By Stacey Sayer, Director of Content and Communications, Trimble
Last November, during the annual Trimble Dimensions user conference in Las Vegas, we asked 1,800 civil, general and specialty contractors about the opportunities and challenges they face and the technology initiatives they believe can help to address them.
The human element: solving labor challenges
When asked about the biggest challenges in 2026, respondents were clear: It's all about the people. The top concerns cited were workforce skills, hiring and retention, closely followed by the adoption or optimization of the right technology.
They’re not alone. Analysts estimate the construction sector will need half a million new workers in 2026 to keep pace with demand. This is exacerbated by the fact that nearly a quarter of the current workforce is set to retire within the next decade.
One way to face this challenge head-on is to use technology not only as a tool for productivity, but as a vital recruitment asset. Ian Warner, director of industry workforce development and innovations at Trimble, believes that technology and training will be key to attracting the next-generation workforce.
“Contractors that invest and deploy the latest technology will have a competitive advantage by optimizing employee productivity, being able to do more with less and attracting a tech-savvy younger generation,” he says.
Breaking down silos: The push for integration
As companies adopt more digital tools, a new challenge has emerged: fragmentation. Different—and often incompatible—systems and platforms create silos of information, leading to communication breakdowns and inefficiencies.
Not surprisingly, the survey revealed that initiatives with the most potential to improve performance in 2026 involve improving how existing technology and data integrate and getting employee buy-in.
Currently, many construction projects are bogged down by diverse teams using different technology stacks that don't share data with one another. This “data siloing” leads to errors, delays and, inevitably, lost revenue.
“Enhancing data connectivity and interoperability across the construction lifecycle is a top priority, and we will continue to accelerate our efforts in these areas,” says Chris Peppler, vice president of platform at Trimble.
Top priorities: AI and precision
The Dimensions survey revealed a strong desire to invest in innovation, finding that if costs were no object, industry leaders would prioritize AI and precise positioning:
AI adoption: Leveraging artificial intelligence to augment human capabilities, automate complex workflows and apply predictive analytics to large datasets.
Scanning, surveying and positioning: Investing in advanced reality capture and positioning technologies to ensure millimeter-level accuracy onsite.
Aviad Almagor, vice president of technology innovation at Trimble, believes that in 2026, isolated agentic AI pilots will move beyond experimentation to impact real-world workflows. “Networks of AI agents will operate across design, engineering and construction in connected ecosystems—streamlining design processes, orchestrating schedules, resolving conflicts, tracking progress, managing resources and more,” he says.
When it comes to scanning and positioning, reality capture technology is already invaluable for precision, safety and speed. Arnaud Lezennec, senior applications engineer at Trimble, believes it will become even more democratized this year. “New user-friendly tools will enable even more comprehensive data collection and accuracy for faster and better decision-making,” he says.
Results of the Trimble Dimensions contractor survey highlight some fundamental truths and an optimistic outlook for how talent and technology are essential to future construction success. Contractors confirmed that advanced tools can help them succeed—and that investing in them, connecting them and training their workforce to optimize them are top priorities for 2026 and beyond.
