Prefab builds the answer
Prefabrication process shaves time off getting new homes built
It seems every day there’s a media story about the housing shortage and viewpoints from experts on solutions. One that gets a lot of airtime is prefabrication which, in simple terms, means building in an off-site enclosed environment such as a manufacturing facility.
Although Hawke’s Bay is blessed with a good climate, the construction of residential and commercial buildings does slow down due to weather conditions. Prefabrication is also a streamlined building process — where many parts of constructing a building can be done at the same time.
We have been building using the prefabrication process for more than 15 years and if the Government and agencies such as Housing New Zealand want to get some quick runs on the board with quality housing — then prefabrication is definitely the answer.
Our business Cottages NZ, a winner of the Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, has four buildings inside at any one time with a further six outside awaiting the internal work to be completed.
When it’s raining and cold outside the team remain busy building, painting, plumbing and wiring and completing a building project either on or before deadline.
The houses are built weather tight — not impacted by wet weather — and are built to the national building code and checked by building officers at the council.
Some naysayers might try to say that prefabricated buildings lack innovation and unique design — but that’s not the case at all.
We do offer standard sizes ranging from 30sq mto 110sq mand more but we also have built architecturally designed homes with energy innovations and latest smart technology.
I recently read a story that said “prefabrication is prefabulous” and that sings true for us and our many happy customers.
Prefabrication can take a lead when it comes to innovation and technology. PrefabNZ chief executive Pamela Bell, who visited us last month, recently explained in a lecture at the University of Auckland that prefab equals off-site plus innovation.
She said one reason for that: when you have to convince sceptical regulators and inspectors about new ways to do things, you have to do it well and according to BRANZ, the Building Research Association, a staggering 87 per cent of new houses (most of which are built on a section) have quality defects. Prefabrication also saves time with Pamela saying it could be up to 60 per cent.
She points to two international examples — a prefab factory in Tennessee where 300 workers make 20 houses a day and a company in China is putting up tower blocks at the rate of three storeys a day.
Prefab construction also reduces waste, which meets a sustainability goal and makes building cheaper. The working environment is also safer, with fewer workplace accidents and it’s more enjoyable (especially on a cold winters morning). Prefab doesn’t have to mean everyone gets the same house.
Template designs are important when you’re building at scale, but there are lots of different cookie cutters and decorations to make something look unique.
Prefabrication provides some much needed disruption to the building consent process — off-site, pre-consenting and bulk consulting. For example, Hastings District Council has recently approved two warrants to CHB District Council building inspectors that allow buildings destined to CHB to a single building consent. Previously two building consents were required — one for the construction and the other for relocation and on-site servicing.
This one initiative has reduced the processing time down by 20 working days, which is significant when the construction of prefabricated buildings can be closed in within 20 days. HDC is currently reviewing further time saving and cost initiatives which will help with prefabrication.
Housing Minister Phil Twyford has indicated he wants answers and a helping hand with his Kiwibuild aspirations and that he may need to look internationally.
However, I invite Mr Twyford to visit our business and take a look at how we not only build quality homes but create local training and job opportunities.
Prefab construction reduces waste, which meets a sustainability goal and makes building cheaper.