More than 70 per cent of Canadian construction companies had as many or more projects during the first six months of the pandemic compared to pre COVID-19 figures, according to Procore Technology’s inaugural How We Build Now Canada survey.
The How We Build Now Canada survey explored unified technology for on-site and remote workers in today’s safer construction environment.
The nationwide survey was conducted by Procore in collaboration with Bridgit, DocuSign, Giatec, GoToMeeting and Multivista. It drew 340 respondents from general contractors, government, subcontractors, specialty contractors and owners in the construction industry, and was conducted via Typeform between September 29 and October 21.
Despite the challenges created via provincial shut downs and social distancing rmeasures, 10 per cent of construction professionals surveyed report being much more productive than before the pandemic, while 17 per cent are edging ahead of pre-pandemic levels and 44 per cent remain as productive during the pandemic.
The survey also found that 26 per cent of construction professionals were less (24 per cent) or much less (two per cent) productive than before the pandemic. As well, 43 per cent say they expect to increase projects over the next year.
“These results of Procore’s How We Build Now Canada survey provide a snapshot of an industry in transition,” said Jas Saraw, vice president, Canada at Procore. “The high productivity reported is good news for construction, but belied by the continuing challenges of enhanced on-site safety protocols and external factors impacting the industry. Construction is very resilient, and Canadian builders will continue to look for, and implement, new solutions that will propel them through the pandemic.”
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In spite of being able to adapt to new regulations and procedures, survey results show construction organizations need to better align employees to work efficiently on-site and remotely by using technology such as a unified platform that contains all information in one place. Procore found that 83 per cent of respondents agree they would employ a single, integrated platform technology, drawn by the benefits of more transparency, visibility and collaboration across projects.
Almost 70 per cent of respondents believe that post pandemic, the construction industry would excel with one platform that connects all their people, projects and tools to increase productivity and efficiency, reduce reworks and delays, improve safety and compliance and provide more financial transparency.
Other key survey findings include:
- 27 per cent of the respondents shifted between 76 and 100 per cent of their staff in the months after COVID-19.
- 77 per cent of Canadian builders plan to maintain some or all new safety measures post-pandemic.
- 55 per cent of construction firms say they will spend the next 12 months dealing with the uncertainty of COVID-19, with about a third of respondents still challenged by having to maintain social distancing and safe working conditions.
- 88 per cent believe technology will either play a key role in the future of construction or will be the backbone of the construction industry.
When asked the key success factors for postCOVID-19, 64 per cent cited increased productivity and efficiency – issues that transcend the pandemic.
However, the impact of the pandemic shows in the fact that 53 per cent feel the ability to work remotely will be a key success factor, and 38 per cent realize improved safety and compliance will be critical going forward. Procore is a provider of construction management software.
More than 1 million projects and more than US$1 trillion in construction volume have run on Procore’s platform. The platform connects every project stakeholder to solutions built specifically for the construction industry. Headquartered in California, Procore has offices in Canada and around the globe.
