The construction industry is continuously evolving. Driven primarily by a need to improve delivery times and reduce costs, the industry’s evolution is also benefitting from innovations in new technology that promote efficiency, the introduction of building products that support the environment, and by leveraging project management systems and tools that help to reduce the impact of supply chain disruptions. Two of these modern construction trends we will discuss in more detail are prefabrication and modular construction.
As it relates to innovations that improve project efficiency, one of the most recent trends is the use of prefabrication. Not only does this process enhance efficiency, it also improves the building quality, safety, and speed. Prefabrication is a process by which large panels of a project are built independently offsite and then transported to the project site for installation. Once on site, large panels or sections of exterior walls are installed. When compared to framing individual boards onsite, installing prefabricated panels can speed up framing from the foundation to the roof and ultimately reduce the impact of weather on the overall timeline.
Another process that can be employed to enhance efficiency is modular construction. While there are a number of benefits to using modular construction to build a project, it is a system that requires a significant amount of advanced planning. Modular construction is a process in which the building is designed and built in large modular pieces within an offsite controlled environment. When ready, each module is shipped to the project site and assembled into one large building.
As modular systems may be built off site in a warehouse as much as six months in advance of the foundation being laid, this process has implications for the financing structure as it may require releasing funds before a typical closing. Bank approvals and project inspections can also be somewhat challenging to manage.
When considering the use of prefabrication or modular construction techniques, it is important to note that both processes must be considered early in the planning stages and the final project design must account for it. It is also imperative that the developer, lender, and inspectors all have a full understanding of the scope of the project to ensure that the general contractor has the funding and support that it needs to meet the client’s expectations.
The construction industry is continuously evolving. Driven primarily by a need to improve delivery times and reduce costs, the industry’s evolution is also benefitting from innovations in new technology that promote efficiency, the introduction of building products that support the environment, and by leveraging project management systems and tools that help to reduce the impact of supply chain disruptions. Two of these modern construction trends we will discuss in more detail are prefabrication and modular construction.
As it relates to innovations that improve project efficiency, one of the most recent trends is the use of prefabrication. Not only does this process enhance efficiency, it also improves the building quality, safety, and speed. Prefabrication is a process by which large panels of a project are built independently offsite and then transported to the project site for installation. Once on site, large panels or sections of exterior walls are installed. When compared to framing individual boards onsite, installing prefabricated panels can speed up framing from the foundation to the roof and ultimately reduce the impact of weather on the overall timeline.
Another process that can be employed to enhance efficiency is modular construction. While there are a number of benefits to using modular construction to build a project, it is a system that requires a significant amount of advanced planning. Modular construction is a process in which the building is designed and built in large modular pieces within an offsite controlled environment. When ready, each module is shipped to the project site and assembled into one large building.
As modular systems may be built off site in a warehouse as much as six months in advance of the foundation being laid, this process has implications for the financing structure as it may require releasing funds before a typical closing. Bank approvals and project inspections can also be somewhat challenging to manage.
When considering the use of prefabrication or modular construction techniques, it is important to note that both processes must be considered early in the planning stages and the final project design must account for it. It is also imperative that the developer, lender, and inspectors all have a full understanding of the scope of the project to ensure that the general contractor has the funding and support that it needs to meet the client’s expectations.
