Guest Post by DeVon J. Prioleau, LEED AP, Managing Principal, PRI-O-LEAU Development Group, LLC

Many people in the construction industry  speak glowingly about prefabrication, and for good reason.

The method of assembling components of a structure off-site, either in a factory or other manufacturing facility, and then transporting the completed components to the construction site for final assembly has grown in popularity, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

But why hasn't prefabrication, also known as modular construction, become more mainstream?

For insights on this topic, I’m happy to share an article that went live for The BlueBeam Blog - Built. I have a few indirect quotes in the article referencing a boutique modular hotel I developed in Lower Manhattan several years ago. Talking points include:

 ●      Modular from the start.

●      Not all modular is created equal.

●      Gap between modular and project design.

 Lessons Learned from my experience as Project Manager/Owner's Rep for the first modularly built, 20-story, 300-guest room, high-rise hotel within NYC's non-union marketplace include:

●      The decision to go modular should be made early in the planning and design phase, or you lose the possibility of the advantages.

●      Modular construction requires increased logistics planning and design coordination (i.e., BIM modeling).

●      Added costs for modular construction include permitting & expediting, crane time, material in the chassis and protections during transportation & erection.

●      On modular construction projects, schedules can be slashed by (35%) and costs cut by (15%) compared to on-site construction.

●      Fewer safety incidents recorded, and contractor-generated change orders issued.

●      Greater return on investment if duplicating "standardizing product, economies of scale".

Special shout-out to Christine McHugh, White Strand Development LLC for the introduction to Bluebeam Blog and Larry Bernstein (larrydbernstein.com), Freelance Writer, for the interview.

DeVon J. Prioleau, LEED AP, is Managing Principal of PRI-O-LEAU Development Group, LLC