Introduction

It has been estimated that there will be a need for homes for a further 3.8 million households by 2021. This rise is due mainly to predicted demographic changes. The short timescale and current skill shortages will make it difficult to meet demand just using conventional methods.

The potential UK market for modular housing in the social sector is predicted at approximately one million dwellings over the next 25 years: this excludes detached houses and conversions because the estimated need for social housing in these two sectors is estimated to be low as is its compatibility in using modular construction techniques.

However, when considering the location of these dwellings the potential market may considerably decrease as many of them could be some distance from the factory. The transportation factor is important both in terms of the environmental impact and the price per unit.

Those factories that are well established in the UK are predominately in the north of England whereas much of the market demand is predicted to be in the south.

Pre-fabrication has been widely promoted as a means of improving construction processes, most importantly in the Construction Task Force report Rethinking Construction. However, the uptake of modular construction techniques in the UK housing market has been limited compared to other sectors.

The arguments for its wide use are persuasive: speed of construction, quality control and economy, provided there is enough volume.