Is Prefab Better Than Traditional Building?
In the past, prefab construction was usually associated with mobile homes. As interest in sustainable home construction gains traction; however, prefab homes continue to evolve from their humble beginnings. When deciding between prefab and traditional building, there is no simple answer to the question: "Which is best?" As is the case with most sustainability decisions we take, the best option will depend on your particular circumstance. In this article, we take an in-depth look at the benefits and drawbacks of prefab and traditional homes. This analysis will help you make an educated decision regarding which type of residence will be best for you.
Photo Credit: Phoenix Haus
How Do Prefab Homes Work?
Prefab homes are a type of specialist dwelling manufactured off-site. Whereas traditional building focuses on shipping in 2x4s, plywood, and dozens of other building materials to the site where the home is to be located, prefab builders purchase materials in bulk and build homes in a central warehouse. Once completed, manufacturers ship the finished house to the building site.
In most cases, the only on-site construction associated with prefab buildings is the home foundation. Once the foundation is completed, the home ships to the site. With the help of a crane, the home is then lifted and secured to the foundation. Depending on the builder, some prefab homes come finished and turnkey. In other cases, the building shell is completed in a warehouse and shipped to the site. The interior finishes are then completed on-site.
Prefabricated homes, often referred to as prefab homes or simply prefabs, are specialist dwelling types of prefabricated buildings, which are manufactured off-site in advance, usually in standard sections that can be quickly shipped and assembled. According to a recent article by the Washington Post, "despite having been around for decades, prefab or modular homes made up just 2 percent of new single-family houses in 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau."
What's The Difference Between Prefab Homes And Stick-Built Homes?
Some homeowners mistakenly believe that prefab homes and stick-built homes differ mainly in the type of materials used in the construction process. However, both stick-built and prefab structures can use different types of building materials, methodologies, and technologies. The main difference is related to how and where the home is built. Stick-built homes refer to a home that is constructed entirely or mostly on-site. In contrast, prefab homes are built in factories or warehouses before shipping to the house site.
The name "stick-built" comes from the most common method of construction, referring to the superstructure of the walls and roof made from posts and beams. While most stick-built homes are made from 2x4s, metal posts and poles are also common. Many types of prefab or modular homes also use 2x4 post and beam structures. However, other examples of prefab homes include those made from insulated concrete forms, panelized homes, and structural insulated panels (SIPs).
Photo Credit: Collective Carpentry
How Long Do Prefabs Last vs Old Homes?
The durability of prefab and traditional homes largely depends on the building company. Unfortunately, as the housing market grows increasingly competitive, many builders attempt to cut costs with shoddy building materials and practices, resulting in less permanent homes. A traditional home built to passive house standards with a super-tight building envelope and high-performance insulation will most likely last a lifetime. Similarly, a prefab homemade from structural insulated panels could also be extremely sturdy and durable.
One advantage to prefab homes, however, is that due to the shipping process, most prefab and modular builders add an extra focus on durability. The homes built in factories and warehouses need to be sufficiently structurally sound to withstand the movement associated with shipping and being lifted by a crane onto a standing foundation. Prefab builders want to avoid the extra costs that would come with having to fix on-site a prefab home that fractured or cracked during the shipping and mounting process. Thus, most prefab homes will be exceptionally structurally sound with a motivated focus on rigorously tight building envelopes.
Photo Credit: Greater Sudbury
Are Prefabs Made From High-Quality Materials?
Again, it depends. Most prefab builders can save costs on materials through bulk purchasing. Also, the meticulous factory building process helps companies drastically cut down on construction waste and debris, which is an enormous cost. In 2017 alone, the construction industry accounted for over 20 million tons of construction and demolition waste. Besides occupying a tremendous amount of landfill space, this waste is an added cost that builders must assume.
Because prefab homes are more efficient in the use of building materials, they can often afford to invest in higher quality resources and supplies. The choice of better building materials depends on the individual contractor. However, homeowners interested in healthy and sustainable homes might be able to find prefab builders who focus on low-VOC building materials, bamboo plywood, and FSC-certified wood without significantly increasing the final price of the house.
Completed prefab MODCUBE laneway home by Synthesis Design
How Much Do Prefabs Cost vs Traditional Homes?
One of the most oft-cited advantages of prefab homes is that they are widely considered to be less expensive than stick-built homes. The efficiency in resource and material use alongside mass-production models that come with factory-built homes usually make them more affordable. Nonetheless, it is crucial to recognize that there can be hidden costs associated with the final home cost.
Homeowners interested in prefab homes should make sure that the quoted price includes delivery and crane fees. Also, if you are purchasing an unfinished prefab home, getting a detailed quote on the complete turnkey product is necessary. A finalized quote is critical, especially if you are working with different contractors. Of course, prefab homes also don't include the cost of land. In some areas, the value of a property can easily be equal to or even higher than the price of the home itself.
In general, however, homeowners can expect to pay between $180 and $220 per square foot for prefab homes. This amount usually includes all interior fixtures and amenities. Some stick-built homes are comparative in price, and might even be cheaper. Home Advisor finds that the average price for stick-built dwellings in 2019 was just $150 per square foot. However, customized stick-built homes can be increasingly expensive, with a cost of between $800 and $1,000 per square foot.
Do Prefab Homes Lose Value Faster Than Traditional Homes?
Numerous factors will determine the resale value of any home. The oft-repeated mantra of the real estate industry "location, location, location" is a testament to the fact that the type of construction is often less important than where your home is located. Nonetheless, some types of prefab homes might be harder to sell down the road due to the overwhelming popularity of customized stick-built homes.
Many prefab builders are today offering customization building plans. However, there is still a stigma around these types of homes that they are mass-produced, cooking cutter-style in appearance. A fully-customized stick-built home will probably cost you significantly more upfront, though it could hold a higher resale value down the road. As more homeowners begin to appreciate the sustainability benefits associated with prefab homes, however, their resale value may continue to rise.
So, is prefab better than traditional building? The answer, of course, is that it depends on several different aspects and features that relate to your particular context and situation. Finding a home contractor with experience in sustainability building experience is by far the most critical part of the decision making process.
