ABOUT PREFABRICATED & PORTABLE STRUCTURES


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ABOUT PREFABRICATED & PORTABLE STRUCTURES

 Are prefabricated homes, which are constructed at least partially offsite, really more eco-friendly than stick-built homes? How do costs compare? If you’re wondering if a prefabricated home is right for you, or if you’re just curious, these 8 need-to-know facts about prefabs will get you up to speed.

1. Prefabricated homes are not a new idea. 
Although they’ve been getting buzz in this decade, the truth is that prefab homes have be around in various forms since at least 1908, It Was Shipped out to the homeowner by rail, the components of the home and plans were then used by local builders or handy homeowners to build the house onsite.

2. There are two types of prefabricated homes: flat pack and modular. 
Modular homes are built almost entirely in a factory and shipped complete with windows,
doors and interior finishes in place. The modular pieces are then fitted onto a foundation at the building site. For a Flat-pack home, all of the necessary pieces are prepared and shipped disassembled

 3. Prefab homes can be custom made. 
If you thought that going the prefabricated route meant sticking with a limited range of choices,“All of our homes are custom prefab, so our homes are designed to meet the client’s program, and to take advantage of the existing site conditions, like views, trees and sun orientation.”

 4. Choosing a prefab home can relieve decision-making pressure. 
While flat-pack homes offer more flexibility than modular homes, “too much flexibility is not always a benefit,”Homeowners can become overwhelmed by the amount of options available, so going prefab can help limit choices.” Anyone who’s lived through a remodel (or custom build) can attest to the fact that the sheer number of decisions you are required to make is enough to make even a normally unflappable person feel like throwing a tantrum.

 5. Prefabs are quicker to build than stick-built homes. 
“Prefab construction takes about half the time of a comparable traditionally built home,Because prefabricated homes are at least partially assembled in a factory offsite, that means preparatory work — like laying a foundation — can be going on simultaneously, shaving a good deal of time off the schedule. Modular homes are especially speedy, because they arrive fully finished on trucks. But even a flat-pack home is far quicker to construct than a stick build because all of the measuring and cutting is done in advance.

 6. A prefab home can cost less than a stick build, but not always. 
“Due to the extreme slowdown in the residential construction industry, site-built contractors are very aggressive on pricing and modular construction is as often as not more expensive than site-built,”

 7. Building a prefab home is more environmentally friendly than a stick build.
Prefabricated homes tend to be more environmentally friendly on a number of levels. Because they are made in a factory, there is far less disruption to the site and surrounding area during construction. Prefabricated-home factories create far less waste than the typical construction site and are often able to reuse extra materials in future projects. Some prefab design-build firms even go a step further by using recycled and renewable materials, and conserving energy.

 8. The schedule is more predictable, too. 
“There are no weather impacts and few subcontractor impacts, because the homes are built in a controlled environment, with a stable and predictable labor force,”