Due to a variety of factors, drywall construction costs continue to rise. Today, drywall construction for an entire home can cost as much as $5,6001, including the costs of labor and materials. But that doesn't account for errors and other issues that could affect projects. As a result, drywallers and other professionals seek means of combating rising drywall construction costs using the latest technologies to facilitate automation.
In learning how to reduce drywall costs with construction automation, drywallers are turning to construction layout robots and other technological solutions that can boost productivity and efficiency while reducing errors. Here, you'll discover how the right advancements can help drywallers, VDCs, and project managers in the construction industry maximize overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness with automated solutions.
The Rising Costs of Drywall Construction
Recent global supply chain disruptions continue to impact the construction industry, including drywall construction. For example, these disruptions have contributed to higher drywall material costs. Specific cost increases include raw materials and handling delays in the transportation of materials.
In addition, the labor market has observed a change in dynamics. Shortages in skilled trades have led to higher wages and, subsequently, increased labor costs. Meanwhile, other contributing factors, such as changing regulations and general inflation, further increase drywall costs.
What's Causing the Cost to Increase for Interior Traders?
As mentioned, the global supply chain has experienced disruptions that have led to skyrocketing costs in the interior trades, along with labor shortages. As a result, drywall pricing has seen an upward trend. Overall, the cost of drywall installation has increased by 2.4% from 2021 to 20242. Also, these disruptions have lengthened project timelines while restricting budgets, and traders have struggled to source materials and mitigate certain risks.
Tighter policies and increasing tariffs have also contributed to increased costs. As such, combating rising drywall construction costs is now more important than ever.
The Role of Automation in Construction
As costs rise, contractors, drywallers, and others are discovering how to reduce drywall costs with construction automation. Technological advancements like layout navigators and layout robots help automate layout processes to minimize the need for human intervention. At the same time, they also increase overall project efficiency.
Combating rising drywall construction costs will become easier as industry professionals continue to adopt this technology. Ultimately, adoption is paving the way for a more digitized and automated construction industry.
How Is Automation Helping Drywall Contractors Today?
Various automation tools and construction equipment have helped optimize layout processes, reducing errors and significantly boosting productivity. For instance, HP SitePrint layout robots make site printing easy and efficient through programmable operations that can perform all types of layouts for drywall and other materials. These and other systems facilitate more efficient collaboration and coordination throughout projects, increasing overall efficiency while optimizing workflows.
The Challenge with Manual Drywall Layout Processes
There are a few key challenges affecting drywall layouts today. These include the following:
1. Labor Shortages and Increased Labor Costs
One issue impacting drywall layouts and construction is a general labor shortage, with workers in drywall construction and other skilled trades becoming less available. This shortage has led to increased labor costs and more competitiveness among professionals, leading to higher costs. With labor less accessible, contractors and others will need to optimize their budgets and, in some cases, extend project timelines to accommodate these challenges.
2. High Number of Errors and Rework in Manual Layouts
Manual layout processes also leave room for errors, including misalignments and inaccurate measurements that may require costly rework. Combating rising drywall construction costs should include prioritizing accuracy and quality workmanship.
Errors could also contribute to longer project timelines, causing them to exceed deadlines. However, automated solutions like layout robots can maximize accuracy and ensure measurements are right the first time.
3. Coordination Issues Between Construction Trades
Communication gaps, scheduling issues, and poor coordination can also lead to additional delays, workflow disruptions, and increased project costs. The right practices and solutions can mitigate these issues and ensure that all professionals and teams maintain good communication throughout the project.
The Benefits of Automating the Drywall Layout Process
Thankfully, drywall contractors and others can eliminate the various challenges by meeting layout automation best practices and utilizing the right automation solutions.
Here are some of the advantages of drywall layout automation.
1. Improved Accuracy and Fewer Errors
When it comes down to it, automation reduces errors and increases on-site safety for drywallers . Robotic Total Stations (RTS) and layout robots can keep all measurements consistently accurate. As a result, they help minimize the risk of human error with every project.
2. Time Savings and Faster Project Completions
Combating rising drywall construction costs with automation can also save more time and keep projects within their allotted timelines. Solutions like HP SitePrint will efficiently perform layouts and eliminate the need for rework and revisions, ensuring projects stay on track.
3. Enhanced Coordination and Communication
Automation improves project coordination and communication through various tools and features, such as instant communication of layout documentation and other types of documents across teams. Improved coordination will further shorten project timelines, reduce errors, and optimize efficiency.
4. Reduced Costs via Productivity
Pursuing automated layout processes will ultimately help boost productivity and reduce overall costs. The elimination of errors, improved communications, and shorter project timelines through automation technology will keep projects more cost-effective in the long run.
Key Technologies for Drywall Construction Automation
If you want to know more about how to reduce drywall costs with construction automation, here are some of the main solutions you can implement:
Robotic Total Stations
These solutions help in combating rising drywall construction costs by using digital integrations and maximizing accuracy to simplify layouts and measurements. To get the most from these solutions, it's important to engage in best practices such as conducting operator training and properly configuring both hardware and software.
Layout Navigators
This technology can also help with layout processes through the use of digital plan integration and real-time positioning for more accurate and precise layouts. Proper calibration and configuration, along with field personnel training, can help successfully integrate this technology for better automation.
Construction Layout Robots
One of the new technologies for construction automation is construction layout robotics. These systems can replace field printers and perform on-site layouts with optimized accuracy and efficiency, eliminating the risk of manual errors.
HP SitePrint
A specific solution you can use for construction layouts is HP SitePrint, which uses technology like digital-to-field layout document transfers and integrations with existing systems to increase the ease and accuracy of layouts. These systems:
- Make aligning site layouts with digital models easy
- Reduce drywall placement errors
- Accurately reproduce digital model elements, print arcs, and other intricate wall shapes
- Attract workers through easy-to-use on-site layout integration tools
They're easy to set up with plan integration, software customization, and continuous support that help optimize performance.
The Future of Construction Automation: What Drywallers Can Expect—And How HP Can Help
With the right implementations, drywallers can realize the benefits of emerging technology trends in drywall construction. Innovations in construction technology are shaping the future of the industry, with HP SitePrint at the forefront. Using the right technologies can take drywall construction and other tasks to the next level, keeping you competitive and highly efficient while saving you time and money.
To learn more about our leading construction solution, HP SitePrint , and how it can help you with interior trading, contact us today.
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