Does Modular Construction Have a Future?

Modular construction is starting to really become popular in many different faucets of the construction industry. Modular homes have been fairly common in the past, but now this construction is being used to build apartment buildings and luxurious homes. It isn’t just for your standard, simple family home anymore. This does seem like a bright future is ahead. However, knowing just how great the future is depends on weighing the pros and cons of this building process.

What Is It?

Modular construction is a process where a building is constructed in parts at a location away from the building site. These parts are often comparable to shipping containers. They contain a room or an area. The walls, flooring and details are all built into the module at an off-site location. These modules meet all building codes, standards and requirements. When the modules are assembled on the site, the final result looks just like a conventionally built project.

Pros

This method of construction costs less and can be completed in less time than traditional construction methods. Multiple aspects of construction can happen at one time. For example, electricians can be installing wiring in the module while the foundation is being dug on-site. In addition, because the bulk of construction is completed off-site, it cuts down on the inconvenience experienced by the neighborhoods and areas surrounding the construction site. Modules must be shipped to the construction location after they are built, so they are designed to be strong, making the complete, finished project much stronger than traditionally constructed projects. Lastly, because all of the building and design aspects are handled in one off-site location, it is much easier to manage materials and construction quality.

Cons

While there are plenty of great things about modular construction, it still has a few downfalls to consider, such as design limitations and the potential for high costs. Certain design factors, such as elevators, can be difficult to pull off with a modular design. In addition, complex designs require far more individual modules to pull off. This means more work and more transportation expenses to get these additional modules on site. Finally, because of the process, once modular begin being constructed there is little room for changes to be made without requiring extra costs.

So what is the future for modular construction? Will it be sticking around? For now the industry seems to be booming. The benefits are outweighing the disadvantages at this point. As long as projects continue to please buyers, it seems this construction method is here to stay.