Thinking Inside the Box—Modular Construction Considerations

Quality

Modular construction is known for consistency, quality, and precision. Fabrication in indoor facilities out of the weather in climate-controlled and well-lighted facilities is positive. The use of engineered jigs and layouts reduces the technical requirements for workers and can simultaneously improve quality and worker safety.

Additionally, modular manufacturing may have robust in-house quality controls and allow for on-site jurisdictional code inspections and in-house engineers to test and approve the product. Both structural and mechanical inspections are built into the process in a way that may not be feasible on a jobsite.

Safety

Modular construction is considered safer than site-built construction because it requires fewer workers to place and there is ultimately less activity on site. However, it requires increased use of cranes, and any unfamiliar methods may increase risk. Overall, it appears positive from a safety standpoint.

Sustainability

Modular construction is considered "greener" than traditional site-built construction. The controlled factory environment allows for more accurate, repetitive production of the units, resulting in less over-ordering and cut-off waste. Modular also allows for tighter seals, joints, and air filtration, resulting in higher energy efficiency.

Efficient from a Labor Standpoint

Because of the "manufacturing" approach involved in modular production and the lower number of moving parts in the field, skilled labor needs are reduced. This is especially important considering the skilled labor shortages that continue to plague some markets. This is particularly concerning as the construction of new infrastructure and healthcare facilities increases while we face a shortage of qualified workers combined with an aging workforce. Projects are getting larger and more complex, while experienced workers have continued to retire or otherwise leave the industry.

Speed

There is no doubt that modular construction can result in shorter on-site project schedules. This speed of construction is especially important for healthcare projects that are seeing pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic, driving demand in this space.

Potentially Less Expensive

The potential for lower cost is due to efficiencies in the process—but this has not been conclusively demonstrated. Where there are cost savings, they may have more to do with a shorter time to revenue, lower general conditions costs, and possibly lower financing costs, although financing for the projects remains a challenge overall due to the more aggressive curve of procurement and progress in the life cycle of these projects.

Partnership

The construction of modular buildings requires the right partners for the project. Extend your prequalification practices to all involved parties as part of your project pursuit decision. If not, you may find yourself involved in a major education effort for project designers, engineers, consultants, lenders, municipalities (e.g., fire, building department, planning/zoning), and owners who are intent on delivering projects in this modality without an understanding of what it entails.

Design Risks

In modular, "plan the build and build the plan" is not just something to aspire to; it is absolutely crucial. Once manufacturing is underway, any revisions to the design will have a significant impact on the schedule and potential cost. All parties need to understand this, and details must be settled in advance.

Manufacturer Selection

It is important that the capability, capacity, experience, and maturity of the manufacturer are considered closely. Some manufacturers may have the capability but not the capacity for a given project. Some just won't have as much experience as you want. As new manufacturers enter this field, you will need a consistent approach to decide if you can get comfortable partnering with them. The manufacturer's location is also an important consideration. If a detail is unclear, a connection is not aligned, or there is a quality problem, you may need manufacturer personnel to come to the site, or you may need to go to the plant. This could present a challenge if the plant is across the country or the globe.

Transportation

Understanding the logistics of getting the modules to your site, including who owns the materials at any given time, and the adequacy of the transporters' insurance are important factors. Considerations should be made regarding the size, shape, and weight of the materials, as this may impact the routing that trucks take and the time for delivery.

Quality Management

While quality may be expected to be higher, as detailed above, you cannot just trust that the quality of the modules will be managed; verify it. This may involve embedded quality personnel, frequent plant visits, etc. Repetition of defects during production is a common quality concern. Your strong quality assurance/quality control management practices must be implemented in modular construction just as robustly as they would be in site-built work.

Subcontractor Selection

For this work, you need crews experienced with off-site construction, and that is a rare thing. How will you assess and get comfortable with subcontractors' abilities to place this work in the absence of experienced crews? Will manufacturers' representatives be available to oversee the work in that case? And, beyond the crew's ability to place the work, you must consider their ability to participate robustly in the building information modeling process. This is a critical success factor in modular work.

Insurance and Legal Risks

There are many factors to understand around insurance and legal risks in modular construction. Consult the appropriate experts to ensure that materials are adequately insured at each step with a strong focus on transportation and logistics, you have a clear understanding and definition of work versus product in contracts, and a thorough understanding of what might constitute an "occurrence." These are all important discussions to have with your insurance and legal teams.

Financing

Owners may find it harder to get financing that fits the tempo of this type of construction, as the procurement and progress curves are completely different when compared to traditional construction. This gives some lenders pause and has proven a challenge for some projects.