Differences in Construction Techniques

Traditional Construction

• Traditional construction techniques refers to those which have been used for decades in order to prepare the land, erect buildings, and create communities. These techniques are usually referred to as brick-and-mortar practices, techniques requiring more hands-on attention from workers and supervisors. Paper blueprints, human-driven machinery and on-site supervision are examples of traditional construction techniques.

Predetermined Home Construction

• An example of a more modern construction technique can be seen in today's townhome and condominium communities. While traditional techniques would require a new homeowner to map out a piece of land and then hire an architect, many construction firms plan out large stretches of predetermined residential units in modern business. The firm will complete a number of homes following tested and true specifications for a quality living unit and then sell the units to a Realtor.

Multicriteria Decision Making

• Large construction projects requiring input from multiple stakeholders often use a multicriteria decision making construction technique. This technique can be used for commercial, industrial or residential construction and involves distinct methodologies such as mathematical programming to design large-scale construction blueprints. External factors like climate change, water variability and other factors are also taken into consideration in the stages prior to construction.

Equipment Differences

• To successfully complete modern construction techniques, many firms use state-of-the-art equipment. Innovations in the area of heavy machinery -- such as remote-guided bulldozers -- and the use of computer software assist with the designing and building stages of a project. While traditional construction requires workers to physically measure, cut and nail, technological advancements like laser levels, automatic nailers and power saws decrease turnaround time for project completion.