What are prefab homes? These innovative buildings are one of the hottest on the construction market these days. And they’ve attracted a great deal of attention from a lot of different people for quite a number of reasons. A prefab home is an economical alternative to conventional construction because buildings are assembled on the site and then bolted together piece by piece as opposed to merely built up in sections. Because the buildings are assembled on-site, they are far more economical to operate and maintain than conventional buildings.
What are prefab homes? These innovative building types are expertly engineered residential dwelling types of specialties, typically manufactured on-site by experts in the field. Many of them are custom-built by architects and engineers who have expert experience with installation and construction design. The term “prefab” actually refers to the rapid manufacturing of individual buildings, sections, as opposed to the slow, stationery manufacture of sections as found in conventional construction.
How Are Prefab Homes Constructed?
Typically, a prefab home is delivered to the job site where they are put together piece-by-piece like a conventional home. The primary difference between a prefab and a traditional home is that prefab construction requires the on-site assembly of the units. And just like conventional assembly, on-site assembly of these dwellings involves a number of steps including; preparing the land, pouring the foundation and selecting the appropriate building materials.
Because of the on-site assembly element, the cost of construction for these dwellings is generally much less than for conventional construction. Although it still may not be “off the shelf”, pre-assembled prefab dwellings may be customized according to customer specifications, including custom interior finishes and fixtures, flooring material, cabinets, closets, custom paint jobs, and more.
Although there are many differences between a prefab and a traditionally constructed home, there are a few similarities as well. Both types of dwellings can come in a wide range of sizes and styles. Additionally, both types of dwellings can also be custom-built to exact specifications provided by the customer. Some of the most popular types of prefabrication available today include manufactured homes, modular homes, and mobile homes.
A manufactured home is a prefabrication building that is assembled on-site by a masonry company. The majority of manufactured homes are of residential use in the U.S., although a very small percentage are commercially-built condos. As with a prefab, a manufactured house can come in a variety of styles. Mobile prefab types of dwellings, on the other hand, are designed to be towed away and moved.
Prefab Homes Are Less Expensive
Although prefab construction requires on-site assembly, that assembly is generally less expensive than conventional building methods. This is because the prefabrication manufacturer is responsible for paying for all labor, materials, and overhead costs associated with the construction of the property.
In addition, prefab homes and mobile homes often come with warranties, so that in the event that something is done incorrectly on the property or is not installed properly, the homeowner is protected. This often allows homeowners to receive returns and repairs much easier than they would if they were to try to repair or purchase a comparable house on their own.
Another advantage of prefabrication or masonry construction is that there is less disruption and damage to the environment. Conventional building methods often require extensive digging and major disruptions to environmental landscapes. Prefabrication or modular house is constructed on the same site as the intended home.
There is no major excavation, and because the walls are typically built up in the factory from large steel sections, there is no need to hire a professional engineer to oversee the installation process. When it comes to soil conditions, there is no alteration required or any impact on the surrounding landscape because the walls of the prefabrication house are built upon the site in accordance with local standards.
Finally, there are significant tax savings that a prefab homeowner can enjoy by purchasing his or her home from a manufacturer that offers prefab construction services. The savings extend beyond the materials and the labor costs involved in building the home. Because the manufacturer has already minimized the environmental impact through site preparation and the use of standard steel on-site, the landowner is able to leverage his or her tax credits to help offset the costs of construction.
Moreover, the savings are not just limited to the landowner. Sales of prefab houses typically include attractive financing rates that are tied to fixed interest rates. Because the manufacturer has already minimized the risks involved with on-site assembly and material purchases, the dealer or individual looking to purchase a home is also able to leverage his or her own financial resources to make a purchase.
