Prefabrication and Modular Construction 2020

Prefabrication and modular construction are poised to transform several sectors of the construction industry. This SmartMarket Report examines the frequency of use of these methods, the benefits of using them and the drivers and obstacles for wider use of them in the future. Key findings include:

• Prefabricated multi-trade assemblies, which involve the work of several trades combined together (such as a corridor rack in a hospital) will be used by 58% of those doing prefabrication in general—up from the 33% using this approach now.
• Growth is also seen among those doing modular construction in the use of full volumetric approach, in which entire parts of buildings (such as bathrooms or hotel and hospital rooms) are delivered preconstructed onsite and assembled together. 61% expect to employ that method at least 10% of their projects in the next three years, up from just 44% of those doing modular construction who report using this method currently.
• About 90% report that they achieve improved productivity, improved quality and increased schedule certainty when using these methods compared to traditional stick-built construction.
• Improved schedule performance, decreased construction costs and improved quality are also the top drivers for increasing their use of prefabrication and modular construction in the next three years.