A breakthrough year for Modular Homes?

Analyst predicts that 2018 will be the breakthrough year for modular housing.

Modular homes (also known as prefabricated homes) have come a long way since the last century. Not only do they provide aspiring home buyers with another way to achieve their dream. But, by being fast to build and of high quality it could be the tool Britain’s needs to solve the housing crisis. 

Currently, more than 15,000 houses are built through this method each year, however with the government's help, this figure could rise to 100,000 by 2020. What’s more, the likes of Berkely Homes and Legal & General are investing heavily in modular projects, even announcing plans for a new factory in Leeds which will produce 3,000 modular homes per year.

So, what’s causing the Modular boom?

• Compared to traditionally built homes, modular is more durable and energy efficient. The controlled conditions in which these homes are built, allow a better level of insulation to be achieved. 
• Building modular homes is a fast process, often taking as little as a month to build. One Cambridgeshire firm claims to build a house in 20 days.
• Technology advances are driving higher levels of quality.
• There’s no need to worry about having a large workforce as less labour is required to build these homes.
• Modular homes are not necessarily ‘cheap’, however, they can be an affordable alternative particularly for those looking to build a luxury home.

Challenges facing modular development?

The majority of modular properties in Britain are small units like apartments. So, developers looking to build larger properties face the challenge of creating affordable homes, as well as, transporting large properties across the country on a large scale.

Watch out 2018:

Modular holds the potential to plug the housing and skills gap in the UK, providing quality and affordable new homes. With the housebuilding sector eager to adopt innovative new building techniques, there is no doubt that the challenges facing modular development will be overcome allowing this innovation to take off.