Offsite Manufacturing Construction – drawbacks and benefits

There are two established methods of construction. The traditional construction includes transporting all the raw material onsite where construction workers ‘build’ and put things together manually. A more recent advancement in this area of work is Offsite manufacturing construction where the most common parts of the construction are manufactured in a factory controlled environment and are then transported to the construction site and assembled to form a complete structure. The parts are manufactured in a factory and are hence very precisely built. They are subjected to stringent quality control procedures and the quality of the final product is assured. Well, this type of construction is gaining a lot of popularity. However, there are certain drawbacks and certain advantages that you should be aware of. Breaking the conventions, this kind of construction has made it possible to raise the quality bar for construction jobs and has made a huge difference in how the construction industry is perceived. Here are a few points that highlight the drawbacks and the

Are there any drawbacks in offsite construction?

We are all aware of the many benefits of offsite construction, but always wonder what the drawbacks of this kind of system could be. The first and the most important drawback is that although it is an emerging method in the construction industry, there are still very few who have the right kind of knowledge to follow through with the entire project. The design and construction industry conflicts could cause hindrance. There have always been concerns about distance and transportation between the jobsite and offsite. Above all the lack of knowledge supersedes all other drawbacks.

What are the benefits of offsite construction?

The benefits of offsite construction are manifold. Right from

• The prefabricated components speed up the construction time. This results in lower labor costs.
• It allows for year round construction and the process is not interrupted by known factors.
• The progress of the construction is not affected by the weather conditions such as excessive rain, heat, snow etc.
• The mechanization used in prefabricated construction ensures precision and uniformity.
• There is adherence to building code standards and there is also greater quality assurance.
• There is less wasted material than in an onsite construction.
• The materials are protected from exposure to other elements during construction.
• The comfort levels for workers in greater.
• The safety standards are higher than that of onsite construction.
• High degree of customization is possible.
• Quality control ensures high energy efficiency too.
• Cost savings are huge!

Once the modules are transported onsite, the building is installed into a permanent foundation and is fastened to the ground. These buildings usually meet all the applicable building codes and follow all the regulations as would be required by any other traditionally constructed building. After they are put together, the final result is a highly robust, building of better quality – yet affordable!

 

Modular Construction- The Most Frequently Asked Questions

Conventional construction needs to be challenged and all the downsides of this type of construction need to be addressed. Today’s constructions demand a better way to manage quality, reduce construction time, and avoid the obstacles and hindrances of onsite construction. Modular construction is becoming increasingly popular as it very effectively addresses all the concerns of traditional construction methods.

However, when implementing such type of constructions, our minds are crowded with a number of questions regarding quality, reliability and sustainability. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about modular construction:

How is modular construction different from conventional construction?
A conventional building is constructed onsite – from scratch. A modular building is constructed in a factory – under a highly controlled environment. Pre-fabricated structures are delivered onsite where they are ultimately assembled to complete the construction. These prefabricated structures are called modules. Since the site prep and production can happen simultaneously, the overall construction is faster too.

What are the benefits of modular construction?
As opposed to conventional construction, the modular method is faster and cheaper too. Typically it is observed that the modular method is 50% faster than the traditional means of construction. There is basically no delay while waiting for the foundation to be poured and the framing to go up – and then begin the construction. The buildings are up and running in half the time – with a superior quality.

Are modular construction materials of a lower quality?
This is a common misconception! In fact, modular constructions are of a superior quality even though the materials used are cheaper and lighter in weight. The materials used are just as sturdy as in any other construction and hence durable and reliable too. The structures are actually designed with a higher level of precision and consistency is maintained too – because the production happens in a highly controlled environment.

Is modular construction more expensive?
Again this is one more misconception. A modular construction project is 10% to 20% less expensive than a conventional construction project. Well, the good part is that it can fit various budgets too.

How long does it take to complete a modular construction?
Once the modules have been delivered to the site, it’s just about the time that is required to assemble them. This makes modular construction more and easier and hence quick too. Depending on the complexity of the design and the size of the project – this type of construction can be completed within months.

Is there a size limit for modular construction?
Well, the simple answer is – no. The only regulations that you could require to check are the government regulations in that area. You can otherwise design your building as large as you want. The rules are same as those that are applied to traditional construction.

This type of construction is becoming increasingly popular and more and more infrastructure projects prefer prefabricated parts that are assembled onsite. They prefer the quality, reliability and the flexibility along with the adaptability that this type of construction offers.