Modular Vs. On-Site Construction.

It depends on the company. Larger projects allow you to tap into economies of scale that make developments more profitable for modular factories and the developers leading them. Generally, VBC looks for projects at least 75,000 square feet (7,000 square meters). Generally, the more repeatable the development the better fit for modular.

This also depends on the factory you’re working with, but modular construction can be customized. For example, Volumetric Building Companies has a catalog of units that can be altered to allow a developer to maximize square footage and rental price per square foot yet still enable speedy implementation. All the interior finish packages are fully customizable.

Generally, modular projects are most competitive from a pricing standpoint in urban areas with a high cost of construction. Modular has the added benefit of offering minimal site disruptions in dense urban areas. There are lots of situations where it would be far more ideal to have a construction crew on site for 8 months rather than 19, like building student housing for busy college campuses.

One of the reasons owners/builders are struggling to keep up with the demand for affordable housing is the lack of qualified labor. Labor shortages were compounded with the passage of the November 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The act created great demand for construction workers, many of whom work in multiple sectors.

Factory-built apartments and other housing built off-site require less skilled labor across all trades. Again, machines and technology can be a greater part of the process.

Construction within a factory is done primarily on an assembly line. The workforce can be trained more quickly and easily because they’re responsible for only one section of a building.

In addition, factories are in centralized locations and can draw workers from the surrounding population. Onsite building takes place everywhere, including some locations where few people live. A remote location can make it difficult to form a work crew which can drive up labor costs and reduce efficiency.

When the Pre Con team issues a ROM cost (Budget) we accompany this document with a clear scope of works that details what’s included and importantly what is not. Our Team makes sure to highlight any assumptions made so you can compare like-for-like pricing schedules.

Every building will have a fire strategy and our buildings are designed to ensure we achieve these standards. Regardless of the fire standards in a given region or country, we adhere our assembly process to meet the codes required. Since we manufacture in a controlled environment it is easy to inspect work in progress to check for compliance and adherence to the design standards. Inspection of assembled modules is often done in the factory by the client’s inspectors which could be a Building Control Officer or Fire Officer.

Yes, the products offered by VBC are constructed to a specific design according to the seismic zone where the building is to be situated. For more information on specifics relating to your project please speak with one of our specialists.

Yes. The products offered by VBC are constructed to a specific design according to the hurricane zone where the building is to be situated. For more information on specifics relating to your project please speak with one of our specialists.

Transportation does have an impact on the cost of the project but the benefits of faster construction periods and less disruption on site generally offset those cost increases, within reason. VBC has three global factories located on both American coasts and centrally within Europe to ensure that transportation by land or sea is cost-effective. You can talk to our business development team and get a sense up front if the transportation costs will be prohibitive within your development zone.

Anything VBC builds will meet the requirement of any local codes. There are no specific codes relating to MMC, more so general building codes/standards that are to be achieved.