Builder Answers

By Marcus Kirkwood

Pop Quiz:
What are the two least digitally advanced industries in the world?

1. Agriculture
2. Construction

According to McKinsey, of the 22 industries studied, construction has the second lowest level of growth, falling well behind government work (ouch), mining and wholesale trade (whatever that means).* The only things we aren’t behind are pigs, cows and corn fields. But who cares right?

We all should, and BuilderAnswers.com does. It might be the easiest to use, answer at the ready, no more embarrassing questions for your boss or link clicking on Google, tool a contractor can use. And it’s free. But I digress.
If we think our productivity matters, something has to change. Who’s not sick of hearing that lingo on their job: “we’ve got to improve our productivity if we’re going to hit this schedule.”

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics gave us a bit of hope, with 1.5% increases in productivity (after 1.5% decreases the previous 12 years) before things came tumbling down in highway, road and bridge construction.** These numbers are tough to look at:

To put this in perspective, most studies show we’ve seen a 1% improvement in productivity in the last 120 years of construction…combined. That means we still build relatively the same way we did in 1903. 1903!!! Dr. Seuss wasn’t even born yet.

All we’re asking for is a little growth, call it 1% each year (channel your inner James Clear, think Atomic Habits). Start off small so we can catch up. The trades need it. They’re desperate for it. If we have any chance of attracting young talent to jump back in the trades some form of technology and growth need to create that appeal.

Take a minute to reassess your company’s strategies for tech adoption, specifically regarding project management and day to day tracking. And while you’re at it, take a look at BuilderAnswers.com. We recently took on a partnership as a sponsor to help keep their tool free. It might just become your sidekick and the key to a 1% more productive day.