The Pros and Cons of Modular Construction
23rd December 2021
Modular construction is chosen by businesses and organisations across every sector due to its many benefits. To give you an unbiased idea of how modular construction works, the team at Portable Buildings Sales has put together a list of both the advantages and disadvantages that come with choosing the modular approach.
Advantage: Speed of installation
Modular construction is by far the faster option, as the buildings are manufactured in a factory and simply need to be installed on your site. Studies show that modular construction is 30-60% faster than the traditional construction route.
Advantage: Convenience
Due to your modular building being manufactured off-site, there’s no need to store construction materials, equipment and vehicles on your premises for days, weeks or even months on end. This saves space and makes it a hassle-free process.
Advantage: Less waste
For businesses that are looking to meet ambitious green targets, modular construction is definitely the best choice. Only the materials required are transported to your site and virtually zero waste is created whilst the modular building is being installed. In addition, the vast majority of waste created in the factory is recycled or repurposed, making it an environmentally friendly solution.
Advantage: Versatility
New modular buildings are designed with the user’s exact requirements and preferences in mind. Whether you need a new office, sales suite, classroom, changing rooms, catering facility, bike hub or even a shower unit, modular buildings can be designed to suit a wide range of purposes.
Advantage: Weather doesn’t cause delays
As well as being faster in general, modular construction is virtually unaffected by adverse weather conditions. This is because the modules arrive on your site pre-fitted, which means that they simply need to be installed by the team. The time associated with organising plumbing, electrical sockets, lighting, flooring and fixtures is removed from the equation.
Disadvantage: Size
Due to modular buildings being transported to your site, there is a limitation in terms of size. For instance, if you’re looking for a very large building to be added to your premises, the traditional construction route may be the best option.
That being said, many businesses, healthcare providers and educational organisations opt for purchasing multiple modular buildings, which can be designed to create a larger complex of new offices, meetings rooms and teaching spaces.
Disadvantage: Stigma
Despite modern modular buildings being of exceptional quality, adaptability and design, there’s still a stigma attached to them. The idea of the 1970s prefab leaps to mind, which is a far cry from the types of modular buildings available today.
Whilst this disadvantage is minor, it can sometimes make your internal planning process a little clunkier if some people raise concerns over choosing modular buildings in place of traditional construction.
Find out more
If you’re interested in new or used modular buildings for your commercial premises, please contact Portable Building Sales on 01482 656590 or use our contact form.