In prefab and modular building, components — from façade elements to complete bathrooms or homes — are produced in a factory hall and assembled on site. That shortens the build time, reduces nuisance and moves work into controlled conditions.
Benefits
In the factory, quality is easier to control, there is less dependence on the weather, and failure costs drop because dimensions and detailing are worked out in advance. Working conditions and safety also improve.
What to watch
Prefab demands early and fully developed engineering: changes late in the process are expensive. Good coordination between design, production and logistics is crucial, as is attention to transport, lifting equipment and the connections between elements.