The Judgment of the Quality of Prefabricated Houses

Prefabricated houses have both advantages and disadvantages, and a choice should be made based on needs.

Advantages

• Fast construction speed: Components are manufactured in the factory in advance and assembled on-site, significantly shortening the construction period compared to traditional buildings. For example, a 100-square-meter prefabricated house can be completed in 1 - 2 months, while a traditional brick-and-concrete house takes more than 6 months. Some modules can be shipped from the factory in 7 days and the framework can be erected in a few days.
• Cost control: Factory production optimizes material and labor costs, reduces material waste, and lowers the complexity of on-site construction. The construction cost of an ordinary prefabricated house is 1,000 - 3,000 yuan per square meter, much lower than that of a traditional high-end house (over 5,000 yuan per square meter). The main structure is about 30% cheaper than that of a brick house, saving an ordinary family 20,000 to 50,000 yuan. The later maintenance cost is also 40% lower than that of a traditional house.
• Environmental protection and energy conservation: The production and construction process focuses on resource conservation and environmental protection. Factory production reduces on-site dust, noise, and waste pollution. 80% of construction waste can be recycled, and carbon emissions are directly halved. Some projects have obtained international certifications. Some high-end prefabricated houses integrate solar panels, insulation materials, and intelligent energy-saving systems, and some meet national green building standards.
• Flexibility and mobility: The modular design allows for customization of the house layout according to needs, and it can be disassembled and reassembled at other locations in the future. Container houses and light steel structure houses are especially suitable for scenarios that require frequent relocation, such as tourist homestays and construction site dormitories.
• Quality control: The factory prefabrication error does not exceed 2 millimeters. New prefabricated houses using the reinforced concrete integral pouring process can withstand an 8-magnitude earthquake in seismic tests. The overall settlement is less than that of an ordinary house, and the concrete strength is improved compared to traditional construction.

Disadvantages

• Quality risks: When the construction is not standardized, there is a 7% probability of foundation settlement or wall cracks within 5 years. Construction in low-temperature environments is more prone to problems. In some cases, the maintenance cost after 5 years accounts for a quarter of the original construction cost.
• Sound insulation and waterproofing problems: The sound insulation effect of prefabricated panels is poor, and the water leakage rate at joints is nearly twice that of traditional buildings, requiring regular waterproofing treatment. The sound insulation effect is 20 decibels worse, and noises from upstairs can be clearly heard.
• Cost changes: After the price of cement rises, prefabricated houses are only 5% cheaper than traditional buildings. When transported to remote areas, the freight can account for 5% of the total cost.
• Design limitations: Currently, they can only be built up to two stories. The exterior surface is prone to color differences, and there may be 15% to 20% color differences after 5 years, requiring frequent maintenance.
• Service life and maintenance: The designed service life is generally 30 to 40 years, and the annual maintenance cost increases by 1,500 - 3,000 yuan after 20 years.