What’s the Difference Between a Prefab & a Modular Building?

Clients interested in modular structures will often ask, “What’s the difference between a prefab & a modular building?” At Modular Genius, we welcome this and any other questions you might want to ask. Our experts will always be here to give you the information you need to make the very best decision possible regarding your space needs.

So, What’s the Difference Already?

In a nutshell, every modular structure is considered a prefab (prefabricated) building. However, not every prefab structure is a modular structure.

The main difference is in how the two are manufactured. A prefab building is typically manufactured inside a climate-controlled facility, then shipped to a construction site and installed. Sometimes, portions of the building are manufactured first. In other instances, the entire building is constructed before it’s shipped.

The modular manufacturing process is similar, but it’s still different. It’s somewhat like a “building block” approach. The individual portions of a structure, the “modules,” are manufactured and then sent to the installation site. The different modules are then pieced together. 

One example of a modular structure is a double-wide manufactured home, or a “mobile home.” It will arrive on the customer’s property (or, in some instances, on the lot where homes are being sold) in two big pieces. These pieces are then installed on a foundation, usually a slab of concrete, and then put together. After that, siding is placed on each end, along with trim and whatever else needs to be added. 

At Modular Genius, we can provide you with a building that already has all of the electrical and utility connections ready to go. All that’s needed is to assemble the building, hook up the electrical and other connections, and then it’s ready for immediate use.

Advancements in Technology

Bother prefab and modular construction have been around for decades. In fact, when you were a child there’s probably a pretty good chance that you attended classes in what everybody called a “portable,” which is just another name for a modular structure.

Do you remember very much about that classroom? Probably not, since most modular buildings were, at one time, little more than non-descript, functional boxes. To say they weren’t aesthetically pleasing is putting it mildly.

But times have changed – dramatically. Thanks to sophisticated design technology, Modular Genius can provide you with a building in a multitude of different designs and floor plans. You might have a school campus that already has a lot of beautiful buildings that were constructed from the ground up. You want a modular structure, but you want it to blend in with the other buildings that have sat on campus for decades. 

Modular Genius can make that happen. Or, you might want a structure that’s beautiful, and stands out on its own. You could want a new science lab, or a new gymnasium, for example. We can make that happen as well – and we can get it to you in as little as 90 days. 

Not only can we provide you with a structure that will be ready to go in a fraction of the time it takes for traditional construction, we can do it at a fraction of the cost as well. Modular buildings cost up to 40 percent less than regular construction, and can last at least 60 years as long as they’re properly maintained.

So, now that you know the answer to the question of, “What’s the difference between a prefab & a modular building?”, maybe you’d like to explore all of your options. If that’s the case, call Modular Genius at 888-420-1113 or contact us online.