Modular housing has become a more viable alternative in the past decade with the introduction of new lightweight and thermally efficient materials, according to Matthew Keogh, director of Nexus Home Improvements in West Australia.
While most of Nexus’ work is in the remodeling and renovation market, 75 percent of that work has a modular component. “We can install a second-storey addition onto a home in a matter of weeks, reducing on-site build time by months and saving the client the added inconvenience of having trades in their home for months on end,” Mr Keough said.
However, he adds, the public perception of modular homes is it’s a cheap and low quality product, much the same, MHProNews understands, as many people in the U. S. think of manufactured homes.
Nathan Hollis, at MRN Group, parent to TR Homes, a modular construction specialist, said the younger generation was more accepting of modular construction, willing to challenge the brick-and-tile standard. He stated the technological shifts to building materials that provide design flexibility has helped the industry considerably, despite the aforementioned “perception problem.””
Cube Modular Homes repurposes shipping containers into modular homes, offices and other commercial buildings. Danny Cornwell, managing director, said public exposure to TV shows about newer construction methods is informing people about modular building.
“Modular homes can be placed on any terrain and ground conditions and any gradients with the correct design and engineering and without needing big amounts of ground work, therefore reducing building costs,” Mr. Cornwell said. ##
(Photo credit: news.com.au–cliff side modular home in Australia)
