Modular pros and cons - Pt. 1
Yesterday I explained in the most simplest terms what modular or off-site construction is and gave the leading example as to why builders, developers and architects are attracted to this alternative method which is simply SPEED.
As I mentioned before, I am in business development and project management for a modular manufacturing company. I see the advantages and I also see first hand how modular isn't always a natural fit for certain products. In fact, on a weekly basis I find myself turning down potential contracts because some development plans I get are just not suited for modular. Though it can be done and we can make money, I usually steer them in a better direction that would be more conducive to traditional stick-built construction because modular just wasn't economically feasible for that specific project.
I hope to talk about some of those reasons it just wouldn't work as well as why I think in most cases, in most new products, in most regions and in most development situations, modular makes sense all day.
First I'm going to start with THEORY pros and cons, than later we will get into APPLICATION pros and cons.
Theory
Pro #1 - Less waste - With conventional, on-site construction, it is practically pre-calculated in the budget that there will be a surplus of material left over. This material whether it can be used for another project or not is considered waste. There are lots of things that are classified as waste on a job site. Excess building materials, trash and wasted resources (poor work flow sequencing due to poor management) just to name a few.
When materials are ordered, most of the time the GC tries to be as accurate as possible in ordering the correct quantity but he or she knows that in most cases because of damage or accidents, he or she will slightly over estimate the quantity. Sometimes, even if the order is perfect and every bit of material is planned to be used without any leftover or any need to order more, unexpected climate changes can screw that all up and ruin material because on a traditional construction site, it is hard to protect tools and materials from certain weather conditions.
Now picture a completely different environment like a factory with an assembly line. Every piece of material is carefully calculated and has a predetermined destination. There is almost never any surplus of material unless done purposefully. In modular construction, there is so much careful consideration in the planning and pre-construction phase that there is usually never a need to over-estimate product.
On top of this, the fact that every worker has there specific station and duty in a very controlled and safe and out of the natural elements environment, that the chances of damaged, unused product is very slim. Think of modular like a major auto manufacturer. They build the same cars over and over and over. They know exactly what materials and how much of it are going to be used every single time. It is nearly the same in a modular manufacturing plant. Even though not every project will be the same, the materials, tools and product never leave the factory, are all stored in a protected environment and will all be used at some point safely stored away.
And a byproduct of this is that there is less trash. Less material needing to be ordered equals less garbage and translates to an environmentally greener building process. LEED friendly and approved which is a win win for everyone.
Next up is Pro # 2 - Less Site Disturbance...