Build A Prefabricated House With Modhaven
Prefabricated housing, or “prefab”, is a construction method that involves the production of components or modules and building a structure or home in a factory before transporting it to a building site for assembly. In New Zealand, prefabricated housing is gaining more traction as a popular way of building over traditional construction methods.
Find out more about prefabricated housing in New Zealand as we draw on the latest research from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
The Advantages of Prefabricated Homes
Faster Construction Times
The main advantage of prefab housing is that it is faster to construct than traditional housing. According to research from MBIE, prefabricated housing can be built in a matter of weeks or months, in comparison to traditional housing which may take months or even years. This faster lead time is achieved because the components are produced in a factory and can be assembled on-site quickly. Because the construction time is faster, this means there are lower labour costs as fewer workers are needed to construct the building.
Better Quality Homes
Another advantage of prefabricated housing is that it is often of a higher quality than traditional housing. Due to the building components being produced in a controlled factory environment, they can be manufactured to exact specifications and to a higher standard of quality. Prefabricated housing is also less likely to suffer from weather-related damages during construction.
Sustainable, More Energy Efficient Homes
Prefabricated housing is considered to be more sustainable and eco-friendlier than traditional housing. Because the building components are all made in a factory environment, less waste is generated as materials can be reused or recycled for other projects that are happening in the factory. Additionally, because the components can be created to include insulation, airtightness, and other energy-saving characteristics, prefabricated housing is frequently more energy-efficient than traditional housing. Homeowners may experience cheaper energy costs as a result.
Affordable Builds
Another key advantage is that prefabricated housing is often more affordable than traditional housing. MBIE notes that the cost of prefabricated housing can be up to 15% cheaper than traditional housing. This is attributed to lower labour costs and economies of scale in the factory production process. This can make homeownership more accessible to a wider range of people, particularly those on lower incomes.
Design Flexibility
Prefabricated housing offers more design flexibility compared to traditional housing. The components of the house can be designed to a wide range of specifications and can be easily modified to meet homeowners’ needs. This can allow for more customisation of the home and can enable architects and designers to create unique and innovative housing designs.
Modular homes during construction and the end product delivered.
Prefabricated housing is particularly beneficial in New Zealand, where there is a shortage of housing supply in many regions. MBIE states prefabricated housing has the potential to increase the speed and scale of new housing development, as the components can be produced quickly and transported to a building site for rapid assembly. Advances such as these could help to alleviate the housing shortage and make homeownership more accessible.
There are numerous benefits to prefabricated housing in comparison to traditional housing, especially in New Zealand. They are faster to construct and produce a higher quality, more sustainable and more affordable home. It is likely prefabricated housing will continue to play an important role in the future of new home building in New Zealand.
