Prefab houses – Worth the investment or a waste of money?

16 May, 2023

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Prefabricated housing is a popular style of housing in Europe for several decades. In addition to being used for residential purposes, prefabricated housing is also created with the aim of recycling and reducing the amount of waste in the environment. So what is prefabricated housing and what are its advantages and disadvantages? Let’s find out in detail in the article below.

What is prefabricated housing?

Prefabricated housing is a type of housing in which the necessary structures are made in a factory, workshop… and then assembled at the desired location like tables, chairs… The form of prefabricated housing was born with the aim of reducing costs, time and minimizing the amount of waste into the environment during construction. On the other hand, this is also the optimal solution for areas prone to natural disasters, floods, earthquakes…

Due to the nature and purpose of development, the building materials of prefabricated housing must meet both criteria of lightness and durability. In addition, most of the structures and accessories in the house are removable, except for some individual elements such as walls, floors, roofs, closets and supports that need to be cast to ensure stability.

Types of prefab houses

Up to now, modular homes have undergone many improvements compared to the primitive times and are classified into 3 small groups: manufactured homes, modular homes, and mobile homes.

Manufactured homes: formerly called mobile homes or trailers and renamed to manufactured homes in the 1970s according to the latest housing law. Manufactured homes have 3 popular sizes: single-wide, double-wide, and triple-wide – indicating the number of sections of a house. Unlike the other two types, this style is built complete at the assembly site and then moved to the final foundation location. In addition, the interior design of manufactured homes is very convenient, similar to traditional homes, so it is chosen by many people.
Modular homes: a house structure assembled from parts created in a factory, all of which are disassembled until transported to the predetermined assembly location. The advantage of this type of home is that all parts inside the house are made from the same material, and users can adjust the size according to their needs.
Mobile homes: are homes that can be moved from one place to another thanks to the wheels installed at the bottom. Mobile homes are also manufactured and assembled in specialized facilities, but because they can be moved and have a compact size, they do not necessarily require a fixed land area. Therefore, instead of being considered a home, mobile homes are viewed as personal property.

Advantages and disadvantages of prefabricated housing

Buying a modular home is not a bad idea in an era where everything is changing rapidly and developing quickly, but if you do not carefully research the pros and cons of this type of home before buying, it is easy to pay a high price for an unsuitable home.

Advantages of modular homes

Energy efficiency: One of the most practical benefits of modular homes is energy savings due to their tight construction, modern window design, and open space that allows for good ventilation and heat retention.
Short construction time: The components of modular homes are all pre-made, so all the homeowner needs to do is assemble and connect the house to necessary utilities. As a result, construction is not dependent on weather conditions, and reduces the likelihood of occupational accidents during the construction process.
Cost-effective: Modular homes do not cost as much as traditional homes. This is partly because the number of laborers involved in assembly is insignificant and the amount of raw materials required can be estimated specifically.

Disadvantages of modular homes

Transportation and assembly: As mentioned above, the components of modular homes will be manufactured in a factory before being assembled into a complete home. Therefore, if the foundation site is too far from the factory, the homeowner will have to pay a considerable amount for transportation, not to mention that the structures of the house can be damaged during transport.
Homeowners must buy land: Although modular homes are more cost-effective than traditional homes, they still require purchasing land to lay the foundation and completing various related procedures (except for mobile homes). However, this cost is not small when land prices are constantly rising each year.
Hidden costs: Most quoted prices from brokers will not include additional charges or surcharges during assembly. If the buyer is careless or has no knowledge of this field, it is very easy to be misled and think that the home they have chosen is the most cost-effective. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with someone who has purchased before or has experience in this field.
Lack of solidity: If traditional homes are dug deep into the ground and filled with a solid layer of concrete before being built to order, then the foundation of modular homes is located directly on the ground. Therefore, during storms or strong winds, modular homes are not very safe.

Price of Prefabricated housing

The price of a modular home will be based on 4 basic factors, including the chosen materials, the area, the location, and the interior design. High-quality materials or demanding designs can significantly increase the price. Currently, house prices are usually calculated per square meter and range from about 2-4 million VND per square meter. Those who intend to buy a modular home can multiply this number by the estimated area to have a reference price before meeting with a real estate agent.

20+ Prefabricated House Models

Despite having some drawbacks, prefabricated houses are still the optimal choice when the cost of owning a traditional house is increasing rapidly. Below are some models of houses that not only have affordable prices but also look luxurious, which you can refer to if you have plans to own a prefabricated house in the near future.