Builders are increasingly specifying easy-to-install products to curb disruptions caused by the labor shortage.
Builders in 2025 reported ongoing challenges scheduling key trades, and the issue has persisted into 2026. COGNITION Smart Data shows that electricians, HVAC installers, and solar installers remain among the most difficult trades to schedule.
Labor shortages do more than slow projects down. They drive up costs and disrupt construction schedules. As a result, builders are increasingly looking for ways to reduce their reliance on skilled labor.
One solution is choosing products that are faster and easier to install. According to Home Innovation Research Labs, these products can significantly reduce labor costs. 39% of builders say they significantly reduce labor costs, while another 40% say they have a moderate impact.
For builders struggling to schedule trades and manage construction timelines, installation efficiency is becoming a key factor when selecting products.
Many builders are turning to panelized wall systems, which arrive as prefabricated assemblies that often combine structural elements, insulation, windows, flashing and other building envelope products. These integrated systems can significantly reduce framing time and the number of trades needed onsite.
At the far leading edge of innovation are robotic construction solutions that can dramatically reduce, or even eliminate, the need for traditional onsite labor. One example is AUAR’s MicroFactory, a compact robotic manufacturing unit set up directly on site that can produce the core and shell of a typical home within a single day.
Because components are manufactured where the home is built, the system also eliminates the need to transport panels across the country, further reducing emissions.
The push for faster, simpler installation isn’t limited to structural systems. Flooring manufacturers are also addressing the labor challenge. Click lock flooring systems, like those offered by Mohawk, allow planks to snap together without adhesives or nails. This floating floor approach speeds up installation and reduces the need for specialized labor while still delivering durability and design flexibility.
Even industries that traditionally rely on specialized installers are beginning to innovate. New technologies such as peel and stick solar panels aim to simplify installation and reduce the level of expertise required.
As labor shortages persist, builders will continue prioritizing products that reduce installation time, streamline construction, and deliver high performance.
For manufacturers, there is a major whitespace to satisfy the growing demand for products that streamline installation complexity and reduce jobsite labor needs.
Like this COGNITION Hot Take? We have more! Unlock the data driving the industry’s sustainability transformation to build smarter and sell faster. Subscribe to COGNITION Smart Data.
Victoria Muharsky is an ESG specialist at Green Builder Media, where she leads the ESG for Building Working Group. Under her guidance, the group has successfully overseen the release of the groundbreaking ESG Defining Principles. Crafted collaboratively by industry experts, these guidelines are revolutionizing the homebuilding sector's approach to ESG and sustainability.
Labor Shortages Are Driving Innovation in Building Products
Builders are increasingly specifying easy-to-install products to curb disruptions caused by the labor shortage.
Labor shortages do more than slow projects down. They drive up costs and disrupt construction schedules. As a result, builders are increasingly looking for ways to reduce their reliance on skilled labor.
One solution is choosing products that are faster and easier to install. According to Home Innovation Research Labs, these products can significantly reduce labor costs. 39% of builders say they significantly reduce labor costs, while another 40% say they have a moderate impact.
For builders struggling to schedule trades and manage construction timelines, installation efficiency is becoming a key factor when selecting products.
Many builders are turning to panelized wall systems, which arrive as prefabricated assemblies that often combine structural elements, insulation, windows, flashing and other building envelope products. These integrated systems can significantly reduce framing time and the number of trades needed onsite.
Because components are manufactured where the home is built, the system also eliminates the need to transport panels across the country, further reducing emissions.
The push for faster, simpler installation isn’t limited to structural systems. Flooring manufacturers are also addressing the labor challenge. Click lock flooring systems, like those offered by Mohawk, allow planks to snap together without adhesives or nails. This floating floor approach speeds up installation and reduces the need for specialized labor while still delivering durability and design flexibility.
Even industries that traditionally rely on specialized installers are beginning to innovate. New technologies such as peel and stick solar panels aim to simplify installation and reduce the level of expertise required.
As labor shortages persist, builders will continue prioritizing products that reduce installation time, streamline construction, and deliver high performance.
For manufacturers, there is a major whitespace to satisfy the growing demand for products that streamline installation complexity and reduce jobsite labor needs.
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Like this COGNITION Hot Take? We have more! Unlock the data driving the industry’s sustainability transformation to build smarter and sell faster. Subscribe to COGNITION Smart Data.
By Victoria Muharsky
Victoria Muharsky is an ESG specialist at Green Builder Media, where she leads the ESG for Building Working Group. Under her guidance, the group has successfully overseen the release of the groundbreaking ESG Defining Principles. Crafted collaboratively by industry experts, these guidelines are revolutionizing the homebuilding sector's approach to ESG and sustainability.