The impact of the Covid pandemic on the construction industry appears to be fueling demand for modular construction methods, especially in the western U.S. and Canada.
Several new suppliers of modular units have come online since 2019, and existing companies have been scaling up factory capacity. Modular offers benefits that can counteract challenges that were worsened by the pandemic.
For instance, bringing the task of ordering finishes, fixtures, and construction materials under one roof streamlines the supply chain, which grew tighter and became less predictable after the pandemic struck. Modular vendors that supply finished bathrooms and kitchens remove the burden of procuring many individual products from contractors and subcontractors.
Likewise, by completing the work of multiple subcontractors up front, they relieve the pressure on contractors to hire and schedule some of the work of various trades on site, thereby easing demand for labor.
Modular construction can also speed up construction schedules. There are some drawbacks, though, including the high cost of shipping.
Developers today use modular construction for many kinds of buildings, including supportive housing, hotels, resorts, apartments, detached homes, senior living facilities, office buildings, and factories.
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Feb 23, 2015
The importance of quiet and the consequences of distraction
Recent work style studies show that the average knowledge worker spends 25-35% of their time doing heads-down focused work. Once thrown off track, it can take some 23 minutes for a worker to return to the original task.
BIM and Information Technology | Feb 23, 2015
9 best practices for effective laser scanning
JE Dunn’s National BIM Director, Trent Nichols, offers tips and advice for mastering the art of laser scanning.
Modular Building | Feb 23, 2015
Edge construction: The future of modular
Can innovative project delivery methods, namely modular construction, bring down costs and offer a solution for housing in urban markets? FXFOWLE’s David Wallance discusses the possibilities for modular.
Contractors | Feb 23, 2015
Rising Nonresidential Construction Index comes with struggles, FMI reports
Construction companies face the challenge of having enough people to keep up with increasing backlogs.
Green | Feb 23, 2015
State of the green union, and the next big shift in sustainability
The history of the green movement offers cues that we are on the precipice of another significant shift in the green union.
| Feb 23, 2015
Where are the iconic green buildings?
What does a green building look like? How would you know one if you saw one? Maybe a trivial question to some, but of great interest to architects, designers, and other members of the Building Team as the rapid evolution of sustainable buildings continues apace.
University Buildings | Feb 20, 2015
Penn strengthens campus security by reviving its surrounding neighborhood
In 1996, the University of Pennsylvania’s sprawling campus in Philadelphia was in the grip of an unprecedented crime wave. But instead of walling themselves off from their surrounding neighborhoods, the school decided to support the community.
Engineers | Feb 20, 2015
PwC reports record year for M&A activity in engineering and construction
Worldwide engineering and construction industries closed 218 M&A deals in 2014 worth more than $172 billion, according to a PwC report.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 19, 2015
Is multifamily construction getting too frothy for demand?
Contractors are pushing full speed ahead, but CoStar Group thinks a slowdown might be in order this year.
Building Materials | Feb 19, 2015
Prices for construction materials fall in January, following plummet of oil prices
The decline in oil and petroleum prices finally showed up in the produce price index data, according to ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.
