How Prefab Buildings Might Inspire The Next Generation Of Homeowners

27 December

Have you seen this article? Recently published in the Sacramento Bee, the piece highlights some of the incredible advantages that prefab buildings have over their conventionally constructed counterparts and highlights their recent adoption by senior homebuyers.

“Why doesn’t everybody build this way?” an author mentioned in the article, Sheri Koones, asks. It’s a good question, as the advantages afforded by prefabricated steel buildings don’t just apply to “aging baby-boomers,” they have the potential to become the building style of the future for every home-seeker.

Meanwhile, reports from the Washington Post and other papers show that home ownership is down among the younger generation. Could the accessibility of prefab metal buildings offer some solution to younger potential buyers and other first timers who feel that owning a traditional home might not be in their best interests?

We’re going to analyze some of the perks that come with prefabricated steel and go into some depth about how advantageous they can be from the perspective of the discerning, budget-conscious new homebuyer.

How Might Prefab Buildings Attract The Next Generation?

Their features might be just what the next generation needs in a new home. Here’s what you need to know about prefab buildings:

They’re Cost Efficient & Quick To Assemble

One of the first things the article mentions is “speedy on-site construction.” That makes sense. The pieces that come together to form the finished product are manufactured in a factory before being shipped out and assembled. How does this benefit the home buyer, though, aside from just getting the project completed more quickly?

By limiting costs associated with lengthy construction timetables. “Time is money,” the saying goes, and it’s one of the main reasons that many potential buyers put off home ownership. By increasing the speed with which a home can be completed, the amount of money that goes into the project is subsequently decreased, and the savings are passed on the buyer.

Contrast a traditional building project, where deadlines are often missed, and timetables can seem to drag on months past initial estimates. Given a choice between uncertainty and efficiency, which do you think a first-time homebuyer is more likely to choose?

There’s Less Waste & Reduced Environmental Impact

There’s also less waste to contend with at the end of construction. This further augments cost savings (no need to spend a lot on material disposal when there’s nothing to dispose of), but it also leads directly to another one of the prefab’s positive features: environmental friendliness.

A reduction in leftover materials translates to less strain on the environment. The use of recycled materials in steel fabrication decreases what needs to be taken from the environment. Steel is one of the most recycled materials on earth, with most estimates giving it a recycling rate well over 85 percent.

On top of that, steel buildings are widely known for superior energy efficiency. This has a direct impact on the costs of home ownership and the level of maintenance necessary to stay in a home.

The benefits of cool metal roofs and other energy saving features are well documented. The light colors and metal construction reduce the need for electricity powered interior cooling.

As a result, interior air quality improves as the AC isn’t run as hard. In cooler climates, insulated wall panelings help trap heat and keep the temperature controlled. It’s a one-two punch that keeps the steel building hospitable no matter the exterior conditions.

For those looking to go green and keep their environmental “footprint” low, a prefab building might be the perfect way to go. The younger generation, it turns out, account for the most “sustainability conscious” generation to date. See where we’re going with this? Prefabrication’s ability to address their concerns about the environment cannot be overstated.

You Can Keep Them Small & Customize Them

The size of the average family is decreasing, and with it, the size of the ideal home. Once upon a time, the unwritten rule of home buying was, “the bigger, the better.” Now, smaller houses rule the day, and the prefab is here to fill increasing demand.

Due to their preconstructed nature, one can easily start small with a metal building and scale up to the size they wish. Many manufacturers offer multiple basic building types contributing to a uniform appearance across different modules.

This isn’t to say that all the buildings look the same, however. Manufacturers can easily customize the basic shapes to fit the specific needs of certain customers. A small detail in and of itself, but one that directly addresses another concern of potential younger owners: individuality.

Whereas previous generations of homebuyers saw home ownership a strictly a long-term investment or status symbol, younger generations are more concerned with independence and flexibility. They want their living spaces to reflect upon their core values. The ability to precisely determine the size and shape of their domicile, in conjunction with the other positives prefabs provide, speaks directly to that need.

They’re Durable Buildings

It’s hard to write about steel buildings without bringing up their strength and longevity. No surprise there, as steel is a solid construction material, able to withstand many physical and environmental dangers with ease.

What might surprise you, though, is that durability and longevity are high up on the checklist for younger homebuyers. Perhaps not in those exact words, but when you consider their habits and personalities, it makes sense.

This generation is frugal, smart, and on the hunt for the highest quality in the most cost-effective package. When it comes to a home, this translates to a building that’s tough and doesn’t require an insane amount of upkeep on the part of the owner. Do we know anything that fits the bill?

Steel prefabs, of course. Most have been designed for optimum sturdiness. It’s no wonder high-grade American steel is proving an attractive option to forward-thinking first-time homebuyers that are obsessed with value.

In Summation

While it might not be likely that the next generation of homebuyers will run out en masse and purchase steel buildings, it is possible that prefabs offer a possible solution for enticing this segment of society that wants to own, but for practical reasons aren’t yet ready to pull the trigger on buying one. Even for individuals who are already established, the innovative nature of using modular steel for residential constructions provides many attractive perks that are difficult to dismiss.