Top 3 Trends That Will Impact the Construction Industry in 2021

It hasn't been a good year for the construction industry, but companies are looking forward to a more hopeful year ahead. Everywhere around the country, many businesses have suffered because of the pandemic. While some were able to operate on a limited scale, construction sites have to make do with reduced revenues. And since public health and safety is the top priority right now, most large-scale projects had to slow down or stop entirely.

Many countries around the world like New Zealand and Australia were able to control the spread of the virus. While the same cannot be said about other developed nations, the vaccine's availability is making everyone more hopeful for 2021. So if you're looking out for trends in 2021 that will impact the construction industry as a whole, here are several possibilities.

1. There will be renewed interest in rural developments

The pandemic has made working from home not only a trend but a long-term possibility. Although opposed to it at first, many companies, later on, realised that there are many benefits to remote work. Not only did they save operational costs, but workers tend to be less stressed when they work in the comfort of their homes. As such, there's a greater possibility of people migrating back to their home towns instead of crowding in the city.

The UK government has long invested in rural development. But the higher demand for construction projects outside the capital will likely increase in the coming year. And for local Lancashire plant hire companies, this trend will benefit not only construction companies but also services that provide the equipment and materials needed in construction projects.

2. Multipurpose living spaces

Home design in the coming years will focus on versatility. Instead of designing and building rooms that serve a single purpose, more homes will be constructed and designed with a multipurpose concept. For instance, an open floor concept provides the homeowner with the flexibility to decide what to do with space. One area may be converted into an office by simply putting up a sliding wall. Later on, this same office may be turned into a workroom or a playroom for a young child.

Multipurpose living space is not only cost-effective but also helps the homeowner maximise the available space during different stages in their lives. From being young professionals to parents to retired individuals, redecorating and redesigning is not as difficult when rooms aren't made for only one purpose.

3. Health safety and hygiene are selling points for new properties

For contractors engaged in future building projects, a good concept to keep in mind is the addition of features that promote hygiene. One thing that we learned from this pandemic is that even the basic practices of health and hygiene can save lives. As such, many new developments, such as office buildings will likely feature touch-free facilities. Water taps, elevator doors, and vending machines, for example, are only a few of the common things that will undergo a significant upgrade to prevent frequent touching and cross-contamination between occupants. This same trend will also likely be used in building new residential homes.