Prefab homes are becoming more and more popular. From those looking to downsize into something more manageable to people looking for additional income by adding another dwelling onto their section, prefab is the solution that delivers a brand new home at a fraction of the cost.
As we look into why transportable homes and prefab homes especially are so popular, we'll also answer many of the most common questions we're asked about our homes so you can gain a better understanding of whether a Manor Build home is ideal for you.
What is a prefabricated home?
A prefabricated, or prefab, home is a house that is built inside a factory to the customer's specifications before being delivered to site. Prefabricated homes have many benefits as the controlled environment they're built in reduces delays due to weather. It also means things like electrical work can be done before the shell is weathertight. This means the house can often be built much faster than a house built 'on-site' and costs can be more easily controlled.
Also, because a prefabricated home is built in a factory, the supplies can be bought in bulk and stored within the facility to achieve greater bulk-buying discounts and greater savings for homeowners.
What is a transportable home?
This is a home that goes from one place to another. Sometimes the home can do this multiple times, in which case it generally gets called a relocatable home, but any home that gets moved from one location to another can be called a transportable home.
Prefabricated homes fit into this category because they have to go from the factory where they were built, to their final location. Unlike a relocatable home a prefab home becomes permanently fixed to its new location and can't be easily moved on in the same way again. The transportable part of a prefabricated home's life is one of the most interesting parts. Large prefab homes can be transported in parts and connected together on site, which is why some prefab home designs are sometimes called 'modular'.
What is a modular home?
Typically a modular home is one where multiple pieces (which have been prefabricated) come together on site after being transported there. A prefab home company might be able to transport your home in one piece to the site, or your design might require it to be transported in parts. The latter example would technically make the home a modular home.
It's more common for modular homes to need more finishing on location than a home that's completed in a factory and delivered whole to your site. This is because they're often built in elements, with a bedroom being one element, a bathroom another and the garage a third.
So a prefab home is all three?
In essence, yes! Our opinion is that a prefab home combines the best of these three innovative methods to provide affordable and accessible housing across New Zealand. Costs can be lowered due to the controlled factory-built approach, site disruption minimised with an easy deliver of the home and large homes can still be designed and built thanks to a take on the modular approach.
Do you really deliver across New Zealand?
There are prefab housing companies across the country but we focus on supplying the North Island of New Zealand with our homes. There are a number of places we may struggle to reach (depending on the size of the home) but we are able to serve most across across the island.
If you're unsure of the roads to your site, or if access is limited then we can work with you to assess the situation. A combination of photos or videos supplied by you and using satellite mapping means we can make a good judgement beforehand quite easily. We may end up sending a specialist to assess if things are unclear, at no cost to you.
I'm interested in a prefab home
Then you've come to the right place! As mentioned they are often cheaper and quicker to build than a conventional on-site built home and can be perfect for people looking to downsize or add an income-generating property on their section.
If that sounds like you then why not chat to a member of the team and see how we can help. Simply click the button below to submit and enquiry and we'll be in touch to answer your questions.
