Modular construction is a method in which, under a pre-designed and pre-defined managed plant environment, a structure is designed off-site using the same materials and construction practices with the same requirements and specifications as conventionally constructed buildings. However, modular construction takes place is only half of the actual time.
Buildings are manufactured in “modules” that represent the same design goals and requirements of the most advanced purpose-built buildings. This all happens without compromising while doing construction on location.
It’s a growing trend in construction because it can eventually reduce costs and is already dramatically improving the speed of construction. The first part of producing a modular construction project is going to be by creating a budget from a Construction manager or cost estimating services company.
What Are the Advantages and Key Benefits of Modular Constructions?
The development of modular buildings is about three times faster than traditional buildings. This is because modular building models enable indoor building processes to occur simultaneously with foundation operations. Modular construction is not only time-efficient, reduces labor costs, but also shortens delivery times. That is likely to explain the modular construction’s high desirability in today’s market.
Trends in building off-site are noted for transforming the construction business. The modular architecture is gaining popularity because of the luxury of constructing structures off-site, thereby reducing incidents of damage.
Often recyclable and environmentally friendly materials are used in the case of modular construction. Therefore, the ecological footprint is lesser than in conventional houses. Such assist in promoting sustainable development as well. Such modular design benefits are projected to contribute to the growth of the sector. Here are the top two benefits of modular construction practices as compared to the traditional ones.
Faster Build Time
Since modular construction is done off-site with the same materials, design, and architectural plans, the ratio of disruptions is quite lesser than the normal construction practices. Moreover, everything is designed in a controlled environment, so that speeds up the process by at least three times. By preparing a construction takeoff of all materials and quantities beforehand, the speed at which the construction manager or Developer will build can be dramatically improved.
Less Construction Waste and Environmental Footprint
First of all, more often than not, recyclable materials and eco-friendly materials are used in the construction of modular buildings. This automatically reduces the environmental footprint of your construction methods.
Moreover, since there are no disruptions on the set and the construction site, less material is wasted. Everything is pre-calculated and used in a professional manner to save not only time but also money.
Multi-Family Units Turned Easier to Build
The need for affordable housing brings with it a variety of changes across the country. One of them is updates in zoning, allowing for more multi-family homes and putting on properties accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
For both of these situations, the modern practices of modular construction work like a charm. Factory OS set up a five-story building in Oakland, California, in just 11 days, with around 110 livable units. Because these developments go up faster and are less costly, it is possible to pass on cost savings to consumers or landlords.
What Are the Disadvantages of Modular Construction?
Even with all the perks, benefits, and advantages, modular construction is not free of disadvantages. It comes with a few cons that might offset the pros. Let’s take a look.
Trucking and Transportation Is Challenging
Transportation and trucking of materials and modules to and from the off-site location are quite tedious and time-consuming. It can easily become a complicated endeavor.
Moreover, if your off-site location is far away from the actual location, the long-distance can be quite problematic for the builders and movers.
Not Too Customizable
The modular construction is quite customizable but not fully customizable. It cannot be quickly evolved and modified to fit the project. Everything is pre-defined and pre-designed. However, in the traditional stick-built projects, there is more room for customization, then there is in modular construction practices.
Zoning Issues
Depending on the local construction laws and zoning laws, modular construction may not be feasible for all areas. It will become hard to get the modular sets from the off-site location to the actual location. Zoning issues remain to be the highest risk when opting for modular construction practices.
How Are Modular Construction Methods Influencing the Market?
Bespoke modular models are famous for adding momentum to their growing market. The custom-fit advantage of the bespoke platform is likely to cause a high pace of growth in the global modular building industry. The model provides better space management, and this flexibility for modular construction is expected to gain traction. Additional benefits are noted for boosting market growth, such as high-quality construction, time efficiency, less waste, and better material durability.
The Modular Building market is a lucrative building category. The reason for the development of manufacturing, business, and residential space due to population growth and extension of the workforce is that people are inclined towards modular design. Therefore, people moving towards an esthetically pleasing network are likely to gain a good foothold in the market.
The well-known suppliers of modular architecture invest in research to develop products that are more effective and have an improved aesthetic appeal. They also opt for strategic business plans to make their business flourish, which, in turn, is expected in the foreseeable future to benefit the global modular build market.
What Do We Have to Say?
Modular construction is easily the future of the construction industry. It is three times faster than the traditional method, and it offers minimal environmental footprint on the ecosystem.
Moreover, there are lesser disruptions during the process, and the chances of accidents are fewer than that of the traditional methods.
However, there are still some zoning issues that become an obstacle to this kind of construction method. There are also transportation and trucking difficulties that make it harder for the modules to be transported from the off-site construction location to the actual location of the building. Additionally, it still has ways to go before finally becoming a highly customizable method of construction.
If you are thinking of a big project, you should think of opting for modular construction methods. However, if you are working on a small scale construction project, the traditional methods of development will be more beneficial and suitable for your requirements. Nevertheless, modular construction takes the lead in the overall developmental efficiency.
