Offsite vs. Onsite Construction Part 2
Offsite Vs. Onsite Construction: Benefits & Versatility of Offsite Construction In Part II of a two-part series, industry pros focus on the multiple benefits offered by offsite construction with increased challenges from inflation, labor shortages, materials availability, and a push to increase sustainability on construction projects. The benefits of offsite construction, which comprises the manufactur - ing, planning, design, fabrication, and assembly of building elements offsite are expansive. Manufacturing building components in a con- trolled environment results in enhanced quality control, cost savings, a schedule that is less adversely affected by weather conditions, mini- mized onsite waste, and the ability to schedule and sequence fabrica- tion and delivery. Additionally, the environmental impact is lessened due to minimal shipping and packing materials delivered to the site and enhanced energy efficiency in the final construction. Offsite construction enhances the quality of onsite construction for building types including residential, multi-family, hospitality, educa- tional, health care, and commercial while offering distinct advantages highlighted in this article. The panel of experts below, representing the construction, engineering, and building systems industries, explore and explain the many benefits of this alternative construction method. Meet the Panelists: Brian Sielaff, M.S.C.E., P.E., P.Eng, CEO, Tamarack Grove Engineering Mikel Ochs, President-Operations,Whisper Creek Homes Michael H. Weber, IOM, CGP, CSI, National Business Development Manager, The Euclid Chemical Co. Devin Perry, Executive Director, Business Improvement Programs, National Association of Home Builders Jack Armstrong, BSChE, Executive Director/COO - SIPA (Structural Insulated Panel Association) Ken Semler, President & CEO - Impresa Modular What are the benefits of offsite construction relating to materials an labor availability and budget? Ochs: To put it simply, using offsite construction saves time and money. The Structural Building Components Association (SBCA) conducted studies in 1995 and 2015 and compiled the results into a comprehen - sive report "Framing the American Dream." For offsite construction, manufacturers can buy in larger quantities from distributors further away, easing the local supply chain shortage and enabling smaller builders to compete. The process automation of building components manufactured in an offsite environment equates to being able to hire and retain skilled workers and enhances quality control. Weber: Offsite construction is a “manufacturing process” which removes many variables from the onsite construction process. Offsite
manufacturing typically occurs under cover so weather isn’t an issue; the right tools are always at hand, and employees are responsible for the same/similar tasks from one project to the next providing greater efficiencies. Well-run businesses that pay their bills and buy in volume typically have strong relationships with suppliers to get materials at the most competitive price and on-time delivery to the plant. Offsite construction, with employees repeating the same/ similar tasks daily offers an opportunity to train unskilled employees faster as compared to onsite-built construction’s problematic and time-consuming on-the-job training. Perry: One of home builders’ chief concerns is a lack of skilled la- bor. As prefabricated structural building materials are assembled in a factory, offsite construction can greatly reduce builder reliance on subcontractors and the volatile labor market. NAHB (National Asso - ciation of Home Builders) analysis shows it typically takes two days to set a modular home on its permanent foundation. Generally, onsite build time is greatly reduced using component-based systems – from prefabricated roof trusses to structural insulated panels or insulated concrete forms. Armstrong: Overall, the answer to budget, materials, and labor is that offsite is cheaper with less waste, less rework, and less damage from weather and theft. Factories have superior buying power and leverage than individual builders and employ a stable workforce with increased ability to hire. In the link attached below, there is an informative set of studies that illustrates SIP (structural insulated panel) installation and construction benefits vs conventional framing: https://www.sips.org/ resources/sips-vs-stick-frame-cost-data Semler: Labor issues have impacted the offsite construction industry; however, working in an indoor environment with a paycheck that isn’t dependent on weather is attractive to prospective employees. The bro- ken supply chain impacts factories but because materials are invento- ried at one location, material planning is easier. By supplying so much more in one delivery, the corresponding labor and material handling The Ark Encounter located in Williamstown, Kentucky presented Tamarack Grove with a challenging project that used timber-frame, bents, steel fabrication, and heavy timber elements, all of which were fabricated and cut using offsite construction. The four-story building, a replica of Noah’s Ark, was constructed out of full trees, logs, engineered lumber, sawn material, and glue laminated beams (GLB) along with all of the steel connections that could not have been done without the power of a BIM 3D modeling software program.
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May 2023
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