Matthew Gibbons is a Senior Data & Tech Writer at WebFX, where he strives to help businesses understand niche and complex marketing topics related to SEO, martech, and more. With a B.A. in Professional and Public Writing from Auburn University, he’s written over 1,000 marketing guides and video scripts since joining the company in 2020. In addition to the WebFX blog, you can find his work on SEO.com, Nutshell, TeamAI, and the WebFX YouTube channel. When he’s not pumping out fresh blog posts and articles, he’s usually fueling his Tolkien obsession or working on his latest creative project.
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Staying on top of construction industry trends is crucial for getting ahead of your competition. We’ve got the inside scoop on the latest construction trends you’ll want to know for 2026!
Like every year, 2026 brings a variety of new construction trends. And on this page, we’ll go over some of the most important ones to know. Tracking these trends allows you to keep up with the competition and get ahead.
Keep reading for 13 of the biggest 2026 construction industry trends, including:
In nearly every business sector, AI technology is being integrated into business processes. That goes for construction as well. One reason for that is that AI tools serve as a partial solution to the ongoing labor shortage.
Since construction firms are having trouble obtaining new workers, they need to find ways to make their processes more efficient with the workforce they have. Construction firms can leverage AI to help with processes like:
Improving project design for efficiency
Optimizing worker schedules and construction planning
Cutting down on project costs
Improving safety and compliance
Quality assurance
The website homepage for OpenSpace software.
There is some hesitancy to adopt this technology, though. Many construction firms are concerned with the safety and security of using AI platforms. So, while this is a construction trend for 2026, adoption will likely take time while construction firms figure out the best (and safest) use cases.
2. Sustainable and efficient building
With environmental issues being the focus of so many conversations in recent years, it’s no surprise that sustainable building continues to be a trend for 2026. For construction companies, the focus is on balancing sustainability with efficiency.
Adopting a green approach is challenging — it requires planning and use of different materials, which can delay projects. So, this year will be all about finding ways to continue using sustainable building practices, but also building these structures efficiently.
3. Climate-adaptative builds
Not only is sustainability a big building industry trend, but so are climate-adaptive builds. Climate-adaptive building involves creating build designs that can withstand extreme weather, like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. As these weather events become more extreme, this trend will only continue to grow.
That means your construction company will need to focus on things like fire-resistant materials, elevating structures in flood areas, and using materials that can withstand stress from climate, depending on where you’re located.
4. 3D printing
One of the biggest contracting trends in 2026 is 3D printing. That’s not unique to the construction industry — other industries, like manufacturing, are also realizing the benefits of 3D printing.
Construction companies have found that they can 3D print many of the materials they need for their work. One of the best things about construction 3D printing is that you can do it using a variety of materials, including concrete and fiber.
3D printing also requires less time and less labor than more traditional tools. You don’t have to hire as many people to do the job, and you can get your parts ready for use much faster.
5. Virtual design
Virtual design continues to trend for 2026 as technology develops and becomes an integral part of the construction industry. With virtual design, you use software to simulate the structures you want to build. It helps ensure that everything fits together and the structure is stable.
Leveraging virtual design can help with making building processes more efficient. A simulation tool like FlexSim or MATLAB can help you identify instabilities or problems in your design, allowing you to correct them before you even start to build.
You can even hook simulators up to virtual reality software that lets you view the digital structure from an up-close, first-person perspective. That makes virtual design one of the most valued contracting trends.
6. Drone technology
Drones have certainly made the rounds in recent years as a multi-industry trend, with companies using them to deliver packages and perform surveillance. And in 2026, construction companies are finding a use for them, too.
Contractors are using drones to survey construction sites and measure materials. When it comes to surveying sites, a drone can give you a better perspective than someone walking around on the ground. It can also provide faster, more accurate material measurements.
As a final bonus, using drones for tasks that human workers would otherwise perform can help you minimize on-site injuries.
7. Modular construction
Modular construction, also called prefabrication, is one of the biggest construction trends in 2026. If you’re not familiar with it, modular construction is where contractors assemble large pieces of a building offsite and bring them to the construction site afterward.
One of the main benefits of modular construction is that it minimizes clutter and chaos on construction sites, since most of the small-scale work occurs elsewhere. On the site itself, you’re simply connecting the larger pieces you’ve already built. That can help improve site safety.
On top of that, prefabrication can help minimize waste and save you money. That makes it a very efficient construction method, so it’s no surprise that it’s such a big contracting industry trend.
Construction marketing trends for 2026
In addition to general industry trends, let’s take a look at some construction trends specifically related to marketing. For your construction firm to grow in 2026, it’s crucial to market yourself effectively, and that means keeping up with all the latest trends.
Here are some of the top trends in construction marketing to look out for:
Here’s some more detailed information about each of those.
1. Ramping up local SEO efforts
One of the biggest construction marketing trends for 2026 is to ramp up your local SEO efforts.
When you consider that 46% of Google searches are for local businesses, you can’t miss the opportunity to reach people who conduct local searches for construction industry companies. Not to mention, most people seeking out construction equipment or a contractor are searching in their local area, so leveraging local SEO is a must.
So, what can you do to prepare for this construction marketing trend? Here are a few ways to optimize your local SEO:
Localized FAQs are of particular value, as they help your content show up in AI responses within local search. For example, Google’s “Ask Maps” feature within Google Maps is likely to draw from your website to answer questions users have about your company.
Expert insights from
Rebekah L.Internet Marketing Consultant at WebFX
“In 2026, hyperlocalized content will be key for construction businesses. Optimizing for local searches and building localized FAQs will drive visibility and connect companies with clients in specific service areas, ensuring they’re found when and where they’re needed.”
Ultimately, optimizing your local presence in search engines is an excellent way to help you reach more people looking for your construction company.
2. Leveraging AI in marketing
Not only is AI making its way into general construction automation, but it’s also trending for marketing. AI is a great resource for increasing your marketing efficiency and saving time with marketing projects.
You can use AI to help with:
Identifying keywords to target on your website to improve rankings
Optimizing bid amounts to maximize budget
Analyzing campaign performance data to uncover insights
And more!
Leveraging AI is a construction marketing trend you can’t ignore if you’re looking to increase your company’s marketing efficiency and save time.
3. Investing in marketing software
Another big construction marketing trend for 2026 is investing in marketing software. Data is becoming a valuable (and crucial) component of digital marketing — you need to leverage your data to get a better return on investment (ROI) from your marketing.
Leveraging marketing software, like RevenueCloudFX, enables you to track your campaign performance, keep tabs on your ROI, and more. Not only do you have a better understanding of how your existing campaigns perform, but you can also leverage your data to create better campaigns going forward.
PMAX is a goal-based campaign type that enables advertisers to access all of their Google Ads inventory from a single campaign. It utilizes machine learning to help optimize ad copy, placement, and bids, and to improve results for those ads.
Running localized PMAX campaigns is a great way to drive more local and qualified traffic for your construction company. Not only are these ads optimized, but they’re an affordable option for driving qualified leads for your construction business.
5. Preparing for generative engine optimization (GEO)
When it comes to construction marketing ideas and trends, GEO is a big one. In today’s online landscape, Google isn’t the only place people go for answers. With AI generative platforms continuing to develop, people are leveraging a mix of search engines and generative AI platforms to get information.
That’s where GEO comes into play. GEO involves optimizing for AI-based search tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google’s AI Overviews. The goal is to improve visibility in these AI search results, so you can increase brand awareness and drive traffic to your business.
So, how do you prepare for GEO? Follow best practices like:
Creating high-quality content that answers user queries directly
Leveraging facts, case studies, and other information within your website content
Building up your brand online to create trust and increase the likelihood of appearing in generative search results
Having a GEO strategy (in combination with a construction SEO strategy) will help you increase brand visibility across platforms and enable you to meet people no matter where they’re searching.
6. Integrating videos
To wrap up this list of construction marketing trends, let’s talk about integrating videos. More and more people are consuming video content –– the total time spent watching videos has increased 249% in five years. So, across all industries, video marketing is taking a greater foothold.
If you want to get the most from your construction marketing in 2026, you’ll want to integrate videos into your marketing strategy.
Short-form video content is one of the most popular forms in 2026 and can be a great way to share information fast. You can use videos to show off your products, your team, and what your company does.
You can also opt to create educational videos, like how to have a safe construction site or how to operate a piece of equipment correctly.
Overall, integrating video content is a great way for you to see success with your construction marketing efforts in 2026.
As part of the construction industry trends, there are also challenges that are “trending” for 2026. Here are some of the biggest challenges the construction industry is facing:
Labor shortages: Much of the construction workforce is aging out and there aren’t many skilled workers to replace them. In fact, the construction industry will need 723,000 new workers each year to meet construction project demands.
Rise of material costs: Many materials, like concrete and steel, are rising in cost. Global supply chains are seeing disruptions, which is impacting the cost of materials. That can lead to project delays, budget issues, and less room for profit.
Technology adoption gaps: Construction companies across the country lack the infrastructure or training to adopt new technologies, like AI or drones. Many construction companies will fall behind those that have the infrastructure to adapt to these changes.
Regulatory codes changing: Many building codes and regulations are changing, with energy and safety codes becoming stricter. Things like heat illness prevention and stricter PPE regulations will impact construction companies across the spectrum.
The construction business model landscape is continually changing. Things like design-build and public-private partnerships are becoming even more popular. Additionally, many construction companies are expanding into offering turnkey services to help build their customer base.
Another trend in this area is consolidation. Many larger construction firms are acquiring smaller ones. That means that the competition pool will continually change for your construction company.
One of the most talked about trends in building construction is technology. With things like AI coming to the forefront, it begs the question — how is technology changing the construction industry?
Technology is revolutionizing the construction industry and allowing firms like yours to do more. Some of the biggest technology trends include:
AI-driven tools, like OpenSpace or Buildots, to help with building design
Robotics, like TyBot, to help simplify tedious construction tasks
Drones, to help with surveying construction sites
This technology will help construction firms become more efficient in their work.
Learn how to take advantage of construction trends with WebFX
Following the 2026 construction industry trends listed above can help you keep up with your competitors and drive more revenue. But bear in mind that there’s no better revenue driver than a good marketing campaign — and that’s why you should consider partnering with WebFX.
While you’re managing other areas of your business and implementing the contracting industry trends listed above, we can handle your digital marketing and get your company in front of the right prospects. Our digital marketing services will drive more clients and revenue for you.
Craft a tailored online marketing strategy! Utilize our free Internet marketing calculator for a custom plan based on your location, reach, timeframe, and budget.
Craft a tailored online marketing strategy! Utilize our free Internet marketing calculator for a custom plan based on your location, reach, timeframe, and budget.
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As part of the construction industry trends, there are also challenges that are “trending” for 2026. Here are some of the biggest challenges the construction industry is facing:
Labor shortages: Much of the construction workforce is aging out and there aren’t many skilled workers to replace them. In fact, the construction industry will need 723,000 new workers each year to meet construction project demands.
Rise of material costs: Many materials, like concrete and steel, are rising in cost. Global supply chains are seeing disruptions, which is impacting the cost of materials. That can lead to project delays, budget issues, and less room for profit.
Technology adoption gaps: Construction companies across the country lack the infrastructure or training to adopt new technologies, like AI or drones. Many construction companies will fall behind those that have the infrastructure to adapt to these changes.
Regulatory codes changing: Many building codes and regulations are changing, with energy and safety codes becoming stricter. Things like heat illness prevention and stricter PPE regulations will impact construction companies across the spectrum.
The construction business model landscape is continually changing. Things like design-build and public-private partnerships are becoming even more popular. Additionally, many construction companies are expanding into offering turnkey services to help build their customer base.
Another trend in this area is consolidation. Many larger construction firms are acquiring smaller ones. That means that the competition pool will continually change for your construction company.
One of the most talked about trends in building construction is technology. With things like AI coming to the forefront, it begs the question — how is technology changing the construction industry?
Technology is revolutionizing the construction industry and allowing firms like yours to do more. Some of the biggest technology trends include:
AI-driven tools, like OpenSpace or Buildots, to help with building design
Robotics, like TyBot, to help simplify tedious construction tasks
Drones, to help with surveying construction sites
This technology will help construction firms become more efficient in their work.
Matthew Gibbons is a Senior Data & Tech Writer at WebFX, where he strives to help businesses understand niche and complex marketing topics related to SEO, martech, and more. With a B.A. in Professional and Public Writing from Auburn University, he’s written over 1,000 marketing guides and video scripts since joining the company in 2020. In addition to the WebFX blog, you can find his work on SEO.com, Nutshell, TeamAI, and the WebFX YouTube channel. When he’s not pumping out fresh blog posts and articles, he’s usually fueling his Tolkien obsession or working on his latest creative project.
