Are prefab homes good? Here’s what the experts say

Prefab homes aren’t a new idea. In fact, you might be surprised to hear this way of building has been around since the Romans conquered Britain. That’s right: those long-lasting forts came all the way from Rome!
Here’s the less surprising thing: prefab builds are becoming more widely known. Frankly, that makes a lot of sense to us.
Why? Because this approach addresses some of today’s critical housing issues.

We’re talking:

• Cost certainty
• Construction speed
• Sustainability
• Housing quality.

But, like anything, it’s important to seek an expert opinion. That’s why we’ve rounded up a few of the industry’s most knowledgeable and experienced people who’ve shared their insights with us. 

Want to know if prefab homes are actually good? Read on.

But first: what are prefab homes (and how are they different to traditional builds?)

Prefabricated (prefab) homes are built off-site in factories. This means the walls, floors and all the other elements you need for a house (including kitchen and bathroom fittings) are constructed in a controlled environment. Then, the completed homes are transported to the building site and connected to their foundations.

Prefab builds stand apart from traditional ones because they are typically:

• Faster to build – Largely down to a more streamlined manufacturing process that avoids weather delays and on-site challenges.
• Built to consistently high quality – A controlled factory environment and standardised process means every build reaches the same calibre  each time. Traditional builds, on the other hand, rely on the expertise of on-site labour and supervision. Every site is completely different so both of these can vary greatly across projects.
• Kinder to the environment – The prefab building process produces less waste than traditional builds (and often uses more sustainable materials).
• Cost certain – With less surprises along the way and a predictable timeframe, prefab builds can generally avoid budget blowouts. And, with less waste throughout the building process, it improves the efficiency of any materials used.

What do the experts think?

We already know prefab homes are on the rise. But…why? What exactly makes them appealing? And will their popularity continue to soar?
Over to the experts.

1. They are cost-certain

Nidhi Aggarwal, founder and president of SpaceMantra, says the “speedy construction” of prefab homes is “one of several factors contributing to [their] growing popularity.” And, because “prefab homes embrace a streamlined manufacturing process in controlled factory environments” it is easier to estimate the cost of a project.

We’ll take predictability any day.

2. Prefab builds are speedy

Without weather delays or other disruptions, prefab homes are built far more quickly than traditional homes. Advance Build, for example, generally takes 9 weeks to construct a house in our factory. A far cry from many on-site builds that can drag on for months – or even years.

Nidhi agrees the construction of a prefab home is more efficient. She points to the clearly defined process as key to faster project timeframes.

“The prefabrication process involves key stages: design and engineering, material procurement, component fabrication, quality control and testing, transportation to the building site and final installation,” she explains.

Gill Kelleher, BRE Group’s head of energy and housing insights data, also agrees it’s all about more efficient build times.
“By far the biggest reason is the anticipated productivity gains…,” she says.
Timely as well? Another big tick.

3. The prefab way is the greener way

A recent report by Make UK Modular highlights the very real environmental benefits of prefab housing. Not only are these homes more efficient to build, they produce “substantially less waste” than traditional builds. In fact, by taking the prefab path, materials wastage drops a staggering 90%.

According to the report, manufactured housing also “heavily reduces the amount of transport access needed for building sites, with 80% fewer vehicle movements to sites…”. In turn, that means far less disruption and pollution of the local environment.

4. Quality is everything

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. So you want it to last.

Steve Cole, director of Make UK Modular, says durability is just one of the many benefits of prefab homes.

“Factory engineering means modular homes can be built to consistently high standards,” he explains, “[They are constructed at a] lower cost,…greater speed and delivered to sites with hugely reduced disruption.”

Gill agrees, saying “modular construction [means] we can build at pace and at scale – without compromising on quality or cost.”

Sounds like a win-win to us.

The myths surrounding prefab (and why they don’t hold up)

Despite its growing reputation, prefabricated housing still falls victim to some unfair assumptions.
Let’s debunk a few of the most common.

Myth #1: They’re low quality

Absolutely not! These days, prefab housing is incredibly high quality – and built to last.
Manufacturers like Advance Build use standardised processes and have stringent quality control measures in place. This means we produce top-notch builds every time – with fewer defects. And, thanks to modern building techniques, the end result of a prefab home can be more durable – and, like we said earlier, more energy efficient – than traditional builds.

Myth #2: They all look the same

A quick look around Advance Build’s floor plans will tell you exactly the opposite. And Nidhi thinks the same.

“Prefab homes offer a diverse range of design options,” she reveals. “From modern and minimalist to traditional and rustic, homeowners can choose any style.”

And, Nidhi continues, “customisation options allow individuals to personalise their homes according to specific needs and desires.”

Everyone is different. Your home should be, too.

Myth #3: They’re not sustainable

Contrary to popular belief, prefab housing is one of the most sustainable ways you can build and maintain a home. The efficient factory process minimises waste, while the use of eco-friendly materials often results in highly energy-efficient homes.

That’s green building right there.

Why prefab is the way forward

The demand for housing will only continue. And, in the face of a global climate crisis, so too will the need for eco-conscious construction and homes.

According to Timothy Snelson, director and structural engineer at Arup, prefab homes “present an appealing alternative to traditional construction. They are up to 50 per cent faster to produce than traditional homes and often cheaper to heat…”.

Better yet, there’s a prefabricated home to suit everyone.

That means:

• First-time buyers looking for a cosy home
• Growing families needing plenty of space
• Retirees wanting comfort and accessibility
• Holiday home buyers or investors creating beautiful getaways and…
• …Anyone else ready to build their dream home!

The future of prefab homes at Advance Build

At Advance Build, we’ve been helping clients build their unique homes since 2008. Now, more than ever, prefab homes are emerging as a logical way to create an innovative home in a sustainable, cost-certain way.

Ready to build your own prefab home? Get in touch with the team so you can start planning. Or, see how other clients have walked the prefab path.