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Construction Methods The distinct advantages of using a self-contained building center when compared to stick building on site can be identified with overlap, control, security, jigs, efficiency, cost, volume and continual QC.
When a house is stick-built it is done in phases and nothing happens with a phase until the preceding phase is completed. For example, the floor is not framed until the foundation is poured and cured, the walls are not framed until the entire floor is decked, the roof framing is not started until all of the walls are framed and installation of plumbing, electrical and heat systems is not started until the house is completely framed and closed in. And so it goes through the entire building process. In some cases, plumbers will not work in the house while electricians are working in the house, who won't work in the house when the heating contractor is working in the house. No drywall can be installed until all of the exterior siding and roofing is installed.
Now look at our method where processes are overlapped, thereby reducing the construction time dramatically. At the same time excavation and foundation work is begun, construction of the house can begin. Within the factory, when the floor is being framed, walls are also being framed according to engineered drawings at the same time. All framing is done on jigs to keep them straight and square and the components are pre-engineered to fit together. Drywall installation begins with the framing of the walls; which can be done because your house is built in a controlled environment, it will not rain or snow on the drywall or framing. While the walls are being set on the floor, the ceiling/roof framing is being done at the same time. Installation of the plumbing, heating and electrical systems begins with the floor framing. As the construction and finish of the house continues, all types of process are overlapped and occur simultaneously. In most cases, a custom home is built in three weeks. All of this results in savings, both in the time that it takes and the cost of construction loan interest. Another benefit is that the time that it will take is predictable with a great degree of accuracy; there are no weather-related work stoppages and the building system is tried, proven and perfected to be reliable and predictable, something that you can count on.
Typically, it takes more framing materials to build a house that is transported to the site and set on the foundation with a crane. The minimal cost of this overbuilding is more than offset by the way materials are purchased, stored and used. Because of the sheer quantities of materials used and the purchasing power of each building center, materials are purchased at costs based on volume discounts, and those discounts are included in the purchase price of your home. Use of materials is calculated to get the maximum use out of each piece, so there is less material going into land fills. All materials are protected from the weather while being stored in a secured facility, so the material that you have paid for is not being used to finish the basement in a house down the street.
Labor costs are reduced as well because one team builds your house. You do not have to pay for the costs, overhead and profits of many different sub-contractors. The price is also guaranteed, you don't pay for someone's mistakes or miscalculations. Additionally, the entire team is on the same schedule. There are no delays in the project because one sub-contractor is tied up on another job or on vacation. Each team member in the building center is highly proficient at their assigned tasks; the result of training, constant supervision and the repetitive nature of the building process.
There is one more feature that is part of the building center process that will not be found on any site built project. The typical scenario in stick building is that the houses are inspected at only specific stages. Building centers have personnel that inspect the houses continually. Armed with checklists, test equipment, blueprints, experience and a keen eye, these in-house quality control inspectors are on the job full-time to insure that your home is built according to all applicable codes, manufacturer's installation instructions, approved plans and good building practices.
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