If you think prefab equals low quality, think again. As builders and homeowners strive to reduce project costs while maintaining quality, prefabrication is becoming an increasingly attractive option. So what exactly is prefab? Prefabrication is an efficient way to improve standards while minimizing manufacturing and labor costs. With advanced tools and equipment, off-site manufacturing produces more consistent results than traditional building techniques. This helps streamline the entire construction process — from design to installation.
Let's take a closer look at how prefabrication can improve the overall quality of your construction project.
Moving construction to a quality-controlled factory setting removes multiple variables that could damage building materials or halt the construction process, including theft, vandalism, and poor weather conditions. As such, prefab systems are a step ahead in quality before construction even starts.
The conditions of off-site construction are better for both the materials and construction workers. Adequate lighting and shelter from the weather provide improved visibility so construction workers and machine operators can do their best work and make it home in time for dinner. They also have access to specialized equipment that can build prefab components to exact specifications.
With this precision comes improved construction tolerances, which have both aesthetic and functional benefits for homeowners. Minimizing gaps in modular homes, for example, reduces air leakage and makes heating and cooling more efficient. All of our Plungies have a variance of 0.5% or less in their overall size.
Factory environments make quality control easy. Prefab structures can be assessed at each stage of production to ensure they are up to standard before they leave the factory floor.
At Plungie, we have an in-house quality assurance monitoring team that takes care of this. If we find that a pool exterior doesn’t qualify for Class 2 concrete finish, we’ll make sure it is brought up to standard.
This ensures that homeowners and builders receive a safe product while reducing construction errors and, therefore, rework required on-site. Rework can reduce productivity by up to 300%, so quality control in prefab construction has important implications for efficiency as well as quality.
It’s no secret that the construction industry is facing a skills shortage, with 40% of the current workforce expected to retire in the next 10 years. Homeowners and builders are less likely to feel the impacts of this labor shortage with prefab solutions, which can be quickly and easily assembled or installed once they arrive on site.
The simplicity of prefab systems allows less experienced construction workers or smaller construction teams to achieve high-quality results. Take the pool building process, for example. Once upon a time, this required hiring a specialist pool builder — something that can be difficult if you live in a regional area. Now, with the simplicity of a prefab Plungie, builders can handle the home build and pool installation.
Unfortunately, a small number of unreliable companies contribute to a ‘cheap and nasty’ reputation for prefab construction. While this is not reflective of the prefab construction industry as a whole, there are certain green flags you can look for to find the right fit for your project.
Although it may seem simple, asking these questions first will help your project run a little smoother. All the information should be easily accessible on their website. Then, you can experience the enhanced quality that is possible through prefab construction.