities. Cultivating market-busting cannabis requires absolute control of every environmental condition. A nearly tropical environment must be created and regulated indoors. Temperature must be maintained, regardless of whether it’s a blistering hot summer day or snow is piling up on the roof. Humidity and air movement also need to be precisely managed, giving enough moisture to plants while inhibiting bacterial or mold growth. Powerful lighting and treated watering cycles provide artificial cues to the plant as to the season, determining its phase of development and growing cycle – from seedling to growth to fruiting.   

Micromanagement 

But that’s just the start, because each room – and often each strain – requires slightly different atmospheric conditions and control over those conditions. Within a single grow facility, multiple different temperatures, varying levels of humidity and stages of growth likely exist next-door to each other. Cannabis cultivation also requires extensive ceiling-mounted equipment: from lighting systems, HVAC and MEP infrastructure to fire protection, mechanical, plumbing, electric, condensing units, watering systems and indoor blowers. This all increases the collateral load significantly.  

All this amounts to considerable demands on the building, its structure, performance characteristics, durability and cost.  Luckily, Ceco’s vast experience in metal construction is ideally suited to take on every demand – and to outperform them. 

A Match Made in Heaven 

Metal buildings – and insulated metal panel (IMPs) construction, in particular – are the perfect match for cannabis cultivation. They can not only handle the consistent intense humidity required in the cultivation process, but also extremes of cold, heat, rain and drought. IMPs provide air, water and vapor barrier in a single product installed in a single step. They also include a foamed-in-place insulated core. That means instead of multiple trades installing multiple layers of the building envelope, a single trade can do it in a single step, reducing time, cost, and exposure – allowing expedited dry-in times so interior trades can move in sooner.  

Materials arrive on site pre-punched, drilled, and ready for assembly, reducing erection time by approximately 33% compared to other methods. In fact, it has been estimated that a crew of four can erect as much as 5,000 square feet of IMPs in a single eight-hour shift. 

Energy Offset 

From water to heating and cooling, the energy costs of running an indoor grow facility are considerable. But metal and IMP construction help offset those costs by significantly reducing heating and cooling costs through exceptional insulating properties and thermal uniformity. 

IMPs provide other features, as well. Metal doesn’t support the growth of mold and is resistant to rust and decay, while sealing off the building so well it’s virtually airtight – keeping out pests, rodents and contaminants alike. Special drainage systems can be included, as well as recessed spaces in aisles for water faucets and easy-to-clean wall finishes – including specially formulated systems designed to stand up to regular, high-pressure washes. Metal construction is also perfectly suited to handle the increased collateral load cannabis cultivation requires. 

Filling The Footprint 

Making the most of every square foot of a building’s footprint is critical to maximizing a grow operation’s profit margin, and Ceco helps with that as well. The Ceco Long Bay® System allows for column-free interiors and large, unobstructed, clear span space to support crops, water storage, processing facilities, product storage, and more. Likewise, the addition of mezzanines and lofts can double the capacity of a building footprint. As the business grows, metal buildings can scale alongside, ready for a boost in demand to be matched by a boost in size. 

Custom Fit 

Ceco metal buildings are anything but pre-engineered, with all components custom-designed and made to order. When you contact a Ceco representative near you, we’ll make time to consult with you about site selection, topographic conditions, as well as both interior and exterior design. The building will be custom engineered to meet your facility requirements and local building codes. If you prefer, we can provide the products and handle construction. Trusting your project to a single source of responsibility means you know precisely what to expect – and precisely who to call should you ever encounter a problem. That’s the accountability and partnership Ceco is built on.  

Set it & Forget it 

Once the building is erected, it will be virtually maintenance free. Metal walls and sloped metal roofing are self-cleaning – requiring nearly no upkeep, which further reduces your operating costs. Still, excellent warranties are available for your Ceco products, just in case.  

Don’t let the others get ahead. Get in touch with a nearby Ceco representative today to get your cannabis cultivation project on the books. The sooner you do, the sooner you can plant, harvest and see your products hit the shelves! 

Why It Pays To Make Your Building Projects Lean and Green 

As consumers in nearly every age and demographic category become more aware of and committed to environmentally conscientious practices in business as well as their personal lives, the benefits for businesses of making Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification a priority cannot be ignored. For those of us in the building industry specifically, beyond the many wonderful benefits to the earth, there are also numerous advantages for your business and your bottom line. 

LEED Benefits: Reductions

Typically, the most significant financial impact builders of LEED-certified structures realize is the energy efficiency. When constructed with efficient heating and cooling that minimizes energy and indoor/outdoor water usage, buildings can average an energy consumption reduction by 30-60%. Buildings that achieve up to 30% efficiency may qualify for basic LEED certification, with LEED Platinum-level certifications requiring 50-60% efficiency. Silver and Gold certifications require 30-47% and approximately 48%, respectively. Obviously, reduced energy use means reduced energy bills – often among the largest expenses in operating a building. 

Further reducing operating costs, most LEED-certified buildings average 15-20% lower maintenance costs than traditional commercial buildings, and even those that are retrofitted to improve green status can reduce operation costs by nearly 10% in one year. 

LEED Benefits: Increases

Not all benefits are by way of reduction however; LEED certification can also lead to increases: an average of 10% or greater increase in the value of the property, increased resale value, and an increase in employee satisfaction and overall health – which means increased productivity, fewer employee sick days, greater success with recruitment and retention, and more. 

According to Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), “Employees know that green building programs like LEED help companies to develop responsible, sustainable, and specific plans for green energy, water, waste, transportation and many other factors accountable for the human experience.” Additionally, the USGBC states that LEED buildings are linked to improved productivity, and health and wellness. In a study conducted by the organization, results showed that people’s decisions were influenced by whether or not the workplace was in a LEED-certified building, and that more than 90% of employees working in a LEED-certified building report job satisfaction. 79% of respondents say they would choose a job in a LEED-certified building over a non-LEED building.  

At Ceco, we’re proud to manufacture the metal building products that can help you achieve your LEED certification and establish your company among the leaders in creating a healthier earth and future through sustainable building practices, as well as position your business for greater success. 

Metal panels and roof systems are among the most effective building materials in improving efficiency, sustainability, and longevity. When you build with metal, you can expect overall higher performance in key areas that are used to determine your building’s LEED certification ranking, especially in Sustainable Sites, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality categories, with indirect benefits in the Heat Island Effect and Water Efficiency categories.  

General Ways Metal Building Materials Help Improve LEED Ranking

Below are some general ways metal building materials can help improve your ranking. For specific benefits of Ceco products and how they can help you achieve your desired LEED certification, talk to a Ceco representative. 

• Cool metal roofs and coatings meet designated initial and three-year aged Solar Reflectance Index values for steep and low slope roofs in the Heat Island Effect category 
•  The minimal staging areas of prefabricated metal building systems earn points in the Site Development category 
• The effective rainwater management of metal building systems contributes to ranking in the Water Efficiency category 
• Metal building systems have high insulating value and thermal performance, supporting smaller HVAC systems and reduced electrical loads – all contributing factors in theOptimize Energy Performance category 
• Metal roofs and facades support windows and skylights, as well as PV panels and solar thermal systems, all contributing indirectly to higher ranking in the Renewable Energy Production category 
• The combined optimized environmental performance as well as adaptive reuse of metal products and materials can help with higher ranking in the Materials and Resources category, with indirect benefits also possible from metal construction’s focus on Building Life Cycle Impact Reduction, Whole-Building Life-Cycle Assessment, Building Product Disclosure and Optimization, and Sourcing of Raw Materials. The significantly smaller waste of metal building systems in Construction and Demolition Waste Management can also help add points in this category. 
• Metal walls and roofs that meet Low-Emitting Materials standards can increase the number of points earned in the Indoor Environmental Quality category 

Final Notes on LEED Certification

Of course every building project is different, based on client needs, building location, intended use, budget, and a variety of other factors. But with a little creativity and commitment to the long-term outcome of building practices, we can all work together to make a difference that leads not only to better quality buildings, but a better world for everyone for generations to come. 

According to the EPA, on average, Americans spend upwards of 90% of their time indoors. Between work, school, shopping and relaxing at home, the vast majority of our time is spent breathing stale, indoor air. The EPA also reports that some pollutants are as much as five times more concentrated indoors than they are outdoors.  

As pandemic restrictions lift and people across the country head back to the office, return to school and venture back into indoor public spaces such as movie theaters, museums and retail establishments, indoor air quality is top of mind for all of us.  

But air quality isn’t a simple, single-variable concept. It’s a dynamically changing interplay of many different factors. The good news is many of those factors are within your control.  

The Energy Crisis 

Up until the 1970s, there weren’t strong and consistent regulations on building energy efficiency. This changed after a series of energy crises in the 70s and 80s which led to regulations which increased the thermal efficiency and air-infiltration of the building envelope. Thermal efficiency, as measured by r-value, is the insulation rating of a system, whether it is the wall, floor, ceiling, roof, etc. Air-infiltration, as measured by air leakage, is outside air that enters a building uncontrollably through cracks and openings. 

Ever since, both the national and local codes have steadily increased the thermal efficiency and air-infiltration of the building envelope – especially in Canada’s northern climate zones. Beyond regulations, building tightness has been incentivized by the R-2000 Program and the EnerGuide Rating System from Natural Resources Canada. This has resulted in structures that are more and more airtight. 

Conflicting Goals 

Air tightness helped buildings maintain more comfortable indoor temperatures better than ever – and more efficiently than ever. However, this air tightness has been detrimental to indoor air quality, because it means virtually no fresh air comes in. Siet ‘Foeng’ Tjong, Ceco Head of Research and Development explains, “We generally do not like to have any leaks, whether it’s water, vapor or air leaks into the building. But in some cases that does create a problem with indoor air quality.” 

We don’t often think of indoor air as necessarily being unhealthy, but it has the potential to harbor all kinds of harmful materials. As Joseph Dachowicz, Ceco’s Vice President of Marketing for Commercial Business, points out, “Buildings are filled with all kinds of man-made materials you’re just basically breathing in all day.” 

Tjong agrees, “When you have a building that is super tight, it also creates a lot more challenges for the HVAC engineer to provide balanced indoor air quality,” she said, ”and it creates a lot more load and requirements on the HVAC system to evacuate the air inside building and replace it with fresh air.” 

Pollutants

Of the pollutants that can end up stuck inside airtight buildings, some are generated indoors, while others find their way in through cracks, open doors or windows, or even on the people going in and out. Some can come from both sources. 

Man-Made Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) 

Chemicals used in the manufacture of office equipment, furniture, wall and floor coverings and construction materials can off-gas into your interior environments. Cleaning products, pest control, copying and printing can also leave a variety of harmful compounds in the air. With extra cleaning measures in place due to COVID-19 concerns, and more products being sprayed on more surfaces more often, ventilation to move that particulate matter out is even more crucial. 

Biological Agents 

Bacteria, viruses, fungi and molds can all travel through the air, causing illness, infection and fungal or mold growth. 

Combustion Pollutants 

Whether from idling vehicles, machinery, tobacco smoke, heating or cooking, combustion-related compounds such as carbon monoxide are among the most dangerous interior pollutants. High levels of carbon monoxide from a vehicle left idling in a garage can be lethal in a matter of minutes. Worse still, it’s odorless, tasteless and colorless – virtually imperceptible without a carbon monoxide detector. 

Fine particulate matter 

This is the “dust” you can see floating in a ray of sunlight and can be made up of any of the above as well as other fine particulate matter. 

Pollutants can be generated by the most innocuous seeming sources, such as housekeeping or printers, but are caused more precipitously by renovation, remodeling or applying new paint or finishes. 

Health Effects 

Poor indoor air quality can result in serious health effects. These can range from mild and irritating to life-threatening. Eye, nose and throat irritation are common, as well as headaches, dizziness and fatigue. At the more severe end of the spectrum, poor air quality can trigger asthma attacks, and more hazardous pollutants like radon or carbon monoxide can cause cancer or be lethal. 

Sick Building Syndrome 

When poor ventilation and indoor pollutants combine, they can lead to what’s known as “sick building syndrome.” Many occupants experience similar symptoms after entering in “sick” buildings, and their symptoms tend to resolve after leaving. Air quality this poor has been blamed for everything from sub-par student performance to reduced productivity in occupational settings. 

A Matter Of Opinion 

Perception of poor air quality is important as well. Though these considerations are more subjective, they can still affect how employees, visitors and customers feel inside your building. Odors and temperature are two of the strongest variables affecting perceived air quality, as well as air movement. Too little feels stuffy, but too much can feel drafty and uncomfortable.  

Air Exchange Basics 

According to the EPA, “The air exchange rate is affected by the design, construction, and operating parameters of buildings and is ultimately a function of infiltration, natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation.” These all play a part in how much air needs to be exchanged or moved per minute, which is expressed in cubic feet per minute, or CFM. The more overall air exchanges per hour – including a measure of exchange with outside air – the better. However, the following factors and considerations contribute to what is required to manage and improve a building’s air quality and ventilation: 

 1. Size 

The size of a building determines how much air is inside it, and therefore is an important part of the necessary CFM calculation. 

2. Occupancy 

Buildings with fewer or no people, such as barns or warehouses, require much less ventilation – fewer CFM – than buildings with higher occupancy, such as a school, office building or church. 

3. Number and Type of Openings 

These can be intentional openings such as doors, windows and loading docks, as well as a building’s unintended openings which compromise its overall tightness, such as cracks and broken seals. External pollutants infiltrate a building through such openings, then the building’s tightness keeps them in. 

4. Type of Airflow  

Unoccupied buildings may only have natural ventilation, while livestock buildings or storage buildings might use industrial fans, and buildings designed for people are equipped with complete HVAC systems. 

5. External temperature changes  

Outdoor temperature changes – both day/night cycle and seasonal changes – dictate what level of insulation is ideal.

6. Insulation Type and Quality 

As discussed, insulation is good for energy efficiency but makes integration of fresh air a challenge. 

Think Ahead 

The absolute best way to ensure healthy air quality is to plan ahead and integrate adequate ventilation in your project from the very start. As Tjong points out, “Indoor air quality is the responsibility of HVAC engineers,” and they will be best enabled to provide that quality when their needs and input are included throughout the design process. Simply include HVAC engineers when you work with your Ceco representative. This way, fenestrations and other necessary roof and penetrations are planned for, as well as structural support for HVAC systems.  

What You Can Do 

We understand that while not everyone is in the midst of a new construction design project, everyone could benefit from better air quality. Simply being aware of everything discussed so far will help you rectify any existing problems – and prevent future ones – while following these simple tips will help even more: 

• Get healthy, fresh air into the building when possible. 
• Establish an effective smoking policy that protects nonsmokers from secondhand smoke. 
• Ensure your HVAC system’s HEPA filtration is changed as directed. 
• Be careful not to place furniture or other obstacles in front of air vents, grilles or intakes. 
• Water and maintain office plants properly to avoid extra moisture – and therefore the development of mold. 
• Dispose of garbage promptly and properly. 
• Pre- and post-occupancy flushing, with exterior air is recommended if your system is capable of it.
• Be mindful of the unintended consequences of excessive cleaning product usage. 

Also, be wary of unsubstantiated claims of many air “purifiers” on the market that claim to kill COVID-19 or purify the air through unproven means. At best, these will be an expense that accomplishes nothing. At worst, they can exacerbate indoor pollutants. For instance, ionizers generate ozone. This is unhealthy on its own, but it’s also highly reactive and can combine with other airborne substances to create harmful VOCs like formaldehyde and acrolein. 

There are steps everyone can take to improve air quality and incrementally improve the health of both buildings and the people who live, work, shop and play inside them. To learn more about how Ceco can assist in designing a custom metal building with the latest in air quality features, reach out to your Ceco representative today. 

When architects and building designers think of metal construction, many tend to assume they’re limited to four walls and a roof – basic construction essentially amounting to a box. With advances over the past few decades in every facet of metal construction, nothing could be further from reality. The capabilities and versatility of metal construction have improved drastically, pushing the boundaries of design and surpassing the expectations of architects, designers, builders and clients alike.  

Complex projects like retail establishments, car dealerships, schools and large sporting facilities, which were once thought to be limited to the realm of conventional construction, are now being produced more quickly and efficiently using metal construction methods. 

Customers Come First 

This paradigm shift hasn’t occurred simply because it’s possible, but because customers are demanding more sophistication and complexity in their buildings. They want more than a box. Many want an architecturally pleasing and impressive building, flooded with natural light. Others need a manufacturing facility requiring complex structural specifications for important components like top-running cranes. Oftentimes, municipalities are also demanding more cosmetically appealing buildings for plan approvals. 

Of course, increased complexity can come at an increased cost, but more often than not, it’s worth it. There’s a big difference in complexity between a single-slope, four-walled “box building” and an architect-designed, two-story building with hips, valleys, daylighting and cranes. When building designs become complex, it’s best to involve a Ceco representative up front and throughout the process.  

What Qualifies as “Complex”? 

Though we often use the terms “pre-engineered” or “pre-fabricated”, the truth is all Ceco products are custom-made per order. Every building is custom, but the level of customization complexity is determined by the design requirements of the project. It helps to understand which building conditions can result in the project being considered “complex.”  

Complex Building Conditions: 

Complicated Roof Designs 

Hips and valleys on roofs are one of the most common building conditions that lead to a building being considered complex. 

Aesthetic Features 

Architects are usually hired to make a building more striking, and the embellishments and complex geometries they envision can increase the intricacy of the engineering behind the structure. 

Additional Floors 

Whether it’s a second-level mezzanine or a basement, additional floors add to the complexity of a building. 

Auxiliary Loads 

Manufacturing facilities with structurally mounted equipment such as large top running cranes increase the design loading substantially.  

Long Bays 

Increased spacing between vertical supports is becoming an increasingly common building requirement – especially for indoor sporting facilities, warehouses and large churches.  

Codes and Loads 

Code changes and local differences for wind, seismic activity, snow, temperatures, energy and occupancy category may require more of the building. Likewise, collateral loads for ceiling-mounted systems such as lights, ductwork and sprinklers can increase the complexity of the building. 

Hangars 

Buildings built to house aircraft typically need very wide, high-fold doors for aircraft ingress and egress, requiring additional structural supports. 

Energy Efficiency  

Metal construction is often chosen for its superior insulating values, and insulated metal panels further improve R-values. Another way to cut energy costs is through the use of daylighting – bringing as much natural light in as possible. Though technology for including daylighting on a standing-seam roof has improved significantly, it still makes for a more complex design. 

Teamwork 

When your building meets the criteria for a complex building outlined above, the most important step you can take to save time and money is to involve your Ceco representative early and throughout the process. As Scott Schroer, Ceco’s Engineering Director explains, “Engaging with the architect, the owner, and our customer to help value engineer the building is a huge opportunity.” Complex building conditions require custom solutions from our engineering department. Communication is key, because an engineer can spot problems or complications an architect, builder or customer wouldn’t likely be aware of. They also have the experience and expertise to devise clever fixes.  

Modelling Work 

The inclusion of Ceco early on and throughout the process also means we can take advantage of 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM). This software makes a visual model representing all the complex, interrelated parts of a building’s plan, from the framing and envelope to mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. This assists all the various trades in foreseeing where these complexities might clash or interfere in reality – so we can avoid problems before they arise. 

Pushing The Envelope Together 

Metal construction can be more sophisticated and elegant than ever before – while still meeting and exceeding specific practical requirements. We just need to work together and communicate well. When we work together, we can push the envelope of metal construction and continue to surprise and impress visitors and clients alike. Contact your Ceco representative to get this important group conversation started as early as possible. 

Peanut butter and jelly. Cheese and wine. Bacon and eggs. Some things just pair perfectly – like stone and steel. At Ceco, we know just how much the rich textures of stone can add to the curb appeal and natural appearance of our steel buildings, so when you work with us you get the benefit of multiple veneer stone suppliers in one resource, making it easier than ever for your projects to be enhanced by this natural pairing. 

Nothing can enhance the curb appeal quite like the rich, organic look of stone – and nothing can blur the boundary between the outdoors and indoors quite like natural stone surfaces. There is something about stone that makes us feel more at home. It seems to call to our ancient, natural instincts. 

Think Twice 

Before you assume that including a stone finish will significantly increase your budget and timeline, you need to understand that veneer stone does not require as much as the traditional masonry exteriors you might be used to. The process has been vastly simplified with manufactured stone, a pigmented concrete product textured to look and feel like natural stone but weigh less than a mere 15 pounds per square foot. Panels of this stone veneer are installed over a plywood or OSB substrate on top of insulated metal buildings, so the insulation and vapor barrier are already in place. That means the cost of cladding a building in stone veneer is 10-30% lower than traditional masonry products, such as natural stone or brick. 

It is a handsome, elegant solution, hence the name: Stoneworks. 

Up Your Game 

Stone cladding can become a striking focal point, completely changing the character of a building and altering the impressions of clients, visitors and employees. The shadows, textures and depth created by stone make any building blend beautifully with natural surroundings – or bring the serenity of nature into a more urban or industrial setting. To further integrate organic surroundings, our eight manufacturing facilities across the nation create a wide array of stone veneer products in shapes, colors and textures inspired by regional geography and geology.  

Ceco can now offer an extensive range of stone veneers for engineered metal buildings, from traditional appearances like ledgestone, cut stone and cobble stone to sleek, contemporary modern styles and even more eccentric products like blended, chiseled, rounded and fieldstone. We even offer stone veneer in a brick pattern that is representative of a modular brick system. Though it is technically not a fired clay brick, it is precisely the same size, shape and color – just made from durable concrete and iron oxide pigments.  

Want some inspiration? Check out some of the breathtaking work done for commercial applications, homes and interiors. 

Outside In 

Even if stone is not the right look for your entire building, accent walls or interior stone surfaces bring the outdoors inside – in a stunning, memorable way. A church altar, a rock wall behind a reception desk or a stacked stone fireplace are just a few ideas. Better still, since they are not load bearing or exceedingly heavy, stone veneer panels do not require any structural reinforcement. They can simply be adhered to the existing wall.  

Eric Aitken, Director of Sales and Marketing for Stoneworks explains that one of his favorite features of stone exteriors is that they are maintenance free. “It’s not something that has to be repainted,” says Aitken. To prove it, the products come with a 50-year limited warranty.  

Which of our Stone Solutions is right for your project? Depending on your needs, there is a solution that can help you accomplish your goals. 

Environmental Stoneworks  

Environmental Stoneworks is the only national manufacturer and installer of stone veneer providing a single point of responsibility for your project from start to finish. It is a business built on providing expert in-house installation of Environmental Stoneworks products – plus the expertise to handle any problem or obstacle that might present itself. 

Next Steps 

With your metal construction company and stone provider under the same umbrella, you can expect unprecedented efficiencies. Whatever your project or vision, the best place to begin is with your Ceco representative. He or she can contact a stone expert, communicate the essentials of your project, determine if any architectural drawings or specifications are necessary and provide you with the best answers. Get started today. 

The digitization of nearly everything has radically changed our lives and economies, and the workforce is no exception. Take, for example, the “gig economy” – a labor market in which employers can easily connect with flexible, temporary, freelance workers through an online platform. Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have brought simple, on-demand transit to former transportation deserts. Through the pandemic, platforms like Uber Eats, Postmates and DoorDash put restaurant menus on our phones and food on our doorsteps. Other companies like Shipt and Instacart made it possible to get groceries without setting foot in a supermarket.  

Stop for a moment and imagine the pandemic without the gig economy. And it didn’t only deliver meals, rides and groceries. It also delivered flexible, on-demand jobs and supplemental income to millions of people – during a time when many employers were laying off workers, cutting back on hours and reducing salaries. Ups and downs in employment demand are unpredictable, but the flexibility, mobility and on-demand nature of the gig economy acted as a cushion for what would have been irreparably jarring changes. Whereas most paradigm shifts chart their trajectory in decades, this one has revolutionized our world in the span of a few years. 

It all begs the question, “Why hasn’t the construction industry harnessed the gig economy’s power?” Builders have long hired temporary labor based on project-by-project needs. From general manual laborers to tradesmen like welders, electricians and masons, hiring temporarily and by need is the rule – not the exception.  

Ignoring the digital aspect, you could argue construction is a gig economy – probably one of the world’s oldest gig economies. It just hasn’t gone digital yet. Why not? After all, according to a 2019 report from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) 78% of construction employers find it difficult to staff jobsites, making for more costly and time-consuming projects. 

On one hand, you have an entire industry looking to hire workers on an as-needed basis. On the other, a pool of workers looking for well-paying jobs that are the right fit, at the right time. A digital solution seems like the obvious next step. 

Much of the industry’s labor force is already employed on a project basis. So, it’s clear that the industry is ripe for transformation through the digital gig economy. But no one has figured out how to connect the dots just yet. 

A digital approach to gig work for the construction industry offers many inherent benefits. For the contractor or builder, it offers flexibility, makes startups more feasible, negates talent management overhead, and minimizes recruitment costs and time. As Construction Business Owner noted, when companies can rely on gig workers, they are “able to run leaner operations” than competitors. Hiring during high demand periods, allows them to cut down on payroll costs and increase liquid capital supply to bid on more projects. 

For the worker, it gives them the option to choose the right jobs and the ability to be mobile – to live where the work is, or work wherever their lives take them. 

Angi, HomeAdvisor, TaskRabbit, and Handy have succeeded in doing this for the home handyman market. But as Peter Maglathlin, Co-Founder of Trade Hounds put it, “… the hard-hat-wearing, highly skilled professionals who are building large structures across the country—have largely been unaffected by the emergence of the gig economy. Why is that? I’d argue it’s largely a translation problem. No one has yet succeeded in congregating these workers on one platform by understanding their communication habits and replicating them with technology.”  

Any recruiter will tell you finding and hiring the right person can be time-consuming and expensive. What’s more, most construction workers aren’t on Linkedin. They don’t use traditional résumés or check email regularly. They don’t sit in front of screens all day like many of us. Creating the right platform for them means thinking like them. They prefer to communicate their skill sets via imagery – undeniable proof of their skills and artistry. So the ideal platform would give them the opportunity to showcase their work and develop trustworthy networks. 

Maglathin goes on to reinforce this point, “The company that succeeds in delivering technology that fits the needs for these workers will capture their mind share, which is the critical step in connecting this workforce to employers and job opportunities in general.” There has been movement. According to the Gig Economy Data Hub, 17.2% of gig workers are currently in construction and the trades. 

Of course, there are complications. How can you ensure your digital hire is a skilled, safe, top performer? Star ratings can only tell you so much. JobStack, launched by PeopleReady in 2017, had an answer to this. The app connected employers much the same way as other gig economy apps, but also required workers to apply at a local branch to complete the onboarding process and verify their training, skills and safety knowledge. 

Trouble is also brewing in legislatures across the country. In September 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 5, imposing stringent criteria to differentiate between employees and independent contractors – the latter designation being a crucial one for gig economy companies. Mark Erlich argues in his Spring 2020 Dissent Article, “… in reality, employers misclassify workers simply to save money and minimize accountability.”  

Right now, the arguments attempting to delineate employees from independent contractors are swirling around gig economy workers, but it’s easy to see how the construction industry could be pulled into that storm – especially if it becomes part of the digital gig economy. Erlich argues that labeling a worker an ‘independent contractor’ allows the employer to “evade responsibility” for everything from paying taxes and wage protections to overtime payments, anti-discrimination protections and the right to form a union for collective bargaining. 

But money talks, and right now there seem to be plenty of construction workers happy to wear the title “independent contractor” and forego the bureaucratic entanglements required by being an official “employee.” Why? Because it allows freedom, flexibility and mobility – benefits the gig economy could redouble for them. 

It seems inevitable that a digital solution connecting the construction world and its invaluable workers will appear. It’s just a matter of time. And those who prepare for it will be in the prime position to succeed.