The construction industry has historically been slow to adopt information technology compared to other sectors, but recent data suggests this is changing rapidly. The JBKnowledge annual Construction Technology Survey, now in its fourth year, gathered responses from more than 2,000 construction professionals and provides a comprehensive look at how technology is transforming building practices. The findings reveal critical insights into technology adoption, cloud computing, mobile tools, data security, and the growing role of dedicated IT functions within construction firms of all sizes. For a broader perspective on how technology fits into project oversight, read about Key Facts About Role of Construction Professionals in monitoring modern construction projects.
The State of IT Spending in Construction
One of the most striking findings from the JBKnowledge survey is the significant gap in IT spending between construction firms and businesses in other industries. The survey found that contractors spend, on average, roughly one-fifth of what the average business invests in information technology support. This underinvestment has historically held back productivity gains and innovation in construction workflows, but the trend is beginning to shift as more firms recognize the value of digital tools.
Budget Allocation and Priorities
The survey breaks down how construction companies allocate their IT budgets across different categories. The results highlight where firms are focusing their technology dollars and where gaps remain that could hinder digital transformation efforts.
| IT Investment Category | Percentage of Firms Investing | Average Annual Spend Range |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware and Infrastructure | 78% | $10,000 – $50,000 |
| Software Licenses and Subscriptions | 72% | $5,000 – $30,000 |
| Cloud Services and Hosting | 45% | $3,000 – $20,000 |
| IT Staff and Support | 38% | $25,000 – $100,000 |
| Cybersecurity Measures | 32% | $2,000 – $15,000 |
| Training and Professional Development | 28% | $1,000 – $10,000 |
The data shows that while most firms invest in hardware and basic software, far fewer dedicate resources to cloud services, cybersecurity, or dedicated IT staff. This pattern reflects an industry that is still transitioning from viewing technology as an operational expense to treating it as a strategic investment that drives project performance and profitability.
Comparing Construction IT Spend to Other Industries
Across the broader economy, companies in sectors like finance, healthcare, and retail typically allocate 3% to 6% of revenue to IT. Construction firms, according to the survey, average closer to 1% or less. This gap has meaningful implications for competitiveness, operational efficiency, and the ability to adopt emerging technologies that can transform project delivery. Firms that close this gap are better positioned to leverage data analytics, automation, and integrated project delivery methods that improve margins and reduce risk across their project portfolios.
Cloud Adoption and Software Integration
The survey tracked the adoption of cloud-based technologies across construction companies of various sizes and specialties. Cloud adoption has grown steadily since the survey began in 2012, with more firms moving project management, document control, and financial systems to cloud platforms. The benefits include real-time collaboration across distributed teams, reduced on-premise hardware costs, improved disaster recovery capabilities, and greater scalability during periods of rapid growth.
Key Cloud Applications in Construction
Construction firms are adopting cloud solutions across several key functional areas. The survey identified the top cloud applications that contractors are using to improve their operations:
- Project management and collaboration platforms that connect field teams with office staff in real time, reducing delays and miscommunication
- Document management and version control systems that ensure everyone works from the latest drawings, specifications, and submittals
- Financial management and accounting software hosted in the cloud for multi-site visibility into costs, billing, and cash flow
- Customer relationship management tools to track leads, bids, and client communications throughout the project lifecycle
- Human resources and payroll systems that integrate with time tracking directly from jobsites, eliminating manual data entry
Software Integration Challenges
While adoption of individual cloud tools is increasing, the survey highlights a persistent challenge: software integration. Many firms report using multiple standalone applications that do not communicate with each other. This leads to duplicate data entry, errors in data transfer between systems, and a fragmented view of project performance that makes it difficult to identify problems early. Firms that invest in integrated software ecosystems report higher satisfaction with their technology investments and better decision-making capabilities across their operations. For more on how advanced technology tools are converging on the modern jobsite, see Advanced Construction Technology and Automation Equipment Robotics Drones.
Mobile Technology and Field Connectivity
The survey found that mobile technology adoption is one of the fastest-growing areas in construction IT investment. With jobsites spread across multiple locations and often in remote areas with limited connectivity, mobile tools have become essential for bridging the gap between the field and the office. The survey measured mobile device usage, mobile-friendly software adoption, and the policies firms have in place to manage an increasingly mobile workforce across active projects.
Mobile Device Usage on the Jobsite
The survey categorizes mobile technology use in construction into five distinct tiers of maturity, each building on the previous level:
- Basic communication – Smartphones and tablets used for calls, texts, and email between field and office teams for coordination
- Document access – Mobile viewing of plans, specifications, and submittals on tablets directly in the field without printing
- Data collection – Field teams using mobile forms for daily reports, time cards, inspection checklists, and quality control surveys
- Real-time collaboration – Shared dashboards, RFI tracking, and issue management systems accessible from any device on the network
- Advanced field tools – GPS-enabled surveying, laser scanning, drone imaging, and augmented reality applications for precision work
Firms that have progressed beyond basic communication into data collection and real-time collaboration report the greatest productivity gains. The survey data shows that companies with formal mobile technology policies are significantly more likely to adopt these advanced field tools successfully and achieve measurable returns on their mobile investments.
Mobile Policy and Security
With the rise of mobile devices on jobsites comes the need for clear policies around acceptable use, data security, and device management. The survey found that only about half of responding firms have formal mobile device policies in place. Among those that do, the most common provisions include password protection requirements, restrictions on personal device use for work purposes, and clear protocols for reporting lost or stolen devices that may contain sensitive project data. Firms without such policies face elevated risks of data breaches and unauthorized access to confidential project information. For more on how supervision and monitoring practices intersect with technology, see Role of Construction Professionals in Monitoring a Construction project.
Emerging Technologies and the Future of Construction IT
The survey tracks adoption of emerging technologies that are reshaping the construction landscape. These include drones and aerial imaging, building information modeling, 3D printing, robotics, and the Internet of Things. While many of these technologies are still in early adoption phases, the survey data shows steady year-over-year growth in their use across all company sizes and specialties, signaling a fundamental shift in how construction work gets done.
Drones and Aerial Imaging
One of the most visible emerging technologies in construction today is the use of drones for aerial data capture and site monitoring. The survey specifically measured the growth in companies employing drones for a variety of critical tasks:
- Aerial imaging and progress documentation captured regularly throughout the construction lifecycle for stakeholder reporting
- Topographical mapping and site surveying for pre-construction planning, earthwork calculations, and site logistics
- Video recording for marketing materials, safety monitoring programs, and dispute resolution documentation
- Thermal imaging for identifying moisture intrusion, insulation gaps, and structural anomalies that are invisible to the naked eye
- Quantity surveying and stockpile volume measurement for accurate materials management and procurement planning
The survey found that drone adoption has increased significantly since the previous year, driven primarily by falling equipment costs, improved battery life, and more user-friendly software for processing aerial data into accurate 3D models and orthomosaic maps that project teams can use directly.
Data Security and IT Strategy
As construction firms digitize more of their operations, data security has emerged as a growing concern that cannot be ignored. The survey measured how companies approach cybersecurity, including the use of encryption, multi-factor authentication, regular security audits, and employee training programs. The results indicate that while awareness of cybersecurity risks is increasing across the industry, actual implementation of protective measures still lags behind other sectors that handle similarly sensitive data.
A comprehensive IT strategy is no longer optional for construction firms that want to remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace. The survey findings point to several actionable best practices that firms of any size can adopt:
- Conduct a thorough technology audit to inventory current tools, identify capability gaps, and assess integration needs across the organization
- Develop a formal IT roadmap that aligns technology investments with business goals, project delivery objectives, and growth plans
- Invest in staff training and change management programs to ensure that new technology adoption translates into real productivity improvements
- Implement data security protocols including encryption, regular backups, role-based access controls, and incident response plans
- Evaluate cloud solutions for scalability, integration capabilities, and vendor reliability before committing to long-term contracts
The survey data makes clear that construction firms that invest strategically in IT, even with modest budgets compared to other industries, can achieve significant improvements in efficiency, collaboration, and project outcomes. For a deeper technical perspective on how construction materials and methods are evolving alongside digital tools, see Detailed Analysis of Construction Measures Materials to Reduce deflection and improve structural performance through modern analytical methods.
The Partnership Behind the Survey
The JBKnowledge Construction Technology Survey is conducted annually by JBKnowledge Inc. in partnership with the Construction Financial Management Association, HCSS Construction Software, and Texas A&M University’s Construction Science Department. Since its inception in 2012, the survey has grown significantly in both reach and analytical depth. The number of respondents more than doubled in the most recent survey compared to the previous year, reflecting the industry’s growing appetite for benchmarking technology adoption against peers and making data-driven investment decisions. The longitudinal data collected over multiple years allows firms to track their own progress and make informed decisions about where to invest their technology budgets next.
As the construction industry continues its digital transformation, the insights from this survey will become increasingly valuable for firms looking to close the IT spending gap, adopt integrated software solutions, leverage mobile technology for field productivity, and prepare for the emerging technologies that will define the next era of construction project delivery.