You have a plot of land and you want to use it to build a house: but which is better, a prefabricated house or a traditional construction? This is a question that more and more people are asking themselves in Spain, and not only when it comes to second homes, but for main residences. The decision of prefab homes vs traditional homes is not always easy, and the truth is that prefab homes or modular homes are gaining more and more ground in Spain. In order to help you make a decision, we're going to have a look at some of the main pros and cons of prefab homes with the help of the experts at Habitissimo.
Advantages of prefab homes
The big advantage of a prefabricated house is the price. The cost of a prefab house in Spain can be up to 30 % lower than a traditionally built house, because you save on labour and working time. But this is not the only advantage of prefab homes in Spain to look at:
- The construction time for a prefabricated house is much shorter, no more than six months in the worst case scenario. It only takes a few days to assemble the property, while the most time consuming part is obtaining the necessary licences and permits from the local council. Nevertheless, a prefab home would still be ready to move into much sooner than one built with other construction methods.
- Prefabricated houses are very versatile. It is true that the basis are usually pre-designed models, however, most manufacturers allow corrections or modifications to customise them. They can even be delivered fully equipped, and ready to move into, if the client so wishes.
- Not only can they be customised, but it is also very easy to extend a prefabricated or modular home if the family grows. The biggest advantage here is that this can be achieved in a short period of time and without the need for time-consuming and inconvenient building work.
- Many of the prefabricated houses on the market are sustainable because of manufacturing processes that generate less waste. Prefab homes are also more sustainable because they are built with maximum energy efficiency in mind by using specially insulated materials, eliminating thermal bridges and using passive ventilation and heat recovery systems.
Disadvantages of prefab homes
Although the advantages of prefab homes in Spain are very significant, the truth is that this type of housing also has some disadvantages that should be considered:
- Standard models are inexpensive, but if a lot of customisation criteria are introduced, the costs can rise significantly.
- If the land needs to be prepared, the cost of a prefabricated home will also become more expensive. It should be kept in mind that prefabricated houses are not designed with the characteristics of the plot on which they are going to be placed in mind; if the plot is irregular or sloping, it will be necessary to adapt the land to suit the property.
- Maintenance is usually more complex than in the case of traditional constructions, especially if a prefab home is made of wood. Not only is it more delicate, but it is also important that it is carried out by specialised professionals, which in the long run entails an extra cost.
- Although prefabricated houses meet all the habitability requirements established by the Technical Building Code (CTE), some people still consider them to be lower quality constructions.
In short, a prefab home can be enjoyed as much as any other, but before deciding to live in a prefab home in Spain, it is important to carefully consider all the possibilities. Our guide to everything you need to know about prefab houses in Spain will also be of help.