Home Builder Technology Trends for 2024

04/03/2024

Technology is impacting every industry like never before, and the construction industry is no different. 

Although the home building and remodeling industry is notoriously slow when it comes to adopting new technologies, in 2024 it finally seems to be catching up. 

Large construction firms tend to be the first to adopt the latest home building trends. Fortunately, more and more of these technologies are now accessible to residential construction companies, new home builders, contractors, and remodelers like you.

So what are some of the hottest home builder technology trends for 2024? From the latest construction software to advancements in 3D technology, this 7-minute read covers everything you need to know:

  • How modern technology can benefit you and your business
  • 11 trends you should consider getting on board with in 2024 and beyond

Let’s start with how this tech can help you and your business.

Technology for Home Builders – Why It’s Worth Staying Up to Date

Construction projects usually involve countless hours of tedious planning and hard manual labor. Fortunately, modern technology can help streamline just about every part of a construction project. 

Here are a few concrete benefits of jumping on board with modern home building trends in the construction industry.

Easier Planning: A lot of residential contractors still rely on confusing spreadsheets, group emails, and complicated CAD software for project planning. 

But modern construction software solutions help consolidate your entire project planning process into one easy-to-use program. 

Better Budgeting: Creating estimates for new home builds and remodels is usually a tedious process. You know how it goes…you spend hours creating takeoffs from the building plans which you then compare to current material prices. 

But current tech trends are making it easier than ever to create accurate construction estimates and budgets. And with a more accurate budget, you’re less likely to go over budget and lose out on profits. 

Faster Business Growth: More construction firms than ever are relying on modern technology to grow their business and land more clients. 

With the internet, digital marketing, and social media, it’s easier than ever to promote your business to a huge group of people.

And with modern software that helps you create stunning 3D home plans that impress clients, you can finally start closing more deals.

More Sustainable Buildings: In recent years, a growing number of clients have been looking for green buildings and sustainable materials that create less of an impact on the environment. Fortunately, new technology makes it easier, even for small construction firms, to design and build environmentally-friendly buildings. 

Easier project planning, better budgeting, faster growth, sustainable construction…want your business to reap those benefits?

Check out the next section with some new construction trends that help you do just that.

Check out 11 of the hottest tech trends for home builders in 2024.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Machine Learning

One of the most exciting new technology trends in the green building space is the ability to calculate a building’s carbon footprint.

About This Trend: AI and machine learning are revolutionizing the home building industry (and it seems like every other industry!) in 2024 by making data analysis and decision-making more efficient. 

These technologies enable predictive analytics, which can forecast project delays, budget overruns, and even the outcomes of different design choices. Really, AI can help with virtually every aspect of a project — project management, negotiating,  predictive maintenance, takeoffs, building performance, and more.

This trend reflects the industry’s shift towards more data-driven approaches to minimize risks and enhance project outcomes.

How It Can Help You: To leverage AI and machine learning, start by integrating software that offers predictive analytics into your project management tools. This can help you anticipate issues before they arise, optimize your scheduling, and better manage resources. 

You can also use AI-based platforms that analyze historical data to refine your cost estimates and project timelines. This helps you create more accurate bids and that helps you maintain healthy profit margins.

Drones – Site Scanning, Inspections & More!

About This Trend: Construction drones are becoming indispensable in the home building sector, especially in 2024. They offer unparalleled advantages in surveying and inspections as well as monitoring construction progress. 

The ability to capture high-resolution images and videos from difficult-to-reach areas also makes drones a powerful tool for precise site analysis and safety inspections.

How It Can Help You: Incorporate drone technology for large site surveys to enhance your planning precision and safety protocols. Use drones to create detailed topographical maps, monitor construction progress, and inspect hard-to-reach areas. 

This not only speeds up the inspection process but also improves the accuracy of your site assessments. This, in turn, leads to better decision-making and improved client presentations.

Cloud-Based Construction Technology Solutions

About This Trend: Cloud-based construction technology solutions, especially BIM (Building Information Technology) and 3D design and rendering software, are a major trend in 2024. 

These solutions allow for real-time collaboration, easy access to projects from anywhere, and the ability to make quick updates to designs. This flexibility and efficiency are why cloud-based solutions are becoming the norm in the home building industry.


How It Can Help You: Embrace cloud-based 3D design and rendering software like Cedreo to streamline your design process. Platforms like Cedreo let you quickly generate photorealistic renderings for client presentations and make design alterations on the fly.

Smart Home Tech

About This Trend: According to one survey, almost 67 million homes in the US use smart home devices in 2024. So it’s easy to see why smart home tech and IoT (Internet of Things) have become a crucial aspect of new home construction. 

In 2024, integrating smart home systems into new builds is expected not just for luxury projects but across all market segments. This trend is driven by consumer demand for convenience, security, and energy efficiency.


How It Can Help You: Incorporate smart home technology solutions in your projects to meet growing consumer expectations and add value to your builds. Partner with smart home tech providers to offer your clients a range of options — from basic security systems to comprehensive home automation packages. This makes your projects more attractive and future-proof.

Carbon Footprint Calculator

About This Trend: The focus on sustainability has led to the development of tools like carbon footprint calculators for the construction industry. These tools emphasize the shift toward greener building practices by assessing the environmental impact of building materials and practices.

How It Can Help You: Use carbon footprint calculators to evaluate and reduce the environmental impact of your projects. This not only helps in making more environmentally friendly decisions but also appeals to a growing segment of eco-conscious clients. 

Also, educating your team and clients about the benefits of selecting materials with lower carbon footprints can differentiate your business as a leader in sustainable building practices.

3D Renderings

3d exterior rendering

About This Trend: 3D rendering technology lets you create highly realistic images of proposed designs, which makes it easier for your clients to visualize their new homes. The latest software advancements mean that builders of all skill levels can create stunning visuals without specialized training.

How It Can Help You: Leverage software like Cedreo to produce photorealistic 3D renderings quickly and easily. This capability can significantly enhance your proposal presentations and allow your clients to envision their future homes more vividly. 

Incorporating 3D renderings into your workflow can also streamline client approvals and facilitate more effective communication about design choices.

3D Home Printing

About This Trend: 3D-printed homes have emerged as a significant trend. It offers a novel approach to constructing homes by printing them layer by layer with concrete or other materials. This method promises to revolutionize the building process by reducing construction time, waste, and costs.

How It Can Help You: Explore partnerships with 3D printing companies to offer innovative construction options. This technology can help you stand out in the market, reduce project timelines, and potentially lower costs. 

Highlighting your use of 3D home printing can also attract clients interested in cutting-edge construction methods.

Disaster Simulation Software

About This Trend: According to one report, 57% of all structures in the US are at risk from natural disasters. So it’s easy to see why disaster simulation software has become essential for home builders. This software can model the impact of various natural events on buildings, aiding in the design of more resilient structures.


How It Can Help You: If you live in disaster-prone areas, consider implementing disaster simulation software to inform your design decisions and ensure that new constructions are better equipped to withstand natural disasters. This not only enhances the safety and durability of the homes you build but also positions your business as a leader in responsible and forward-thinking construction practices.

Easy-to-Use Estimating Software

About This Trend: Easy-to-use estimating software streamlines the estimation process — from takeoffs to final bids. This makes them a smart choice for builders aiming to keep projects within budget and on schedule.


How It Can Help You: Embrace estimating software that integrates with your design tools. This combination allows for seamless design-to-estimate workflows that provide unparalleled accuracy and efficiency.

Smart Glass

About This Trend: Smart glass technology, which allows windows to change their light transmission properties, is a rapidly growing trend in home construction. It offers enhanced energy efficiency, privacy, and comfort.

How It Can Help You: Incorporating smart glass into your building projects can significantly increase the marketability and energy efficiency of the homes you build. 

Offer clients the option of smart glass for windows and skylights to enhance the aesthetic appeal and functional value of their homes. This helps differentiate your services in the competitive home-building market.

Modular Prefab Systems

Tiny house example

About This Trend: Modular and prefab construction has surged in popularity due to its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. This method involves manufacturing sections of a home in a factory setting and then assembling them on-site. This method significantly reduces construction time and waste.


How It Can Help You: Leverage modular prefab systems to offer faster, more affordable home-building solutions. This approach not only streamlines the construction process but also appeals to clients looking for sustainable building options. Incorporating prefab systems into your offerings can expand your market reach and meet the growing demand for eco-friendly construction methods.

Conclusion

Ready to take full advantage of some of 2024’s biggest technology trends for home builders?

While not all may be available to your business, there are some you can start using today, like CEDREO. 

With Cedreo home design software you can create professional and realistic 3D renderings even if you don’t have any 3D design experience.

Plus, you’ve got access to Cedreo’s entire set of home design tools.

  • Design an entire house in 2 hours
  • View plans in 2D and 3D simultaneously
  • Use the Enterprise plan for streamlined team collaboration
  • Win more clients with stunning 3D project proposals

Start using it today and see why 1,000s of other home builders have already made the switch to Cedreo.