2 Evaluate the opportunities and consider risk

If you have decided that modular techniques may be a good fit, it’s time to weigh up whether they will save enough time and money to justify the decision, and whether the risks are acceptable.

• — From the ground up, construction can be much faster in a modular project, but the design and manufacture phases of the programme can be lengthy, meaning the time and cost saving may not be so significant as expected.
• — When it comes to costing a modular option, many factors may not be obvious. For an accurate view in contrast to a traditional option, a comparison should include prototyping, testing, transportation, unloading, positioning, fixing, protection, design, warranties and any early financing costs associated with modular.
• — Supply chain considerations are paramount. There are comparatively few suppliers and manufacturers, which means there is limited competition and market capacity. This can drive prices up and increase lead times. Ask yourself – is there availability in the market to meet your programme’s requirements? And can the available suppliers deliver the quality your project needs?
• — The management abilities and financial strength of suppliers are also relevant. Some recently formed manufacturers who have sprung up to meet demand may lack the reliability of established, traditional suppliers and contractors, bringing an extra element of risk.
  — How innovative is the modular solution you are considering? If the approach is not tried and tested, consider whether you are prepared to be a guinea pig with the associated risks that may bring.
• — Once manufacture has started it may be difficult and expensive to make changes – this should be factored in to your decision making and project planning.
• — It can be more difficult to convert modular builds for a different use a few years down the line. If there is a need to build in future flexibility, this should be carefully considered at the design stage.
• — Don’t forget to factor in the cost and approach for future maintenance of a modular building, or after sales considerations. These can be very different in comparison to traditional builds.

3 Integrating and implementing modular into your project

If everything is lining up to make modular the right choice for you, well-planned integration and implementation is the final piece of the puzzle.

• — Early commitment to a modular approach is important. Designs need to be progressed and finalised, and modular suppliers may need to be procured early – often during the pre-construction phase. This enables the chosen modular manufacturer to integrate their aspects of the design successfully. For this reason, earlier cashflow and contractual commitment is often required when compared to traditional builds.
• — As with any project, excellent design coordination and efficient communication between stakeholders throughout a project is key to successful delivery. In modular builds, it’s particularly important because of the high levels of precision required for successful assembly.
• — For smooth integration of modular techniques, the entire delivery programme should be developed specifically with modular in mind – a more traditional design and build programme probably will not work. For example, suppliers may need to be appointed before a construction contract is in place, because they often have some design responsibility.
• — Successful modular projects can depend on appropriate prototyping and testing regimes for the various components – both off-site and on-site. Components need to be reliable and durable – will they work on day one? Will they stand the test of time and allow the building to reach its planned lifespan?
• — Arrangements onsite need to be precise and easy to follow. Who is responsible for offloading modules? How are they installed? When are they due? How are they protected? All these questions need answers before work begins.

“Early commitment to modular is key…

Decision making in action

Recently, we compared a set of proposals for a residential project, three of which were from modular firms and three of which were from traditional firms. A detailed analysis revealed that the traditional options were, on average, marginally cheaper than the modular options. Furthermore, the modular programmes, while seemingly shorter, referred only to build time and did not account for upfront design. When this was factored in, the overall project delivery time was longer with the modular approach. This result would not be the same for all projects, but it demonstrates the importance of looking at a project in detail and on its own merits, considering all relevant factors, to ensure the best approach is chosen for the particular circumstances. On this occasion, that was a traditional approach.

Confident choices

Modular construction techniques can offer an exciting and proven way of speeding up projects without compromising on quality. We should be cautious before assuming that the benefits apply in all circumstances, but choosing between modular and traditional approaches doesn’t have to be difficult.

Thorough, thoughtful cost and procurement management is key to singling out the best approach for a project and at Equals we can lead and advise in identifying the route that will lead to the best results in the circumstances – whether that means traditional build, MMC or something in between.