With the shortage of both housing and labor, the modular and prefabrication construction segment really took hold last year! According to the recent Dodge Data & Analytics study, modular building and prefabricated single-trade assemblies also improve productivity, quality and scheduling as compared to traditional construction. Bottom line, it makes building more efficient. Health care, hotel, multifamily and dormitory projects, in particular, work well with modular and prefab work. However, not everyone has embraced it yet, even with its benefits. If you decide to give it a try, here are some ways that you can increase the success and maximize efficiency.
Get Familiar With It!
Not understanding your options or the modularization and prefabrication process will be your primary obstacle – when you could be using it for great advantage! Home builders in particular have been slower to incorporate modular construction, with only 2% of new single-family homes that used modular techniques in 2017. But it’s expected to grow – going from a $106 billion dollar market in 2017 to an estimated $157 billion in 2023! And because it’s new, you may need to invest in research and training to see if it makes sense for your building projects. But with 80% of the contractors, engineers and architects reporting that they saw higher cost predictability and client satisfaction, it’s definitely worth it.
Design for It.
One of the biggest advantages is that you can customize the material with pre-made elements to fit. This makes the most sense when you’re looking at your projects from the very beginning stages. This also makes it extremely more eco-friendly.There’s less scraps and leftovers because it’s already made to spec, which eliminates waste. That also means it creates less noise on the job site, which is helpful in a public environment such as a hotel or living facility where residents are living.
Make Sure Key Suppliers Are Available
With this type of construction, inventory and supplies for multiple projects can be delivered to one location, and one after another can be built in that spot. However, that means you need to have access to warehouse space. Manufacturers of the modular components need to be available to make the goods. And deliver them! The Dodge study also reported how project delivery methods could prevent effective prefabrication planning. The good news is that with technological advances and other benefits, there’s a growing quantity and quality in your options.
Consider Using BIM
BIM has shown contracts to take better advantage of the modular and prefabrication approach. The Dodge report said that respondents from companies using BIM on at least 50% of their construction projects showed a 60% improved schedule performance and 50% improvement on budget performance. Companies not using BIM on any projects reported around about half that amount of improvement when using modular and prefabrication elements in their building projects.
The demand for more housing, combined with a shortage in trade labor, has forced builders to become more creative in finding ways to make building more efficient. Prefabrication and modularization has helped to alleviate that gap with at a time when it’s really needed! And if you’re looking for craftsmen who can help you with prefabrication constructions – or any other type – give Madden Industrial Staffing a call! We’re here to help you get the best talent in the trades.
