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MODULAR CONSTRUCTION FOR ARCHITECTS & Developers - part 2

SCHEDULE, COST & VALUE - Prefabricating the bulk of a building in an off-site facility means that the construction process is much less vulnerable to delays due to poor weather conditions. This facilitates a more predictable schedule. Off-site construction also allows for work that would usually need to be sequenced to be performed simultaneously. Compared to the linear process that generally characterizes traditional construction sites, with trades working sequentially, off-site construction allows trades to work concurrently.

Delays related to supply issues may also be reduced by using off-site construction, as modular manufacturers may often have more firmly established connections with a larger network of qualified material suppliers as well as a greater ability to store bulk materials compared to traditional on-site operations.

Further savings can be gained through close coordination between on-site and off-site operations. Ideally, building components should be fabricated, transported, and delivered to the site “just-in-time,” according to when the site infrastructure required for their installation has been completed, avoiding any additional costs for storage at either the plant or the construction site.

If a project is coordinated so that site preparation and pre-construction engineering is conducted at the same time that building components are fabricated in the factory, the construction schedule can be shortened by 30 percent to 50 percent, resulting in dramatic schedule savings This is a significant benefit over conventional construction site that requires the completion of the foundation before work on the building can even begin. The more work that can be completed off-site, the greater the savings due to the increased amount of time saved on-site.

It should be noted that reductions in schedule may depend on the complexity of the project or the level of customization involved. Although a benefit of modular construction is that it allows for greater technical complexity in design, complex projects that require many unique components will require more fabrication time—as well as assembly time—than projects using more standardized elements.

You can save time with modular construction by beginning building off-site while site development and foundations are in progress.

Although modular construction can be more cost efficient than traditional on-site construction, this does not automatically mean it will result in a reduction in overall project cost. However, the costs are often more predictable than with traditional construction methods. If affordability and controlled cost is of primary concern on a project, modular construction can be used to achieve it, but it will require greater intention in design and thorough planning.

Ultimately, when analyzing the cost of modular construction compared to conventional construction for a specific project, it’s important that all hard and soft costs be taken into account. Overall, modular construction should be understood as a lifecycle investment. Regardless of the upfront costs, if implemented correctly it will prove to be a more cost-efficient way to create value in the long term, and the decision to use modular construction should ideally be made based not on an upfront cost comparison but rather on a clear understanding of the particular benefits the approach offers and the extent to which these align with what the project owner values in each particular circumstance.