When most people think about technology, smartphones, tablets and websites may come to mind. Construction probably isn’t the first thing that occurs to them. However, construction and homebuilding have been significantly impacted by technology, and technology is making new homes better in several ways.

Building Materials

Building materials have changed by leaps and bounds from the early days of construction. Many years ago, building materials were not an exact science. They were often over-engineered simply because no one was sure of their strengths and weaknesses. In many cases, building materials weren’t efficient or cost-effective.

These days, with nondestructive testing, composite materials, virtual stress testing and more, the materials we use to build houses can be lighter, more efficient and less costly, and they can still deliver homes that perform better in every way.

There’s also a marked shift toward homebuilding that uses green building methods and materials, so your new home can be better for you and the environment!

Design Tools

Today, digital design tools allow homebuilders and other construction industry players to design virtually anything more accurately and with more options than ever before. From insulation to lighting, paint colors to furniture placement, there are countless tools that can help you and your homebuilder plan your home. In addition to numerous online tools you can use, many homebuilders will have a design section on their website that allows you to preview your options.

Estimating and Planning

Modern-day estimating and project management software makes it easy to calculate costs and time requirements for any project, to track changes and to figure out where to correct issue when things don’t go according to plan. It’s never been easier to keep track of project costs and timeframes than it is now, thanks to modern technology.

Virtual Walkthroughs

Many years ago, buying a house off plan meant you had to either visualize what the finished product would look like yourself or visit a show home. Today, you can be on the other side of the world and take a virtual tour of the floor plans you’re considering.

Communications

It has never been easier for building contractors to stay in touch with their clients. Whether through email or video calling, it’s simple to stay in touch with your homebuilder, to check progress on your build and to make important decisions when they need to be made.

Good Contractors Take Advantage

Good homebuilding contractors take advantage of all the time-saving, design and planning tools they can to cut overall costs, speed up construction and deliver a better finished product. They use the best materials from suppliers who employ the latest technology in their product design, and they offer customers all the information they need to make informed decisions.