Virtual reality is all the rage these days. From entertainment and gaming options to even medical applications, this technology has opened up whole new worlds.

But did you know there are VR applications in construction?

There sure are — and they’re changing the industry.

Keep reading to find out how VR is used in construction and how it benefits both companies and customers. Plus, we’ll let you know how construction VR can be attainable for you.

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Most construction companies probably don’t think they have the cash flow to purchase VR equipment, but Flexbase can help make the dream of VR in the construction industry a reality.

That’s because the Flexbase card has features not offered by other credit card companies. We designed this card with construction owners in mind and wanted to give you options that will help you run your business more efficiently and profitably.

Like what, for example?

Well, how about 0% interest on purchases made with the Flexbase card for 60 days*? That’s twice the amount of time other credit card companies give interest-free. That means you can float a purchase while collecting payments from your customers and be able to pay it off without interest accruing.

We also find ways to give you ten times the credit limit of traditional credit card companies. That means you can afford some of the extras —  like construction virtual reality equipment — that will set your business apart.

Create an account to get pre-approved and take control of your construction business cash flow issues today.

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If you get creative, VR can be used for construction in many ways. Some of the most popular and effective VR applications in construction are:

• Giving virtual representations of construction projects
• Providing 3D tours to customers
• Enhancing the customer’s selection process
• Bridging the gap between contractors and stakeholders; and
• Boosting safety training for construction workers

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Maybe you’ve never considered VR to be a construction technology before. But VR technology in construction actually has many fantastic applications in the industry.

Let’s explore some of those here.

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#1: Give a Virtual Representation of a Construction Project

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Drawings and renderings are the traditional ways of representing what a construction project will look like, but they can only show so much. They don’t give you the full experience of what a completed building will be.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an improvement over the old methods in that it offers 3D electronic models of future buildings, but even that can’t demonstrate everything. 

Construction VR takes modeling to the next level by making its mock-ups more immersive and interactive. Clients and workers can use VR to “walk around” a construction project as though it is completely finished. They don’t have to use their imaginations to picture what something will look like because it’s right there in front of them.

This ensures that everyone is on the same page with the vision of the project and prevents the loss of time and money from things having to be redone in the future.

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#2: Provide Customers With 3D Tours

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VR technology in construction allows you to showcase your buildings in a …

• Convenient
• Interactive; and
• Effective 

… way.

Is a client in another part of the country and wants to walk through the building? No problem.

Do people need to see the finished product … but it isn’t finished yet? A VR tour lets them explore every nook and cranny of the new space.

Being able to experience this kind of interaction with the construction project allows customers to have complete trust in you as the builder, which leads to a smoother process and repeat business down the road.

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#3: Offer Enhanced Selection Processes

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Most construction businesses don’t have physical showrooms. They also usually source materials from many different places.

VR allows customers’ selection experiences — whether they are picking out floorplans, finishes, appliances, etc. — to be interactive. They can choose features in a 3D environment by being able to look at them in the space.

Besides giving a more accurate picture of what the selection will really look like, some other benefits of this method are:

• It’s easier to make modifications.
• The builder can control variables more easily.
• The customer is given more options.

Without having to show physical models or samples, the sky’s the limit.

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#4: Bridge the Gap Between Contractors and Stakeholders

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There are many people involved in any given construction project. Sometimes things get lost in the shuffle, and all the stakeholders aren’t aware of important components.

But with virtual reality, construction projects are suddenly at a new level of communication. 

VR technology means contractors and stakeholders can:

• Meet virtually
• Coordinate projects
• Get updated information
• Look for any problem areas; and
• Make changes as needed

And this cooperation can be done from all around the world!

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#5: Boost Safety Training for Construction Workers

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Construction is a high-hazard industry. An accident on the job or dangerous conditions can be life-threatening or life-changing.

VR in construction can provide the next level of training that can lead to a safer and potentially risk-free work environment.

A VR training simulator can show construction workers many dangerous scenarios and help them learn how to react in an ideal way. It can also train them to operate hazardous equipment without initial risk.

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If you want to grow your construction company, VR is a great investment for builders. Although it may seem like an expensive initial investment, it allows you to reap benefits in many ways.

And don’t forget that it’s easier than ever to make big purchases like this with the Flexbase card.

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#1: It Improves Quality

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Even the best-laid plans often go astray. But with virtual reality, contractors and workers have access to a common spatial experience — and that leads to better decision-making.

Using VR during the design and building process leaves little room for misinterpretations. This means the quality of work produced goes up, and the need to redo things later goes down.

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#2: It Allows Builders to Outsource

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Virtual reality makes it easier than ever for builders to outsource smaller tasks. This saves a lot of time in the long run and allows you to use your team for more high-level jobs.

The best way to outsource these lower-level tasks is to document the process. 

Whitney Hill, co-founder and head of business development at Snap ADU, advises construction managers to “Do something until you’re tired of doing it.” Then you’ll know how the task should be done, step by step, and can get it down and hand it off.

Some parts of the project you can outsource include:

• Administrative tasks
• Work order requests
• Creation of job signs
• And more

Small things add up, so training someone to do low-level tasks frees up your time. And as you get more confident with the work output, you can add to their task list.

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#3: It Allows Companies to Grow and Scale More Efficiently

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One important VR application in construction is the fact that it makes scaling — something that has been a challenge in this industry in the past — easier. 

One way it does this is by making it easier to share models and data across teams and get new stakeholders up to date quickly and efficiently.

We talked earlier about using VR to do 3D walkthroughs. These benefit not only the client but also the construction management teams as they can use them across various projects to keep improving processes and create real consistency and scale.

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#4: It Reduces the Need for Site Visits

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VR can greatly reduce the need for site visits in construction because it allows many tasks to be handled remotely. This saves a lot of time and, subsequently, money.

Here’s just one example of VR at work in construction.

You may choose to use a site-mapping company that figures out where all the electrical lines are on a property. They can also use a picture of the building’s electrical box to get the client’s utility bill for the last 12 months and check usage. 

Then all the load calculations can be done remotely to see if the panel needs an upgrade without ever sending an electrician to the site.

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#5: It Saves on Costs and Materials

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It’s hard to avoid waste in a construction project, but it must be limited to help businesses turn a profit.

When the right interactive options — like VR simulations of specific aspects of the job — are added, construction crews can more accurately estimate the materials they will need before they’re purchased. This helps eliminate waste.

A simulation may also help identify problem areas in a structure and allow changes to be made before it’s too late, which can help save time and money.

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#1: It Enhances the Overall Customer Experience

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Gone are the days when customers had to just trust that the construction company was doing the job correctly and hope it all turned out okay in the end.

By allowing clients to walk into a model and see what the project will look like when it’s done, VR can give peace of mind to customers by letting them know ahead of time that it will be exactly what they want.

Plus, let’s be perfectly honest — the futuristic feel of VR is pretty darn cool. Clients will be impressed by construction companies that have taken steps to integrate this technology into their business model.

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#2: It Empowers Customers to Make Smart Decisions

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Earlier in this article, we talked about how VR can enhance selection processes for customers. Not only is this helpful at the initial stages of the project, but it can also enable customers to make smart decisions along the way.

For example, as the project progresses, clients can evaluate how everything is going and determine if any changes need to be made.

VR also allows commercial property owners to market their new space to prospective tenants by showing them what it will look and feel like. This could allow them to fill up the building before it’s even complete.

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#3: It Reduces Builder Delays

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VR means fewer customer changes during the building process because they can see the end result before it’s built. Having more confidence in the finished product can reduce delays, meaning it can be built on time. 

Customers can move into their new home, building, or investment property sooner, making everyone a winner.

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We’ve outlined all the exciting ways virtual reality and construction go hand-in-hand. If you’d like to take advantage of everything construction VR has to offer, you need Flexbase.

We already mentioned the amazing deals of 0% interest for 60 days* and ten times the credit of other companies, but the Flexbase card also offers:

• Receipt tracking built into the app
• Unlimited employee cards; and
• Spending limits and controls per employee

The Flexbase card was designed to make your life as a construction manager easier. Sign up today and start taking advantage of its benefits.