Construction industry trends for 2026

What to expect in 2026

2026 is shaping up to be a year where digital transformation, sustainability and human-centred practices emerge. Drawing on recent industry research and expert forecasts, here are the main trends that construction companies should watch out for.

1. Digital Twins become industry standard

Digital twins have been gaining momentum for years, but 2026 will mark the point where they move from emerging technology to an industry standard across major construction projects. Unlike BIM, which provides a design-stage model, digital twins act as live, data-driven replicas of buildings, infrastructure or other systems. Using sensors, AI analytics or cloud computing, digital twins now allow teams to:

• Monitor structural performance in real time
• Detect issues before they become costly failures
• Simulate energy usage, airflow, or environmental conditions
• Track progress against design 
• Optimise maintenance planning 

The reason behind this acceleration is because clients are now demanding more transparency, predictability and lifecycle data across construction projects. As regulations tighten around carbon emissions, digital twins give contractors the data needed to stay compliant and competitive. 

2. Automation, robotics, drones: modern methods of construction 

2026 is set to see continued acceleration in automation: robotics handling masonry, welding layout or repetitive tasks; autonomous heavy-equipment for excavation and groundworks; and drones used for site surveying, inspection and progress tracking. 

As these kinds of innovations become more common, it has now grown beyond addressing workforce gaps – new roles are emerging such as robotics operators, digital construction analysts, drone survey specialists and digital twin architects. 

Companies willing to invest in modern methods of automation, or partnering with suppliers using them, could see significantly faster project delivery, lower labour overheads and better consistency. 

3. Workforce challenges, skills shifts and a focus on wellbeing

Labour shortage remains a critical issue for 2026 – despite the rise of automation and digital construction assistance, many companies report difficulty recruiting skilled trades. Human talent is still needed!

As we touched upon above, new-age skills and opportunities are in increasing demand. Knowledge in digital construction, data analytics, modular build logistics, robotics supervision and smart-site management are becoming increasingly valuable to companies. 

There is also a growing emphasis on worker safety, health and wellbeing. New safety technologies such as sensor-based monitoring, AI risk detection, and wearable devices are becoming mainstream to reduce accidents and improve safety culture. 

Construction companies need to treat their workforce as assets. Investing in training, flexible contracts, safety tools and employee wellbeing will pay off – not just in compliance, but in long-term retention and quality.

4. Regulatory pressure for sustainability and low-carbon materials

Environmental and regulatory pressure continues to push sustainability centre-stage. In 2026, contractors and suppliers will be increasingly expected to provide environmental product declarations, life-cycle data and carbon accounting transparency. 

The embrace of low-carbon or recycled materials, such as low-carbon concrete, cross-laminated timber, and recycled steel, is rising along with modern methods that help to reduce waste, such as prefab and off-site manufacturing. 

More broadly, digital construction and maintenance is becoming the standard, along with automated tracking of emissions, and performance over a building’s lifecycle. 

Sustainability is no longer a “nice-to-have” – it’s becoming a core requirement. Companies unwilling to comply and make the changes needed risk being excluded from projects or losing competitiveness with eco-conscious clients.

5. Supply chain resilience, power shifts and smarter procurement

As demand grows for low-carbon, certified and digital materials, the power balance in build projects is shifting; contractors and suppliers who can meet digital and environmental standards gain more influence over specifications

Off-site manufacturing helps reduce reliance on global supply chains which in turn reduces lead times, transportation costs and exposure to supply-chain disruptions, like we’ve witnessed over the past few years. 

Procurement strategies therefore must evolve. Companies that can reliably supply digitally-documented, low-carbon materials and integrate with modern digital materials workflows will hold a significant advantage, especially on larger or publicly funded projects. 

Final thoughts

2026 promised to be a milestone year for construction. The convergence of digital transformation, sustainability requirements, automation and human-centric workforce practices is redefining how we build and operate. 

Companies that embrace automation, commit to sustainable materials and supply practices, and invest in their workforce’s skills and wellbeing will likely lead the pack. 

By staying ahead of the curve, construction businesses can not only survive the years to come, they can thrive, differentiate themselves and deliver better projects for clients, communities, and the planet.

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