Despite the industry’s slow adoption, many innovations have eventually become mainstream—often after years or even decades of resistance. Here are a few notable examples:

Prefabrication and Modular Construction (100+ Years in the Making)

The idea of prefabrication isn’t new—kit homes from Sears Roebuck in the early 1900s were a form of modular construction. However, despite its promise of efficiency and quality control, modular construction has struggled to gain mainstream acceptance for over a century. Even today, many developers still view it as a niche solution, despite its ability to speed up timelines and reduce labor costs.

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)

CLT was first developed in Austria in the 1990s and was hailed as a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel. Yet, it took nearly 30 years to gain widespread adoption in North America, primarily due to fire code concerns and skepticism from traditional builders. Today, CLT is finally being embraced, but the battle for acceptance was long and costly.

3D-Printed Homes: The Future or Just a Gimmick?

3D printing in construction has been around for over a decade, but despite the hype, it has yet to see large-scale adoption. Builders question the durability, cost-effectiveness, and practicality of printed structures. It may take another decade before it proves itself as more than just an eye-catching experiment.

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

BIM is now considered a standard in many large-scale construction projects, but its adoption was anything but smooth. Early resistance came from contractors and architects who saw it as unnecessary, complex, and expensive. It took years of proving its value in efficiency and coordination before it became widely accepted.

The Fine Line Between Healthy Skepticism and Missed Opportunity

While skepticism is a necessary filter to avoid costly mistakes, it can also lead to missed opportunities. Many in the industry rejected modular construction, CLT, and BIM when they first emerged, only to later realize their potential.

The key is balance—constructive skepticism that asks the right questions without shutting the door entirely. The industry needs critical thinking, not knee-jerk rejection.

So how can innovators navigate this environment and gain acceptance for their ideas?

Strategies for Innovators to Break Through Resistance

If you’re an entrepreneur, engineer, or company introducing a new product or process to the offsite construction industry, here’s how to improve your chances of success:

1. Prove It Works—With Real-World Data

Nothing wins over skeptical builders like numbers. Hard data, performance metrics, and case studies showing cost savings, durability, and code compliance are critical.

2. Find Early Adopters and Champions

Instead of convincing the entire industry at once, focus on forward-thinking developers or factories willing to test new ideas. Their success stories will build momentum for broader acceptance.

3. Speak the Industry’s Language

Many innovators make the mistake of pitching their ideas in technical jargon. Instead, frame your innovation in terms of what builders care about: cost savings, efficiency, and risk reduction.

4. Address Code Compliance Early

If your innovation isn’t code-compliant, it’s dead on arrival. Work with regulatory bodies and industry organizations to ensure your product can be legally adopted before trying to sell it.

5. Be Patient and Play the Long Game

Many successful innovations took decades to gain mainstream acceptance. If your idea is truly game-changing, persistence and strategic execution will pay off over time.

The Future of Innovation in Construction: Change Is Coming

While construction remains a conservative industry, the pressures of labor shortages, rising costs, and sustainability concerns are forcing change. AI, automation, robotics, and new materials will continue to challenge the status quo, and those who embrace innovation wisely will be ahead of the curve.

For innovators, the lesson is clear: skepticism is not an enemy, but an obstacle to be overcome with proof, persistence, and strategic execution. The industry may be slow to change, but history shows that when innovations finally prove their worth, they become unstoppable.

The question is: Will you be the one pushing the change, or the one struggling to catch up?

Bill Murray

Contact Bill

Bill Murray has over 40 years of operational management experience in the Modular industry.  Bill began his Offsite career as a contractor/builder.  He then entered the manufacturing side quickly advancing through the sales ranks to become a General Manager/COO of multi plant operations.  Bill provides professional advisory service to owners, prospective owners and builder developers considering Offsite construction.  He has consulted throughout the U.S., and Mexico, as well as overseas assignments.