Despite a nationwide slump in the residential property markets, sales of modern prefabricated homes are on the rise. The movement toward green building and sustainable living is driving the popularity of efficient prefab dwellings constructed by companies such as EcoSteel Building Systems. The company is in the process of completing five prefab steel homes in as many states, with three additional projects about to get underway. EcoSteel President Joss Hudson believes the prefab business can create new jobs and nurture the competitiveness of the U.S. economy. “The prefab product shift out of traditional construction methods could be the next industrial base that brings the U.S. back into a force of manufacturing and export,” according to Hudson. “If we could begin supplying buildings to the rest of the world, U.S. Automakers could quickly add a prefab housing division to their factories. The Prefab Building Movement is a threat to most builders; in my opinion, 2009 marks the death of carbon-copy suburban architecture know as The McMansion.”
From “EcoSteel: Prefab Housing Defies Real Estate Downturn”
Real Estate Weekly (02/28/09)
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Great stuff here!
Modular / prefab homes will offer solutions to the world’s housing shortage for the deprived, under-privileged and low income populations in society by providing a total system for basic, low-cost, quality built housing. The modular housing constructed with sandwich panels is the lowest in cost, most rapidly erected, simplest in design, and most structurally sound basic housing in existence today. Plus, you can ship 21 houses in a 40 foot container.
With nearly 10% unemployment, people are spending more wisely than they have in a long time. This could prompt people to investigate modular homes, people that never would have considered it in the past. A general lack of knowledge about the quality and available options in the modular industry is its greatest obstacle.
I had a modular home built in 2006, just as business was slowing down in construction. A lot of people questioned whether this was a wise choice due to the stigma of these homes. Now that the home is complete and my wife and I have lived here for a few years, these same people do not see it as a questionable choice. As more people are willing to take the time and learn about the benefits of modular construction, it will continue to grow in popularity.