Nohara Group's BuildApp General Research Institute (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Shinji Yamakaji) will release the white paper "Construction DX Actual Condition Survey Report 2026" on July 1st, which systematically summarizes the current status and challenges of DX (Digital Transformation) and BIM (Building Information Modeling) in the construction industry.

This survey report is a multi-faceted visualization of industry changes and on-site realities, based on a re-analysis of various survey data continuously conducted by the institute from 2021 to 2025. It provides an overview of construction DX and BIM trends in a single volume and can be downloaded for free by anyone from the BuildApp service site.

Background of Release

In the construction industry, labor shortages are becoming increasingly severe due to the strengthening of overtime regulations in 2024 and the mass retirement of experienced personnel caused by the "2024 Problem" (Note: The original text mentions "2025年問題" which translates to "2025 Problem", but given the context of 2024 regulations, it's likely a typo and should refer to the year of the regulations or a similar issue).

While DX promotion is expected as a solution to this situation, the reality is that many on-site tasks are still analog and progress is insufficient.

BuildApp General Research Institute has been conducting continuous fixed-point surveys to understand these structural issues in the industry. This actual condition survey report re-organizes that data over the years and provides insights into fundamental questions such as "How have on-site challenges changed?" and "Why is DX not progressing?"

<Table of Contents of Construction DX Actual Condition Survey Report 2026>

Chapter 1: "Anxiety about Digitalization" Unchanged Since 2021, and Worsening Labor Shortages

Deepening Labor Shortages: Drastic Labor Saving is Urgent

Lingering Negative Impressions and Reconsideration of Work Styles

On-site Anxiety Regarding Digitalization

Chapter 2: The True Reason Why Digitalization is Not Progressing: The "Difference in Walls" Between General Contractors and Subcontractors

Discrepancy with Data Due to Direct On-site Adjustments

Increased Burden in Construction Management and Localized Digitalization

Obstacles to Digitalization Vary by Company Size

Chapter 3: The "Root Cause of Schedule Delays" and the Reality of "Burden Shifting" Plaguing Subcontractors

Schedule Delays Due to Shortage of Skilled Workers and Lack of Information Linkage

Concentration of Burden on Later Processes Due to Overtime Regulations

Chapter 4: The Key to Resolution is "BIM" and Front-Loading

Expansion of BIM Utilization in Construction and Challenges in Operational Systems

Continued Demand for BIM and Transition to Practice

Client Awareness and the Need for Early Consensus Building

Chapter 5: Recommendations for Solving Challenges

Recommendation 1: Proper Adjustment of Order-Receipt Forms and Contracts (Risk Dispersion and Construction of Cooperative Systems)

Recommendation 2: Standardization of Front-Loading and Breaking "Inefficient Customs"

Recommendation 3: Thorough Utilization of BIM and Data Linkage Across the Entire Supply Chain (Construction of a Tool Ecosystem) *This actual condition survey report presents the importance of an approach that connects clients, designers, constructors, and specialized construction companies with data and centralizes information as a solution to the challenges.

Regarding Survey Results | Kazuya Shite, Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Science and Technology, Shibaura Institute of Technology

Since the application of overtime hour regulations in April 2024, the working environment at construction sites of major general contractors is said to be improving to a level comparable to general companies. Salary levels are also high compared to other industries, so the professional appeal of construction management positions is increasing. However, it cannot be considered a fundamental solution if the burden is shifted to specialized construction companies and construction workers. A transformation to an industry structure where all parties – clients, designers, prime contractors, specialized construction companies, and skilled workers – can benefit from work style reforms is necessary.

On the other hand, simple extensions of construction periods are not realistic, and excessive increases in the burden on designers due to front-loading should also be avoided. Therefore, "appropriate schedule calculation" from the perspective of both clients and contractors, and "reduction of work load (loading) throughout the project" are the top priority issues.

As a solution, design support services that consider partial division of work by general contractors and specialized construction companies, and "Target Value Design (TVD)" – a process of setting and sharing target prices including the client – are effective. In this regard, setting a "Risk-Reward Plan" that links penalties for design changes with incentives for VE (Value Engineering) is crucial. Furthermore, when the selection of construction companies is by nomination, "Cost Plus Fee & Open Book Contract," which dispels the opacity of such selection, is also an option for clients.

BIM is widely recognized as an effective technology for realizing this series of processes. The future focus of construction BIM will shift to "detailed estimation and fluctuation monitoring" by leveraging its characteristic as a collection of objects, "early determination of specifications and details" through the integration of supplier models, and "promotion of pre-cutting and prefabrication by converting BIM data into processing data."

Expanding factory processing and on-site checks using mobile BIM will bring about significant improvements in construction efficiency.

In conclusion, the construction of a "tool ecosystem" that links data from clients to skilled workers across the entire architectural production process is considered the core that will accelerate work style reforms.

About BuildApp General Research Institute

BuildApp General Research Institute is a voluntary organization established in December 2024 (Representative: Shinji Yamakaji, Group CMO, Nohara Group Inc.) to promote and enlighten the utilization of digital technology and supply chain transformation in the construction industry.

It operates as a research and development project that conducts surveys, analysis, and information dissemination on DX, work style reforms, and supply chain advancement in the construction industry.

Through the issuance of this actual condition survey report, we aim to objectively organize the current state of the industry, promote data-driven discussions and decision-making, and contribute to society and the future by collaborating with all construction players, including general contractors, specialized construction companies, building material manufacturers, and academic experts, to improve the productivity of the entire construction industry.

How to Download

The "Construction DX Actual Condition Survey Report 2026" can be downloaded from the BuildApp service site by filling out and submitting the required information on the form. The document will be sent to you via email after submission.

URL: https://build-app.jp/document/construction-dxreport-2026/

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About the BIM Design-Manufacturing-Construction Support Platform "BuildApp"

"BuildApp" is a cloud service that replaces BIM design data created by design offices and general contractors with more detailed data, utilizes it as data required for each construction process, and improves productivity throughout the construction process. Through multiple services that connect BIM from design estimation to production, distribution, construction management, and maintenance, it provides services tailored to each player. It eliminates the effort and rework in design and construction, optimizes production and distribution, and contributes to cost reduction and reduction of waste and CO2.

"BuildApp" supports the fundamental efficiency of the construction supply chain and growth connected to the future, and we will update the construction industry together with everyone.

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https://build-app.jp/

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About Nohara Group Inc.

The Nohara Group, centered around Nohara Group, aims to "CHANGE THE GAME. Let's update the construction industry creatively and interestingly." By further refining the knowledge cultivated so far and connecting it to the future, we will contribute even more to society.

https://nohara-inc.co.jp

[Contact for Inquiries from Media Regarding This Matter]

Nohara Group Inc.

Marketing Department, Brand Communication Division

Contact: Morita, Takahashi

E-Mail: nhrpreso@nohara-inc.co.jp

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Surveyレポート