SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KUTV) — In a state grappling with high housing costs and a need for increased inventory, advanced technology like artificial intelligence is making it possible to build homes faster and more affordably.
But many in the industry aren’t using it to its full potential.
Claude and Wendy Bethea are a pair of empty-nesters documenting the construction of their dream home on YouTube.
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Their project is more than just a personal milestone, it’s an example of how they use advanced technology to design and build.
Claude is a partner at SoLux Home. He has experience working in the tech industry and is now integrating cutting-edge technology into homebuilding.
“We’ll take the plans and create a virtual walkthrough and walk the home before we even start building,” he said, showcasing how digital modeling helps streamline construction and catch errors before they happen.
At a gated development overlooking Jordanelle Reservoir, Bethea is involved in another high-end project using the same technology. He acknowledged that most builders are behind the curve.
“95% of the builders out there are not using these technologies,” he said.
Despite the promise of faster, cheaper construction, adoption remains low.
“You have a technology that can help you speed up that process, but you have a very small trade base that actually knows how to use that technology,” Bethea added.
At the University of Utah, researchers are studying how to bridge this gap. Abbas Rashidi, a professor in manufacturing and engineering, researches the latest AI technologies from things like 3D printed homes to streamlined manufacturing.
“These types of technologies are useful if you’re not looking for something really fancy, not something that is complicated, but something that can just handle the job,” Rashidi said.
Rashidi said we should be seeing new technology becoming more and more popular, and the workforce may be shifting.
“New generations are more interested in sitting in an office in front of computers doing things other than working on a job site, so for that reason, we are probably shifting more to automation,” Rashidi said.
When asked whether hands-on labor or AI is the better approach, Rashidi said, “To me, the ideal situation is a merging of both.”
According to AI company Twixify, artificial intelligence can reduce build times by as much as 30% from initial concept to final design. AI also helps reduce errors and waste, leading to quicker and more cost-efficient builds.
“It’s going to be easier to get trades done, which should lower the costs of those trades,” Bethea added.
And with constant advances in AI, Rashidi believes the industry is just scratching the surface.
“It’s fascinating to see how things are evolving,” he said.
AI has also grabbed the attention of the Utah Homebuilders’ Association, where they are working on streamlining the permitting and regulation process. This would take collaboration between builders and local municipalities.
Currently, AI is already being used to generate home designs that meet local and state building codes. Both Bethea and Rashidi agree that the future holds even more potential for AI to revolutionize the way homes are built in Utah and beyond.
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