Modular construction takes building projects away from traditional, busy sites and into specialist manufacturing facilities. It’s a method of prefabricating buildings or parts of buildings that can be transported and assembled quickly on-site.
Once considered a “cheap” option that was rife with safety concerns, today, modular or prefabricated construction is becoming a popular choice for property developers. The market for prefab buildings was worth $84.48 billion in 2023, and is set to grow to $131.58 billion by 2030. With construction firms needing to find ways to cut costs and increase efficiencies, modular construction could be the answer.
Modular Buildings Help Get Developments Completed Faster
Creating components in a factory and then assembling them on-site isn’t a new concept. Way back in 1887 even the Eiffel Tower was built partially offsite. One of the primary reasons constructors and developers invest in prefabricated buildings is for the time-saving benefits.
Construction of prefabricated buildings can be ongoing while a site is being prepared. Once surveyors have confirmed that a site is suitable, work can start in the factory at the same time as any earth movement takes place. Concurrent work like this can significantly truncate construction timelines, enhancing an organization’s reputation.
Off-Site Construction Helps Optimize Budgets
As well as saving time, prefab construction cuts costs in several ways. By delivering mostly complete sections of buildings, fewer workers are required on-site, reducing the overall labor cost. It’s also much simpler and cost-effective to scale production up or down if needed.
In a similar way, waste is minimized during production. Because developers know exactly how much of each piece is required and can carefully monitor the manufacturing process, quality assurance is easier. When fewer mistakes are made, a lower volume of materials goes to waste.
Flexibility and Scalability
We touched on scalability in the last section, and it is a primary benefit of modular construction. Many modules can be expanded by simply adding more modules above or to the side of the core construction. If a client decides they want a larger space, manufacturing and on-site construction can scale up easily, as long as there’s the right physical space available. This also helps designers create entirely customized buildings and facilities.
Once a building is no longer required for its original purpose, there are also more options for selling it as it may be possible to relocate the building or repurpose it with the addition or subtraction of modules.
Applications of Prefab Construction
Prefabricated buildings and components are used in many aspects of construction and property development, from apartments to hospitals, for example:
- Residential: Modular homes and apartment complexes are becoming increasingly common.
- Commercial: The ability to quickly erect offices, retail spaces, and hotels makes modular construction ideal for any number of commercial opportunities.
- Institutional: Schools benefit from the ability to quickly add additional classrooms, while hospitals may need extensions for quarantine areas or increased patient loads.
- Infrastructure: Prefabricated bridges are already being installed all over the world, while stations and other facilities for public transit can be assembled with minimal disruption to travelers.
Challenges of Prefab Construction
While prefabricated modules offer many benefits, there are also challenges. The end-to-end logistics of transporting modules must be carefully managed. Wide and/or heavy loads may require special permits or costly expert logistics partners.
Also, prefabricated buildings still have to meet the same building codes and regulations as conventionally constructed projects. Beyond this, there’s a perception that modular construction is of lower quality than other types of development — although with modern construction techniques, this assumption is largely baseless.
Future Trends in Modular and Prefabricated Construction
Today, technological advancements in materials and automation mean prefab buildings are high-quality and durable — not just a cheaper option. Combining modular construction with emerging techniques like additive manufacturing means a large proportion of the property development process can be automated.
Integrating modular construction with smart technologies like augmented reality allows clients to see what a building will look like in a space before construction starts. Connected sensors utilizing the Internet of Things (IoT) can also help make the manufacturing of components even more efficient.
When approached correctly, modular construction can also be a sustainable option. Many developers are now investing in recycled steel and reclaimed materials to reduce environmental impact. Plus, modular buildings can be adjusted at the factory to include more energy-efficient features.
Modular Construction: Transforming the Construction Industry
Despite concerns about logistics and transportation, the benefits of prefab and modular construction are wide-ranging. As more developers adopt these techniques, it could transform the construction industry with a shift toward off-site manufacturing and a stronger focus on sustainability.
By recruiting experts in modular construction, your business could be a key player in the future of construction.