Photo by Dillon Kydd

Many have jumped on the prefab bandwagon for numerous reasons. For one thing, the traditional housing market has priced out various demographics. Therefore, due to their much lower cost and rapid off-site manufacturing, prefabrication presents a solution to the housing crisis. For example, 80% of a 56-story multi-family complex in Singapore is under off-site construction, with completion expected in 2026.

The shift toward remote work and multigenerational living arrangements has also boosted interest in smaller-scale prefab building. Homeowners can assemble accessory dwelling units for at-home offices or mother-in-law suites in weeks. This reduces the costs of building an addition for extra square footage.

Indeed, modular homes have undergone an architectural evolution, with more varied designs and aesthetics, room for customization and advanced features. Experts predict the U.S. will have a 7.8% compounded annual growth rate for modular construction by 2023. As of 2022, the global market was worth $90.79 billion.

Developers often stage residential properties with luxury decorative pieces and furnishings, giving potential buyers a taste of what living there could look like. The mass exodus of city dwellers, supply chain delays and telecommuting during the pandemic is a potential catalyst for instant home success. For instance, turnkey properties reduce long waiting periods for building a home and purchasing new furniture.

Washington State-based Brilliant Staging & Design is a prime example of an instant home interior design business. BSD consults with clients regarding their preferences, needs and budget, followed by product procurement and assembly.

BSD began offering instant home design services in response to clients’ growing interest in purchasing staged decor. Clients can enjoy their space from the moment they move in, with luxe items in their possession from the start.

• Customizable design: Prefab homes are no longer limited to standard box designs. Buyers want customization opportunities for unique, modern styles to reflect their tastes.
• Sustainability: Off-site construction is more sustainable than building at a homesite. However, buyers also want to create homes with sustainable materials and reduced energy consumption. For instance, rooftop solar provides 75%-100% of a home’s electricity, saving money on utilities.
• Comfort: Prefab homes are well-insulated for year-round interior comfort.
• Fast turnaround: Buyers look for rapid turnaround, ensuring their prefab homes are ready within shorter timelines.
• Quality construction: Modular homes must meet the same stringent building codes as conventional construction, using the most durable materials to withstand extreme weather.
• Buyers are also interested in prefab construction’s affordability. A prefab home is about 10%-25% cheaper than traditional new construction. Therefore, builders should ensure they price their designs competitively.

Instant homes may also have a high resale value, meaning homeowners can eventually sell them for a profit. However, it is essential to understand the market, location and household features to know if they would make gains.

Regardless, instant homes have changed the homebuying process for immediate enjoyment and satisfaction over cost-effectiveness.

Additionally, building information modeling creates a virtual representation of the project before construction is underway. BIM software boosts project efficiency and coordination for the best results.

Off-site construction is much safer than homesite builds, as manufacturing plants utilize autonomous machines and robots to build different prefab components. In 2021, the construction industry accounted for 46.2% of workplace fatalities from slips and falls.