The progress we’ve seen in just the last five years has been significant, and it’s important to acknowledge that we’ve come a long way in a short period of time because we’ve been able to capitalise on the experience of others.

However, factories can also be run inefficiently, and if traditional construction methods are simply shifted into a factory setting, the benefits of MMC can be diluted or lost..In some cases, building off-site in a factory may even be less efficient than on-site construction.

For example, prefabricated 3D modules (used in modular construction) involve many additional costs compared to conventional build.These include transportation (a pre-fabricated room is mostly air, after all) and heavy plant for lifting modules into place.Unless modules are fabricated on a just-in time basis they also have to be stored which costs money, especially if that storage needs to be sheltered from the elements.

3D modules also occupy large amounts of factory floor space and therefore absorb a high proportion of factory overheads..If these additional modular construction costs can be offset by large improvements in construction site efficiency, for example by relocating wet trades or complex specialist trades away from the site, a 3D module might make sense.

But, with modular construction, it’s often the case that prefabricating comparatively simple parts of a building as 3D modules adds cost and complexity, especially if the required trades need to be present on-site anyway..

The problems found in modular construction are only compounded by inefficient factory working.Delivery Platforms for Government Assets (2021 edition).. You can also.

view the book online, here.This is a newly updated edition of our original book on platforms..

The first edition of this book was written by.Jaimie Johnston MBE.