Why TraceAir Is a Game-Changer for Vertical Construction: The Must-Have Tech

The vertical stage of homebuilding can be a logistical headache, fraught with challenges that slow down progress, increase costs, and strain communication. From materials sitting idle and mismanaged to a lack of accurate updates on home construction, it’s easy for inefficiencies to pile up. Delays, rework, and communication breakdowns can ripple through projects, creating frustration for teams and stakeholders alike.

At the division level, these challenges are amplified, making it harder to maintain control over the homebuilding cycle and keep operations on schedule and on budget. Homebuilders need a smarter, more proactive approach to managing the vertical construction phase—and that’s where TraceAir comes in.

Project-Level Challenges in Vertical Construction

For individual projects, the vertical construction phase demands attention to every detail to ensure homes are built efficiently and to the highest standards. Common challenges include:

• Monitoring Status, Quality, and Compliance: Keeping up with framing, roofing, utilities, and site conditions is difficult without frequent updates, leading to rework, failed inspections, and delays. Misalignment on design changes and contractor adjustments increases inefficiencies, while wasted inspections—especially for hard-to-see areas like roofs—add unnecessary costs and lost time. Site scans also provide visibility into key compliance factors, helping teams monitor safety requirements, proper signage, and emergency access points to mitigate potential OSHA violations.
• Idle Building Materials: Lumber, concrete, and other materials often sit unused around the site, leading to waste, theft, or damage.
• Drainage Issues and Water Pooling: Improper grading or site preparation can lead to water pooling around homes, causing delays, rework, and long-term structural concerns. If not addressed early, these issues can also affect compliance with local building codes and environmental regulations.
• Dirt Management and Lot Preparation: Managing foundation spoils, monitoring settlement, and verifying lot grades are critical to ensuring a smooth transition to vertical construction. Poor dirt management can lead to unbalanced sites, incorrect pad elevations, and unforeseen rework, impacting schedules and budgets.
• Verification of As-Builts: Ensuring that construction matches design plans is critical before project turnover. Discrepancies between plans and actual site conditions can result in unexpected corrections, delays, and additional costs.
• Stakeholder Communication: Keeping project managers, investors, and leadership informed is a constant challenge. Without a clear, consistent way to track and share progress, misalignment and delays can occur, impacting decision-making and overall project efficiency.
• Transition Issues: Homes can face delays or rework if lots are not adequately prepared during the transition from horizontal to vertical construction. Final site conditions must meet HOA requirements before turnover. Unresolved issues or incomplete work can delay approvals, leading to extended timelines and potential disputes.

Division-Level Challenges in the Vertical Stage

Overseeing multiple construction projects across wide territories comes with significant challenges at the division level. With so many moving parts and limited resources, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain oversight, coordinate teams effectively, and ensure everything stays on schedule and within budget.

• Cycle Management: Maintaining a smooth homebuilding cycle requires constant comparison of actual progress against the schedule.
• Communication Gaps: A lack of reliable, accurate information complicates communication between teams and stakeholders.
• Material Waste: Unused or excess materials accumulate, leading to inefficiencies and cost overruns.
• Environmental Violations: Difficult to detect—expensive to solve. Limited visibility into site conditions can make it challenging to identify compliance issues early, increasing the risk of costly fines, project delays, and reputational damage. 

How TraceAir Supports Vertical Construction

TraceAir provides a comprehensive suite of tools and features to address these challenges head-on. By integrating advanced site intelligence software into your vertical construction workflows, you can streamline processes, improve communication, catch mistakes early, and achieve better outcomes.

Close-Up Visuals of Homes at Any Stage

TraceAir provides high-resolution aerial imagery of every home, updated regularly, with panoramic views that offer a complete visual from every angle. This ensures you have a clear, comprehensive understanding of construction progress and site conditions, whether you're onsite, in the office, or on the go.

Overlays with Lot Numbers

Easily focus on specific homes by overlaying project plans with real-world visuals of the site. This helps stakeholders stay informed and improves decision-making by providing a clear view of each home’s progress.

Drainage & Grading Tools

Identify and resolve drainage issues with advanced tools that detect water pooling and inadequate site preparation, preventing costly rework. Verify slope accuracy across key site points—like lot lines, driveways, and road paths—with the Slope Report (above), ensuring alignment with design grade requirements. The cross-section tool ensures proper grading around each home, helping to prevent drainage problems and maintain compliance with design standards.

Elevation and Coordinates

Check lot elevations at any time to verify site readiness and avoid surprises during construction. This feature is especially helpful during the critical transition from horizontal to vertical stages.

Earthwork, Utility, and Material Tracking

Track earthwork, utility installations, and material usage to optimize efficiency and prevent costly rework. Use the Counter tool to monitor material deliveries, dumpsters, and stockpiles to ensure proper allocation and keep projects on schedule. Historical data and the Time Machine feature provide a clear view of progress over time. The new utility tracking tool enhances visibility, ensuring installations align with project plans.

Communication and Collaboration Tools

Enhance team coordination by adding annotations, communicating concerns, and sharing updates directly within the platform. This ensures alignment and timely issue resolution. For marketing and external communication, use panoramic images to showcase site progress, highlight key milestones, and engage with buyers and the community. 

Why Choose TraceAir for Vertical Construction?

TraceAir is a 100% turnkey solution that’s easy to implement and use, ensuring your team can hit the ground running. With unlimited licenses, everyone—from contractors to stakeholders—can collaborate seamlessly. Backed by exceptional support, TraceAir empowers homebuilders to:

• Ensure team-wide accountability with accurate, actionable data.
• Improve efficiency by minimizing material waste and rework.
• Enhance communication with clear, data-driven updates.
• Streamline transitions from horizontal to vertical stages.

From individual project management to scaling operations at the division level, TraceAir empowers homebuilders to stay informed, take control, and drive success during the vertical construction phase.

Ready to tackle your vertical construction challenges? Contact us today to see how TraceAir can help you build smarter, faster, and more efficiently.