10 Oct Prefabricated Homes – Are They Efficient?

Sheri Koones, author of four books on prefabricated housing, asks an interesting question:

“Would you want your car to be built in your driveway? Of course you wouldn’t. You want your car made in a climate-controlled factory by skilled professionals on an assembly line. Wouldn’t you want the same thing for your home?”

Prefab housing generally refers to factory-built modular housing. They are built to the same code as traditionally built homes, with additional structural requirements to make sure they withstand being transported. Modules are typically delivered to a homesite and put together onto the foundation in a matter of hours.

These homes are approximately 75 percent complete at the time of delivery and often require an additional two or three weeks for finishing touches.

The growing interest in green building has made prefab homes very popular.

But Are They Efficient?

Absolutely! There is much less waste in the manufacturing process. Any excess materials can be recycled into other homes or sent back to the manufacturer instead of ending up in a dumpster, since they aren’t exposed to the elements and compromised.

There’s also a safety benefit to this process – workers can build year-round. Since the homes are pre-designed consumers also save on lack of architect fees, time delays or cost overruns.

Despite the popular perception, prefab homes do not all look the same. They can be customized, both to the neighborhood, with green options, and with traditional looks and feels.

What do you think? Are prefab homes the wave of the future? Share your thoughts by commenting below or on our Facebook page.
Image courtesy of realestate.mortgageconfirm.com