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A System that Minimizes Home Construction Risk

 

Nothing in construction is certain, but this panelized solution comes close.
Originally published on www.builderonline.com.

Minimizing risk is a central goal of home builders. Material costs, labor availability, weather, budgeting, scheduling, subcontractor coordination, and other conditions are necessary risk exposures.

Or are they?

Today, advances in panelized construction help mitigate those risks. Using the latest building science, CAD/CAM, automation, and design for manufacturing, prefabricated assemblies bring together best-in-class structural systems, insulation, windows, doors, weatherproofing, and finishes in a controlled, quality-first environment. Design adherence, reduced waste, and improved worker safety add even more value. For example, fully constructed wall, floor, ceiling, and roof panels help:

  • Reduce scheduling risk. Material and labor are taken care of. No days lost to weather.
  • Reduce cost overrun risk. No rework issues, material price increases, or unbudgeted construction expenses.
  • Reduce coordination risk. All penetrations, insulation, and framing are where they should be, simplifying MEP completion.
  • Reduce design risk.  Panels are built to plan spec in nearly any architectural style.
  • Reduce budget risk. Every vendor quote is guaranteed and will not change.
  • Reduce cash risk.  The structure is substantially completed following a modest down payment
  • Reduce quality risk.  All panel assemblies pass no fewer than seven rounds of QA/QC inspection.

"There's really no limit to what panelization can achieve for home builders," explains Dennis Michaud, Managing Director of CertainTeed Offsite Solutions. "No matter how you define building performance - durability, energy efficiency, moisture control, code compliance, sustainability, design, wellness, or resilience - panelized off-site construction meets or exceeds the requirement."

The home building and off-site construction veteran leads One Precision Assemblies (OPA), an NAHB award-winning manufacturer of fully constructed wall, floor, ceiling, and roof panels. The company is currently working on an array of residential projects in Michigan, Ohio, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Vermont, North Carolina, and Massachusetts with dozens more in various development stages.

Timelines Cut in Half

OPA uses next-generation manufacturing systems and building science to radically transform home building speed and logistics. "Depending on the situation, we see about a 50% reduction in home building timelines, which roughly translates to five months saved on the typical project," Michaud reports.

Next-generation prefab construction defies stereotypes. "These homes are anything but cookie cutter," Michaud says. "We're talking homes ranging in size from 1,800 to 3,500 square feet and priced from $300,000 to $2 million or more." Energy efficiency is also a central feature of OPA assemblies. "We know exactly how these panels work and perform, since they're all from the same source. They're very tight and zero-energy-ready," explains Michaud.

Speed and Simplicity

Working with nearly any residential architectural design, the OPA team is equipped to deliver and install a customized panel assembly in a matter of days. Michaud welcomes all inquiries, though project engagements are limited to the region from North Carolina to Maine and west to Michigan. Firm quotes are based on your architectural set and presented within one to two weeks. "We've turned around recent quotes within three days," Michaud says. 

For home builders looking for a risk-averse way to deliver more homes faster without compromising architectural flair, energy efficiency, and quality performance, investigate OPA panel assemblies.

Learn more about a simpler, faster way to build quality homes.