[germainebull]

The concept of using prefabricated components to construct houses has gained traction in the recent years. How have you embraced this concept?

[shamzblueworld]

Can you please elaborate on this? I have not heard this term before so it will be nice to know. Why don't you explain it and also maybe list some pros and cons.

[nakitakona]

As far as I could remember sometime in early 70s, we had a prefabricated school houses. What the recipient school to do with the materials for these school houses is to assemble the different part like the beams and the trusses, the roofings, the doors. It won't take much time or days to complete the assembly of the said school houses. I think this is also true with this fabricated houses.

[Angie10]

To be honest, I think prefab houses are a good idea, especially for those who can't afford a traditional structure. I'm not sure if we have them here in Botswana, though. But just last week I covered an event where this company was donating a house to a lady who needed it but had no means of securing decent dwellings.

I was shocked to hear it had taken 5 days to construct the 2-bed house! I can't quite remember the technology used to build it, but it was very interesting to learn about it. Any method of building structures that makes it a lot more affordable to the less privileged is ok by me. I mean, I would get that sort of house built in a heartbeat. I'd like to see a time when nobody has to live in a shack anywhere in the world.

[sprite1950]

Prefabs were built after the second World War in the UK to beat the housing crisis. There is talk of building another wave of these buildings to tackle the more recent housing crisis in Britain. They would certainly be a quick fix solution.

[nangk08]

Prefabricated houses are a good and economical way to address housing issues for those who cannot afford their own homes. Another positive benefit of such houses is that they can be built quickly in just a few days. However, In my country, I doubt if it will be adopted so easily .

[germainebull]

Prefabricated houses are a good and economical way to address housing issues for those who cannot afford their own homes.

Prefabs are gaining traction even among those people who have the financial wherewithal to build conventional homes in my country. People are increasingly divorcing the notion that a house needs to be built in months or even years.

[chikitta]

It is a good idea and it saves people a lot of work mechanism and finances. It happens to be cheaper than starting up a new house construction.

[Ldynjeans]

In some parts of the US they are very popular, but they have gotten quite expensive.

[haripriyavkl]

As a civil engineer, I like the technology of prefab construction. Everything is factory made in highly sophisticated conditions. You just have to assemble it and voila your house is ready to use. It takes from days to even hours and it depends on the structure. Though it is very expensive it will solve the problem of houses crisis. Here in India the technology has not come but it is used in Europe and many American countries.

[oldbuddy]

This has been a common practice in the US for a long time and I like the idea. One example I saw is a couple that owned an orchard and had their prefab home erected right on the spot, so they could keep a close eye on their livelihood and have a short distance to be at work every day.

[germainebull]

I wonder why prefab construction technology is expensive in the US. Here in Africa, it has been touted and demonstrated to be cheaper compared to traditional brick and mortar construction technology.

[Ldynjeans]

Everything is expensive here now. Im sure they are probably cheaper than traditional houses, but not much.

"It's estimated that modular construction costs 5-25 percent less than traditional homes built on-site, although some companies claim savings of up to 50 percent. Prices start around $50,000-$60,000 for an 800-900-square-foot home (1 or 2 bedrooms, 1 bath) but can go as high as $500,000-$1 million for large, customized, high-quality homes. And that's without the land, foundation or other site work." ~ quote from a website called cost helper.

[germainebull]

Everything is expensive here now. Im sure they are probably cheaper than traditional houses, but not much.

"It's estimated that modular construction costs 5-25 percent less than traditional homes built on-site, although some companies claim savings of up to 50 percent. Prices start around $50,000-$60,000 for an 800-900-square-foot home (1 or 2 bedrooms, 1 bath) but can go as high as $500,000-$1 million for large, customized, high-quality homes. And that's without the land, foundation or other site work." ~ quote from a website called cost helper.

Please take note that some of the statistics provided by most 'experts';ought to be taken with a pinch of salt. MOst 'experts' have vested interests and thus provide self-serving statiostics.

It'd thus be better to consult varied sources so as to arrive at objective conclusions about many technologies.

[Ldynjeans]

My ex husband used to sell these houses, so although he wasn't an expert, I did learn first hand a little about the cost of them in our area at the time, and they were priced quite high then as well.

[germainebull]

My ex husband used to sell these houses, so although he wasn't an expert, I did learn first hand a little about the cost of them in our area at the time, and they were priced quite high then as well.

This is a curious bit.
How/why would a prospective home owner choose the prefab option if this is costly than the conventional option?

[Ldynjeans]

I'm not saying it is more costly than a traditional, however, they seem to be quite high for what they are. I would worry more about the longevity of the home compared to a traditional. I have lived in a mobile home/trailer at one time, although I understand these new modular homes may be built better than a mobile home they are still similar in structure.

[germainebull]

I have lived in a mobile home/trailer at one time

In my estimation, this kind of home is sturdier than most traditional models.
What do you think?

[amitkokiladitya]

I have seen a video regarding them and was really stunned by seeing the technology. But sadly this is nit prevalent here in India.
It will take long time i think to be a part of construction programs.

[thisnthat]

Everything is expensive here now. Im sure they are probably cheaper than traditional houses, but not much.

"It's estimated that modular construction costs 5-25 percent less than traditional homes built on-site, although some companies claim savings of up to 50 percent. Prices start around $50,000-$60,000 for an 800-900-square-foot home (1 or 2 bedrooms, 1 bath) but can go as high as $500,000-$1 million for large, customized, high-quality homes. And that's without the land, foundation or other site work." ~ quote from a website called cost helper.

I think it really depends on the area, but yeah, some of them are ridiculously priced.

-- 25 Jan 2017, 16:39 --

I'm not saying it is more costly than a traditional, however, they seem to be quite high for what they are. I would worry more about the longevity of the home compared to a traditional. I have lived in a mobile home/trailer at one time, although I understand these new modular homes may be built better than a mobile home they are still similar in structure.

This. I would not pay close to what a real house costs for a mobile or modular home.

-- 25 Jan 2017, 16:40 --

In my estimation, this kind of home is sturdier than most traditional models.
What do you think?

Generally, no, they are usually not nearly as sturdy as a brick and mortar home.