Off-site or on-site?
For AEC professionals, this 3-word sentence encapsulates a rich debate. It is a debate centered on modular and prefab construction completed off-site in a climate-controlled facility, versus more traditional building methods accomplished on-site, or exposed to the elements.
While global performance and growth metrics tend to rope “modular prefab” into a single idea (in fact, they are related but distinct topics) it’s clear that in the last two decades off-site construction, which encompasses both modular and prefab, has expanded considerably.
In fact, according to Allied Market Research, the global market research and business consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP, the off-site construction market is expected to be valued at $235.5 billion by 2030 up from $130.4 billion in 2020, a 5.9% CAGR from 2021 to 2030.
For definitional purposes, “off-site” is an umbrella term that encompasses both modular and prefab construction. Modular is any build whose structure includes pre-built modules of a building. Prefab is a narrower term and includes factory-made components, assembled off-site.
Recently, FARO®’s Rob Miller, director of AEC development for the Americas and 20-year veteran of construction technology, reviewed prefab’s growing potential as well as its challenges, and discusses why modular has been slower to catch on.
The article also outlines how third-party technology providers offering 3D laser scanning hardware and software technology solutions are integral components to off-site’s burgeoning success.
For construction companies looking to make the leap into off-site builds, the article concludes with essential takeaway and action steps.
Download to learn how for specialty trades off-site has become so on-demand!