Can Houses Made of Prefabricated Panels Be Purchased?

Caution is advised when purchasing houses made of prefabricated panels, as there are multiple hidden dangers and limitations that require comprehensive evaluation before making a decision.

1. Poor Seismic Performance, Strict Inspection of Reinforcement Measures Required
The seismic resistance of prefabricated panel houses is significantly lower than that of cast-in-place structures, and the joints are prone to disintegration due to vibration. Before purchasing, request the seller to provide a seismic inspection report and focus on checking whether steel plates are installed for reinforcement at the floor slab connections. If the house is located in a high-seismic-risk area or has a low design standard, carefully evaluate the risks.

2. Inconsistent Material Quality, On-Site Inspection Required
Some prefabricated panel manufacturers may use sea sand (containing chloride ions that corrode steel bars) or recycled steel bars, leading to a shortened structural lifespan. Use a magnet to check whether the diameter of the steel bars meets the standards and request to see the cement grade certificate (which should be at least C25). If rusty steel bars or loose cement are found, immediately rule out the purchase.

3. Construction Defects Can Turn the House into a Dangerous Structure
Check the original construction records to confirm whether the panel joints are filled with high-strength grout and whether seismic columns are installed at the beam-column corners. If the construction records are missing or there are panel joint cracks or beam-column deformations on-site, the house may already be a dangerous structure and requires professional agency evaluation before considering purchase.

4. Leakage Problems Are Common, Closed Water Test Required
The kitchens and bathrooms of prefabricated panel houses are prone to leakage due to improper joint treatment. Before purchasing, request the seller to conduct a 72-hour closed water test and check whether there is water trapped inside the wall panels (which can be judged by knocking and listening for hollow sounds). If there are signs of leakage, redo the waterproofing and set aside a maintenance budget.

5. Strict Renovation Restrictions, Professional Evaluation Required
The load-bearing walls of prefabricated panel houses cannot be modified, and the renovation of non-load-bearing walls also requires professional agencies to calculate the loads. If you plan to renovate or adjust the layout, confirm the house's structural diagram in advance to avoid safety hazards or legal disputes caused by illegal renovations.

6. High Property Rights Term and Maintenance Costs
For prefabricated panel houses with a designed lifespan of 30 years, an annual inspection is required after 18 years; when the remaining lifespan is less than 60%, the seller should sign a reinforcement agreement. In addition, set aside 0.5% of the house price annually as a maintenance fund, and inspect cracks every six months (cracks exceeding 3 mm require repair), resulting in high long-term maintenance costs.

7. Demolition Risks Should Be Contractually Constrained
If the house is located in a renovation area from 2025 to 2035, clearly specify the distribution method of demolition compensation in the contract and purchase structural insurance to reduce risks. Avoid property rights disputes or economic losses caused by policy changes.