Modular construction is an innovative process with many benefits. With this type of construction, buildings are created as individual sections or "modules," which are constructed off-site in a controlled manufacturing facility. These modules are then transported to and assembled at the final building site. They use the same materials and meet the same codes and standards as conventionally built facilities, but typically take about half the time.
There are several key differences between modular construction and the traditional variety. One of the main differences is that the majority of modular construction takes place within a manufacturing facility, while traditional construction occurs on the final building site and happens from the ground up.
The traditional approach to construction requires you to get the site ready before you can start the building process. With modular construction, however, site preparation can begin while the manufacturing facility is producing the modules, which means this type of project can take significantly less time to complete.
Aside from construction location and site preparation, there are many additional distinctions that make modular construction so much different than the traditional variety. Through understanding these deviations, you'll understand why companies are beginning to switch from traditional to modular construction methods.
Perhaps the most significant difference between modular and traditional construction is the way each method executes its building processes. Though both styles involve most of the same steps, the execution will vary based on their capabilities.
Modular and traditional construction differs in the following operations:
Because traditional construction processes are carried out in a linear fashion, workers must wait to execute the next step until the previous one is complete. The lag time in between increases how long it takes to finish the project, which could take anywhere from six months to a year.
On the other hand, modular construction enables builders to start the foundation and manufacture the building simultaneously, significantly shortening the process. Through the modular method, you can complete a building in as little as two to four months.
Modular construction tends to be more cost-effective than traditional building methods because of how much less time the process takes to complete, resulting in increased return on investment (ROI) due to earlier occupancy. The modular approach also helps companies cut down on construction expenses through its lower cost of assembly and installation.
Because traditional construction takes much longer to complete and is highly dependent on weather conditions and laborer abilities, the associated costs are much higher.
Because the entirety of the modular building process takes place in a manufacturing facility, it allows for greater quality control during fabrication than traditional construction. Factories provide a controlled environment with constant supervision from higher-ups, ensuring that all modules are manufactured according to industry regulations.
Traditional construction takes place on-site in a less controlled environment, making it more challenging to maintain quality standards.
There are two main types of modular construction:
In addition to significant time savings, there are many other advantages to modular construction methods:
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