If you are a project manager or property manager in charge of new construction or a retrofit project in an office or multi-use space, you are probably looking for ways to reduce costs and meet project timelines. That’s difficult enough in this era of inflation and supply chain delays.
You probably also want to create a sustainable building. Whether or not you decide to apply for certifications, you know that using eco-friendly materials has grown increasingly important to building tenants as well as a company’s customers and workers.
Finally – while we’re on the topic of workers – you want the ability to create a flexible space that can change as workplace needs evolve.
If you’ve been considering traditional wood or steel and drywall construction, you may feel trapped by the options, costs, and carbon footprint. A growing number of companies, from London, Ontario-based law firm Siskinds to the Courtyard by Marriot on Vancouver Island, view modular construction, or pre-fab construction, as the solution to common construction challenges.
Yet, in 2021, modular construction held only 5.5% of the market share for new commercial construction in North America, according to statistics from the Modular Building Institute (MBI), as published by ConstructionDive.com.
Tom Hardiman, MBI executive director, told ConstructionDive.com that he expects market share to double to 10% over the next five years. The hospitality and healthcare sectors may see the most growth, because of the repetitive nature of rooms within the buildings. For the same reason, modular construction may take off in modern office spaces, especially since pre-fab construction provides the flexibility property managers need in today’s hybrid workspaces.
What Is Pre-Fab Construction?
In a modular building or a space that uses pre-fab construction, components such as walls, ceilings, and support structure, are manufactured off-site. The pieces are then transported to the job site and installed.
This process can dramatically reduce construction times and cut costs. Pre-fab construction typically uses eco-friendly or recycled materials and the companies who provide these solutions strive for zero waste construction. Some pre-fab construction companies also provide other benefits.
For instance, DIRTT uses a cutting-edge software solution, ICE, to provide 3D visualizations prior to the project start. These renderings are synced to supply lists and purchase orders, and can be updated in real time – even while the project is in progress. This makes change orders easier and can even
Nexii, with offices in Vancouver, Canada, and Philadelphia, PA, provides turnkey project management and modular building solutions across multiple industries, including manufacturing and hospitality.
Whatever company you choose to manage your project and supply the pre-fab solutions you need, you can look forward to these five benefits of pre-fab construction.
Shorter Construction Timelines
Pre-fab construction can reduce project timelines by 30% to 50%, according to the MBI’s 2020 Permanent Modular Construction Report. That’s because components can be constructed off-site in a factory setting. Weather delays can’t hinder off-site construction, and the manufacturer can build multiple similar parts on an assembly line. Site work can take place simultaneously, which compresses the construction timeline.
Reduced Labor Needs
With labor shortages a growing concern across the U.S. and Canada, pre-fab construction provides another advantage: reduced labor needs. Because of the replicable designs of the components and off-site construction, it requires fewer workers to put together a modular building.
Likewise, modular construction also provides advantages to the workers, including a consistent work schedule and work atmosphere. This may actually help recruit and retain skilled labor. Construction workers who can opt to work in an environmentally controlled, safe atmosphere may stay in the career longer. People may also be more willing to enter the trade.
Increased Worksite Safety
Hand-in-hand with a consistent work environment, modular construction also promotes worksite safety. The MBI report states that 89% of architects, engineers, and contractors saw safety benefits with modular construction. The report said modular construction – specifically the ability to build multi-story components on the ground floor of a factory – “virtually eliminates” fall hazards.
Turnkey facility management and modular solutions provider Dexterra, for instance, has won multiple awards in Canada for its health and safety initiatives.
Sustainable and Healthy Building Practices
Pre-fab manufacturers tout the sustainability of their materials. The building process can also lead to zero waste. When modules are constructed in a factory, the manufacturer can re-use extra materials, such as cut-offs and scraps, for other projects. Overall, modular companies focus on reducing their carbon footprint in every way possible.
Additionally, modular components are typically designed from eco-friendly materials. For instance, Nexii’s proprietary Nexiite components use less raw materials than traditional construction styles, reducing the environmental impact. The panels are energy-efficient to reduce heating and cooling costs for building managers.
Nexii chooses finishes that have no International Living Future Institute Living Building Challenge Red List materials, which means they are eco-friendly and safer for building occupants. Similarly, DIRTT’s construction methods eliminate the use of paints that emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are bad for the environment and for workers.
Flexibility for Changing Needs
Companies like NRB Modular, Canada’s largest modular building solutions company, custom designs office space to meet the needs of the organization and to fit today’s design trends for beautiful and energy efficient offices.
Z Modular, like many other pre-fab companies, allows customers to choose a building from the company’s design library and then customize it to fit their needs. Z Modular and the modular construction companies you’ll find in the Everything CRE database allow clients to choose from a variety of materials and design finishes. Office layouts can be customized.
Flexible systems, like DIRTT’s Leaf Folding Walls, a retractable wall system, allow for on-the-fly flexibility for a hybrid workforce. Today’s office spaces often need meeting space along with sound-masking offices for focus work. The type of space managers need may change daily. Modular systems make it easy to customize a space daily or to make long-term changes as workforce needs change.
Reduced Costs
Saving money is typically tops on the list of priorities for most project and property managers. And pre-fab construction can dramatically reduce costs compared to traditional building techniques. Even though every commercial project is custom designed, the parts required can be mass-produced for multiple projects. Walls, floors, ceilings and other components can all be built to spec, off-site, in batches of similar components. This combination of customization with assembly line construction can dramatically reduce costs.
Companies like Z Modular, DIRTT, and others integrate pricing and bill of materials with building design plans to better track and control costs and virtually eliminate scope creep.
It’s easier to plan ahead – and hedge against inflation – by purchasing building materials upfront since modular construction is more predictable. Labor requirements are reduced, which also reduces costs. This can also reduce overall costs.
Finally, shorter construction timelines also help reduce costs. The faster you can complete a project, after all, the faster you can lease the space and start seeing a return on your investment.
Is Pre-Fab Right for Your Next Project?
While pre-fab construction may not be right for every project, it’s worth considering as a viable solution, especially for green building construction.
If you choose pre-fab construction, let the Everything CRE Network help you find a reliable and sustainable modular building contractor near you.