Modular homes can be built in a factory while the site is being prepared, which can shorten construction time and save money.
People searching for a home in New Brunswick could soon move into a place built in a warehouse and assembled on-site like giant building blocks. The province hopes modular housing will be one of the keys to ramping up new projects and addressing the housing shortage.Modular homes, like this one in London, Ont., can be built in a factory while the site is being prepared, which can shorten construction time and save money.
The concept is not new — modular has been used over the past century, primarily to build single-family homes. Brandon Searle, director of innovation and operations, said it's drawing interest for multi-unit builds because of the speed of construction. "You are crunching down your schedule and you're able to get the projects completed much quicker," Searle said.
"We'll be seeing duplexes and triplexes and full developments made with modular housing as well," she said. "It's going to be really exciting to see these buildings going up."While the provincial government has high hopes for modular housing solutions, the construction industry says New Brunswick builders are not yet putting apartment buildings up in large sections.