PropTech
Start-up technology companies are seeking to challenge the construction, real estate, and property management sectors, and the proliferation of mobile technology has drastically changed consumer behaviour, creating a culture of ‘always online’ users.
In conjunction with this move towards technology, the term PropTech was introduced in the 1990s during the tech bubble. It is derived from the words ‘property’ and ‘technology’ and is used to describe emerging start-up technology companies that are influencing and disrupting the property market.
PropTech is relatively well established in the real estate lexicon and is generally considered the umbrella concept for the terms associated with tech and other aspects of property management and construction. Initially, PropTech referred to buying, renting, selling, managing, designing and constructing residential and commercial properties. Now it is primarily associated with pre-construction activities (such as property sales and leasing issues) along with post-construction tasks (such as operations and maintenance).
PropTech is often used in conjunction with ConTech, a term that broadly describes the intersection of construction and technology. ConTech identifies advanced construction technology.
For more information, see ConTech.
Online services and apps have widened the scope of what users expect to be able to access, and these emerging technologies are often mentioned along with other well established concept such as:
- FinTech - a fairly universal term associated with finance and technology.
- RealTech - commonly used in the United States to cover real estate technology.
- CREtech - commercial real estate technology.
- Real EsTech - a European concept associated with entrepreneurial, start-up real estate technology.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building data exchange.
- ConTech.
- Fintech.
- How technology is changing the real estate industry.
- How we should regulate the real estate industry.
- Industry Disruption: 10 ways real estate is changing.
- Information and communications technology in construction.
- Landlord.
- Real estate - going from villain to hero.
- Rent.
Featured articles and news
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.
Level 6 Design, Construction and Management BSc
CIOB launches first-ever degree programme to develop the next generation of construction leaders.
Open for business as of April, with its 2026 prospectus and new pipeline of housing schemes.
The operational value of workforce health
Keeping projects moving. Incorporating unplanned absence and the importance of health, in operations.
A carbon case for indigenous slate
UK slate can offer clear embodied carbon advantages.
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.