What is Prefab House

Prefab is short for prefabrication, which refers to construction process where some building elements are built off-site and shipped to construction site for installation. This is to be distinguished from conventional construction process, where building materials, instead of complete assemblies, are transported to building site for installation.

The most widely used form of prefabrication in building and civil engineering is the use of prefabricated concrete and prefabricated steel sections in structures where a particular part or form is repeated many times. Essentially, prefab homes are homes that are constructed in a factory before being shipped to a building site in pieces, where they’re then assembled on-site in a matter of days.

The benefits of going with a prefab home may not be immediately clear before you do some research. The most important points to consider are:

Shorter build time: In most cases a brand new prefab home can be constructed in a matter of weeks rather than the 6-12 months it takes for a traditional home. This applies to both on and off-site construction, so if you are in a hurry to move in you won’t have to wait too long. It also means not having to suffer a year – or more - of builders constantly coming and going from the site.

Predictability: From the very start of the project you’ll know how much it is going to cost and when it will be completed, making it easier to manage and organize everything else around the build. In comparison, traditional builds rarely meet the initial deadline, adding significantly to costs.

Less stress: If you choose to build it off-site, many prefab companies provide a service that will do the hard labor for you. This comes at an extra cost but it guarantees a high quality build and much less stress and worry. And if you build off-site there will be no delays caused by adverse weather conditions.

Rental income: Building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) can also be done on your existing land, affording you potential rental opportunities in a short space of time.  

There is a perception that prefab homes are not as safe as traditional properties due to the alternative construction methods involved. However, this is certainly not the case for a number of reasons.

Firstly, prefab homes have to be constructed to meet strict building code regulations, supported by regular on-site inspections at every stage. This is more stringent than site-built homes which only require a single inspection. Another reason prefab homes are a safe option is due to the manufacturing process. They are constructed in a controlled environment using equipment specifically designed to reinforce the structure for long-term usage. Traditional contractors do not have access to this sort of equipment when building a home on-site.

Just because prefab houses are not made in the same way as traditional homes it doesn’t mean they are not as safe to live in. But, of course, any sensible home buyer will want to know they are getting value for money before making a commitment.

As with building any type of property, how long it will last will depend on a number of factors. The quality of materials used play a big role, as this will dictate how well it can withstand general wear and tear and external elements.

How the prefab home is constructed will also play a significant role in how long it will last. The more skilled and experienced the people involved with building it are, the more assurance you will have that it will stand up to the rigors of time. 

Also remember that building a traditional home means the materials are exposed to the elements from the very beginning of the process, while the sections of a prefab house are made within the four walls of a factory affording them better protection.

When it comes to the delivery of a prefab, because they have to be shipped in modules, the material needs to be robust enough to withstand the issues that can arise with lengthy transportation. In order to achieve this, the manufacturing process ensures the material is often a lot more reliable than those used with traditional stick methods.