EDITORIAL Construction industry forecast
“ Instead of owners adding solar panels and electric vehicle( EV) chargers after the fact, developers will increasingly integrate these features from the project’ s outset. Expect dedicated wiring conduits, pre-installed charging ports in garages, inverters hidden in utility rooms, and roof angles optimised for peak solar capture.”
Additionally, as electric vehicles( EVs) enter the mainstream, forward-thinking developers will anticipate the changing needs of future residents. Integrated EV infrastructure in new builds will accelerate South Africa’ s EV market by removing key adoption barriers – if a buyer knows they can charge at home without expensive retrofitting, opting for an EV becomes simpler and more cost-effective, making these homes more attractive to buyers.
Technology-driven efficiencies in construction
Under the weight of global supply chain pressures, rising material costs, and persistent inflation, the construction industry will be compelled to move beyond incremental improvements, and embrace new levels of technologydriven efficiency.
Statistics South Africa’ s latest construction input price index( CIPI) reveals, for example, that while total costs rose an average of just 3.4 % year-on-year in October 2024, a number of essential materials and inputs have seen substantial increases in expense. Construction pipes, tubes, and fittings surged 13.9 % year-on-year, bricks by 7.9 %, electrical components by 11.4 %, and plants and equipment by 7.7 %.
“ Intense competition within the industry means that companies will have to rely more heavily on advanced tools and AI to streamline processes, optimise procurement, and protect profit margins. This shift will be crucial in delivering projects faster, more affordably, and with greater reliability,” explains Van den Berg.
For instance, firms can integrate digital procurement processes and logistics, automate operations with drones and machine-led fabrication, incorporate prefabricated components, and upskill teams to leverage real-time data analytics. These measures will reduce waste, accelerate delivery, enhance on-site safety, and enable continuous refinement of project strategies, helping South African developers meet intensified market demands more efficiently and cost-effectively than ever before.
“ Ultimately, the general outlook for 2025 is optimistic and we expect enormous opportunities for the industry. Some risks remain, but if construction businesses and infrastructure developers remain agile and innovationfocussed, we may see a new boom in the industry with enormous benefits for the country as a whole,” he concludes. ■
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