Comparison Between Prefabricated Houses and Cast-in-Place Houses

There are significant differences between prefabricated houses and cast-in-place houses in terms of construction methods, performance, risks, prices, and transaction processes, and a comprehensive choice should be made based on needs.

I. Construction Methods and Move-in Time
Prefabricated houses use factory-made components that are transported to the site for assembly, resulting in a short construction period. However, waiting for assembly and decoration is required. Cast-in-place houses involve pouring concrete directly on-site, which requires curing and other processes, taking longer. However, decoration and move-in can be done immediately after completion. The assembly efficiency of prefabricated houses is limited by component transportation and on-site conditions, while the construction period of cast-in-place houses is greatly affected by weather and construction progress.

II. Structural Performance Differences

1. Seismic Performance: Cast-in-place houses have strong structural continuity due to integral pouring, making their seismic performance significantly better than that of prefabricated houses, which are prone to collapse due to connection node failure during earthquakes.
2. Waterproof Performance: The continuous pouring of concrete in cast-in-place houses reduces the risk of leakage, while the component joints in prefabricated houses are prone to becoming weak points for waterproofing.
3. Thermal Insulation Performance: The concrete walls of cast-in-place houses have high thermal inertia, providing better heat insulation. Prefabricated houses may become stuffy in summer and lose heat in winter if additional insulation layers are not added.

III. Quality and Risk Control

1. Quality Risks: The quality of prefabricated houses depends on the factory's production accuracy and on-site assembly level. If components are defective or connections are not secure, potential safety hazards may arise. The quality of cast-in-place houses is affected by the construction team's skills, material quality, and on-site management. However, homebuyers can supervise the construction process through on-site inspections.
2. Planning Change Risks: Prefabricated houses, if pre-sold, may face the risk of developers changing the design. Cast-in-place houses are mostly sold as completed units, with a lower probability of planning changes.

IV. Price and Loan Differences
Prefabricated houses may have lower prices than cast-in-place houses due to reduced costs from industrial production, but specific prices are affected by location and quality. Cast-in-place houses generally have higher prices due to high on-site construction costs. In terms of loans, both require evaluation based on the property type (e.g., pre-sale or completed unit) and the homebuyer's qualifications. However, the loan process for cast-in-place houses may be smoother due to their higher property clarity.

V. Transaction Process Comparison
If prefabricated houses are pre-sold, the transaction requires waiting for assembly completion and property certificate issuance, resulting in a longer process. Completed unit sales involve simpler transactions and faster property transfer. Cast-in-place houses are usually sold as completed units, with a more direct transaction process and more timely protection of homebuyers' rights.