The construction industry can sometimes seem to be the slowest to innovate. Projects frequently run into significant setbacks that disrupt schedules and delay completion. Fortunately, offsite construction companies offer an alternative to the at-times erratic nature of traditional builds.
In this practice, the planning, designing, fabrication, manufacturing, transportation, and assembly of building components is completed in a separate location from their final destination. Companies use software and technologies like building information modeling (BIM) to optimize the process. This type of construction is beneficial in many projects, such as those on tight schedules or sites known for severe weather conditions.
There are different levels of offsite completion. Modular building, for example, is nearly finished out of the factory. Components often only need to be transported to and assembled at the installation site.
Constructing offsite has been possible for decades, but many companies hesitate to take the next steps in building innovation. Agorus® is leading the way in construction technology, developing the tools, software, and automation necessary to streamline residential construction.
What Is the Difference Between Onsite and Offsite Construction?
Onsite construction refers to the traditional methods of building, where all work is performed where the structure will permanently reside. Unforeseen circumstances like inclement weather, permit delays, and a lack of available personnel often lead to schedule delays.
Offsite construction exists as a solution to these frequent scheduling issues. Since most of the process occurs offsite – including prefabricating and assembling building components – the project’s duration is shorter, and delays are less likely to occur.
The Benefits of Choosing Offsite Construction Companies
Building housing units with the help of offsite construction companies can help you avoid problems you might typically encounter. Here are the advantages of choosing this approach.
- Faster: Construction is a slow process fraught with productivity and efficiency issues, leading to unpredictable schedules. Doing much of the work in a controlled environment reduces the risk of uncontrollable variables, improving the efficiency and speed of the project.
- Cost certainty: Fewer delays and setbacks means a stable schedule. Staying on schedule makes the overall cost of the project more predictable.
- Least site impact: Traditional construction methods have a negative environmental impact, producing air pollution, water pollution, and waste. Offsite construction technology can reduce the industry’s carbon footprint by reducing material waste, carbon emissions, and site disturbance.
- Higher quality: It is easier to practice precision manufacturing and enhance the quality of building components when they are constructed in a controlled setting.
- Safety: Laborers are exposed to fewer safety risks and working hazards, such as extreme heights and heat, in a controlled offsite environment.
In addition to improved efficiency, offsite construction has the potential to combat the nation’s housing crisis. With increased implementation, this practice could make more affordable student housing, apartment buildings, and dream homes a reality.
The Future of Offsite Construction
Offsite construction could offer significant monetary savings, sustainability improvements, and faster returns on investment (ROI) when implemented correctly. Despite promises to transform the construction industry, this method faces some roadblocks.
While it is not a new concept, there appears to be a steep learning curve. The process is very different from traditional construction, so many contractors feel that they must completely relearn their trade. Many industry insiders cite affordable housing and labor shortages as additional obstacles.
However, modular market shares are still expected to grow. According to the Modular Building Institute (MBI), from 2015 to 2020, annual permanent modular construction (PMC) market shares more than doubled from 2.14% to 4.39%. Additionally, new construction projects dropped overall in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, yet modular construction continued to grow.
At Agorus, we’re proud to bring residential construction into the future by building more efficiently. Our process eliminates many of the risks and challenges presented by traditional construction. We offer scalable, offsite construction solutions that make home and apartment building more accessible, convenient, and affordable.
FAQ
Why use modular construction?
Modular construction is beneficial because it saves time and money and brings a faster ROI. A modularly built house or apartment building can be used much sooner than one built traditionally. Offsite construction is typically done in a controlled environment, so it’s safer for workers. The expected timeframe and cost of completion are also much more predictable.
What is the difference between modular and prefab?
Modular structures are built in box-like, self-contained units, then delivered to the construction site for final assembly. They are mostly complete before they reach their destination. With prefabrication, building components are manufactured at a factory and assembled on the job site. All modular structures are prefabs, but not all prefabs are modular.
What is the life expectancy of a modular building?
The lifespan of modular buildings should be the same, if not longer, than that of a traditionally built structure. This is because both structures must adhere to the same building codes.