The prefabricated modular construction  progressively takes a larger place in the sector of the buildings of middle and big measurements.

It is already very well established in the sector of single family dwellings, but more and more, it invests in the sector of the bigger size buildings. It is due to the fact that the present conjuncture is more advantageous and that the new techniques are more and more effective and easy to execute.

Context:

The costs of the construction all on site reach the "ceilings" that makes the prefabricated modular construction more and more competitive.

Indeed, to equal price, the prefabricated modular construction offers several advantages, to know:

- A better soundproofing of the spaces (double walls, independent floor from the ceiling)

- An increased structural stability (every module is structurally autonomous).

Besides, the interest of this construction system doesn't stop there:

- The global construction time is shortened.

- While the construction of the modules is being done in factory, the excavation and the foundations are being constructed at the same time on the site. Thus, two important parts of the building are made simultaneously, what is impossible for the conventional construction.

- The assembly of the modules on the site is done quickly. For example, in one week one 72 modules of a condominium of 24 units can be assembled, what represents 60% to 70% of the total building. The same work done in a conventional way would require 6 to 8 times more of time.

- Because of a better rationalization, the management of the construction site becomes simplified for the contractor, knowing that very often the over costs of construction is inherent
to a bad management of the project.

- The supervision on the construction site is also simplified and is shortened for the architect and the engineers.

- The period of financing in the construction site is shortened.

- The amortization of the investment and the profitability is done quickly.

Typical examples:

1) Small project: Private home

- Conventional construction: +/- 8 weeks

- Combined construction (modular + conventional): +/- 4 weeks

Profit: +/- 4 weeks

2) Condominium 24 apartments: (basement with concrete foundations all constructed on place, 3 stories)

- Conventional construction: 20 weeks minimum

- Combined construction (modular + conventional): +/- 10 weeks

Profit: +/- 10 seeks

Details:

Conventional construction time

1) Excavations, foundations, infrastructure: 2 weeks

2) Construction on site of the 3 floors: 9 weeks

3) Roofing: 1 week

4) Interior and exterior finish: 4 weeks

5) Outside amenities: 1 week

6) Various and unforeseen: + / - 3 weeks

Total: 20 to 24 weeks

 

Combined construction time (modular + on site)

1) Excavations, foundations, on site prefabricated roof, main infrastructure: 2 weeks

2) Modules and roof assembly: 1 week

3) Connections, plumbing, ventilation and electricity, interior and exterior finish: 4 weeks

5) Outside amenities: 1 week

6) Various and unforeseen: 2 weeks

Total: 8 to 10 weeks

Option anticipate selling:

Calculation benefit over financing / investment return: Financing period shortened.

    - Financing on a median value of $1,500,000.00
    at rate of 6% for 10 weeks (shortened construction time)

    Total: $17,307.00

 

Anticipated selling: Anticipated return of the investment and reinvestment.

    - Net profit on the sale: $500,000.00

    - 10 weeks of anticipated reinvestment preceded at rate of 6%:
    $500,000.00 x 6% x 10 weeks = $5,769.00

 

Total financial advantage:

    1) Financing savings: $17,307.00

    2) Profit in an anticipated investment: $5,769.00

    Total: $23,076.00
 

Option anticipated renting:

Renting of 100% of the apartments:

    - 10 weeks x 24 units x $850.00 / month / unit x 100% of renting = $180,000.00


Renting of 80% of the apartments:

- 10 weeks x 24 units x $850.00 / month / unit x 80% of renting = $140,000.00
 

Other example:

Seniors housing (rental room):

    - Building of value and dimension comparable to $2,500,000.00 (3 to 4 floors)

    - 100 rooms

    - 10 weeks x 100 rooms x $250.00 / room / week = $250,000.00

    * These are only the examples and not necessarily attributes to your project *
 

Type of buildings of a medium and bigger scale where the prefabricated modular construction can be especially advantageous:

In fact, all kind of building that includes repetitive units, identical or different, such a combination of different apartments or a combination of apartments and rooms.

    - Hotels

    - Motels

    - Seniors housing (rooms or apartments)

    - Condominiums

    - Apartment buildings

 

Evidently, to a project benefits from advantages of the prefabricated modular construction, it must be conceived according to the basic features of this system:

    1) A simple and repetitive structural plot.

    2) A simple and repetitive planning plot.

    3) A rationalization of the plans components for a bigger efficiency in the production of the

    modules.

    4) An optimal coordination between the construction on site and the modules construction.

    5) An organization without problems in the assembly of the modules on site.

 

However, these requirements of efficiency are imposed as much for the conventional construction, because for this kind of construction the constraints of management on site are a lot more elevated, notably for:

    - The coordination and the control of the professionals contracted and the construction time.

    - The climatic constraints and the unforeseen.

    - The delivery time of the materials as well as the control of the costs.

    - Etc...
 

Here are two examples of combined construction (prefabricated modular + on site):

1) Condos du Manoir Fortin (Mont-Tremblant / St-Jovite)

Click here to see a video presentation about the project

Click here to see a video presentation about prefabricated modular construction  

Modules manufacturer: (Main contractor)

Les Industries Bonneville

Prefabricated modular constructions.

Person in charge: Mr. Gaétan Filteau

Site internet: www.maisonsbonneville.com

E-mail: info@bonneville.qc.ca

Addresses:

Beloeil
601, Rue de l'Industrie
Beloeil (Québec)
J3G 4S5 - Canada
Phone: (450) 464-1001
(514) 990-1624

Québec
2470, Hamel West Blvd.
Québec (Québec)
G1P 2J1 - Canada
Phone: (418) 687-4621
 

Hull
2 Pont Alonzo Wright Road
Chelsey (Québec)
J0X 1N0 - Canada
Phone: (819) 771-6960

Arnprior
82 Calebogie.
Arnprior, (Ontario)
K1S 3G8 - Canada
Phone: (613) 622-0399

Contractor:

Vision Nordique

Person in charge: Mr. Gilles Fortin

719 rue Messier
Mont-Tremblant, (Québec)

J8E 3B9
Canada
 

Phone: (819) 425-4744
Fax: (819) 425-5307

Developer:

Gestion Marcel Fortin & Fils

Investor in the seniors housing field.

Person in charge: Mr. Marc-André Fortin

Site internet: www.manoirfortin.com

E-mail: marc-andre@manoirfortin.com

Address:

719 rue Messier
Mont-Tremblant, (Québec)

J8E 3B9
Canada
 

Phone: (819) 681-0618
Fax: (819) 425-5307

Architect:

Michel Tellier architect

Person in charge: Mr. Michel Tellier

Site internet: www.tellier-architecte.com

E-mail: michel@tellier-architecte.com

Main office: 629, rue de la Visitation, Saint-Charles-Borromée, (Qc) Canada  J6E 4P8

Phone number: 450 759 3093

Web Sites: www.tellier-architecte.com

E-mails: michel@tellier-architecte.com