The modular construction industry has risen rapidly in recent years, but what makes it different from typical construction projects? Prefabrication, which is part of modular construction, means that at least 60-90% of a project is built or manufactured off-site and then easily slotted into a building.

While modular construction may be growing slower than the construction industry as a whole, the modular construction industry was still worth about $91 billion as of 2022.

Permanent and Relocatable Modular Construction

There are two types of modular construction: permanent and relocatable.

Permanent modular construction is a sustainable way to pre-fabricate buildings. These sections can be a great addition to a project to speed up construction or the entire building can be built in this manner. As the name suggests, permanent structures are not meant to be disassembled and reused like relocatable modular buildings. The permanent modular construction industry reached $12 billion in North America in 2022, which accounted for 6% of all new construction.

Relocatable buildings are built to be refurbished and reused. These buildings are beneficial where a temporary space is needed, such as a school or construction site office. They offer flexibility as they can be installed and taken down easily.

Advantages

Modular construction has many advantages including helping to keep costs low, shortening the construction timeline, and helping to reduce waste. Modular construction is excellent when on a tight schedule because it is not subject to weather delays since segments are generally assembled in a very regulated, climate-controlled environment. This reduces the risk of moisture being trapped in materials from rain or general humidity. A modular build could take about half the time of a typical construction project.

Additionally, modular construction uses fewer materials and overall generates less waste, making the process much more sustainable than a typical construction build. Pieces can also be disassembled and refurbished for use in another project if needed.

The construction industry is constantly evolving. Modular construction is just one of many rising sectors of the industry. Jerdon Enterprise holds the knowledge and expertise needed to complete a successful and quality construction project. Contact us today. If you are interested in viewing some of Jerdon’s past civil engineering projects, click here!