Why is there such a stigma against prefabricated homes in the UK and is it true?
Prefabricated construction offers increased efficiency, reliability, and is more cost-effective than traditional construction methods. Companies such as the property investment start-up Concept Capital Group are on a mission to educate the public on prefabricated homes. However, less than 10% of housing in the UK is being constructed using prefabricated methods – despite the ongoinghousing crisis and the need to construct millions more affordable homes. What is stopping the construction industry and the public from choosing prefab?
The History of Prefabricated Homes
Prefabricated homes were seen as a temporary response to the housing crisis in the post-war years and many had an estimated lifespan of only 10 years. This historical link has caused misconceptions to persist, including that prefab homes are aesthetically displeasing and are only a short-term housing solution.For many, when prefabricated construction is mentioned, images of boxy prefabricated buildings after the Second World War are conjured, causing them to be stigmatized as being poorly constructed.It surprises many to find out that some of the post-war prefab homes are still standing seventy years later. To pave the way for a new generation of modular housing, it is necessary to overcome this misconception, that modular construction only provides short-term building solutions that are unattractive and of poor quality.
The Truth of Prefabricated Homes
Prefabricated homes nowadays are attractive and can be custom-made to people’s needs and budget, they can even be hard to identify as prefabricated homes. Many compare prefabricated homes to cars on an assembly line, as they are constructed in controlled internal environments and offer many customization options. As technology has improved and prefabricated construction has diversified, prefabricated homes have proven to be sustainable, efficient, flexible, and long-term.
What Needs to Change?
Construction is a conservative and divided sector and there is an outdated perception of prefabricated homes. As highlighted, this preconception is that prefabricated homes are temporary and not along-term solution. Moreover, there is generally still a negative connotation surrounding modular homes among homeowners. Homeowners want the dream home, which has always been seen to be a bricks-and-mortar home. This is the challenge companies pioneering the use of prefabricated homes have, alongside the industry as a whole. These persistent misconceptions are a concern shared by many as it is believed to be the biggest obstacle to the increased use of modular construction in the UK.
Many prefab pioneers call for more to be done to grow prefab construction in the industry. It has been suggested that increased support from the government for research and development to integrate new technologies with lower carbon solutions would be a positive move. Furthermore, it is encouraged that government incentives and clear targets to fast track the uptake of modular construction would increase the use of prefabs.The industry is in desperate need of alternative housing solutions and, as a more sustainable solution, the industry is encouraged to challenge the misconceptions. Moreover, experts advise the wider industry to share knowledge, collaborate, be flexible, and look for solutions and clear processes in the adoption and growth of prefabricated homes.
Concept Capital Group believes in prefabricated homes first. Their buy-to-let prefab property investment opportunity has helped to house over 200 individuals and families across the UK into affordable, UK-manufactured prefabricated homes. The homes are energy-efficient, build to BSI’s BS3632 Standard and have a lifespan of 25 years. To learn more about prefabricated homes and the ethical investment opportunity that is providing an affordable housing solution to those who need it, as well as make investors high-yield annual returns, check out their website or call 0208 138 1888.