Five Ways Modular Buildings Enhance Quality Control in Construction

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 57 percent of activities in construction could be made less wasteful and more valuable. On the other hand, 62 percent of all activities in manufacturing add value. When the construction industry seizes the benefits of manufacturing through modular buildings, it can work towards achieving better quality in construction.

We look at five key ways in which modular buildings help achieve greater levels of quality control in construction.

1. Materials inspection and storage.

Storing materials on-site, exposed to inclement weather, can lead to long-term problems in a building. For example, a report by the Modular Building Institute explains how many of the issues surrounding indoor air quality arise from increased levels of moisture in framing materials. This is less likely to happen with modular buildings because they are produced in a factory setting, using dry materials that are stored safely before use.

Quality control with modular buildings begins right from the moment the materials arrive at the manufacturing site. First, they are examined before being given the final approval for use. Then, they are stored safely, away from elements such as snow, rain and the sun.

2. Construction quality control checklists.

Modular construction factories have stringent quality control programs, as mandated by States, to obtain plan approval and authorization to begin the fabrication process. Each step of the process is carefully monitored. There are several items on the checklist at any stage of the process. Quality control specialists are around at every stage to make sure the end product meets established criteria. 

Modular buildings are built in strict accordance with appropriate local, state and national regulations and codes. Since these components need to be transported to their location, they are also built to withstand the pressures of travel and transportation.

3. Efficiency is prioritized.

On-site construction focuses a lot on rigidly drawn up responsibilities for each team in the process. This reduces the scope for collaborative work, causing there to be less involvement among teams and as a result, less communication between teams. This fragmentation of work can increase waste and reduce productivity in the end. This results in a decrease in efficiency, which can be frustrating for all parties involved. 

Efficiency in modular construction is evident on several levels of operation. Teams work together to focus on creating a high-quality product. There is a minimum material waste because each stage is well planned and often uses many components made from recycled materials. Since teams work collaboratively, there are fewer delays, which help maintain or increase efficiency.

4. Quality testing.

Testing a product is one of the best ways to guarantee its quality. Modular buildings go through rigorous testing to ensure they perform as expected in various conditions. Much of the quality testing is done by state-approved consultants or third parties. Investing time in testing saves time because it helps prevent issues that may appear later.

5. Effective communication.

Things can get messy at a conventional construction site, and that applies to communication too. As stated previously, different teams handling different stages of the project can fail to communicate, leading to lost time and even money. The modular construction model brings various teams to one central location – the manufacturing factory – to discuss plans of action and achieve a greater quality product.

Subcontracting is one of the most common features of conventional construction. However, modular construction is different because one team works on several projects together. This gives them the opportunity to think of improvements on each model.

The demand for modular buildings continues to grow as the construction industry expands its horizons. High quality, flexible modular buildings from Mobile Modular are the preferred choice for many of our satisfied clients across the country.

Modular buildings are a wise investment for businesses that have varied space requirements. Renting a modular building is another smart choice, especially when there are savings involved. Mobile Modular offers a 30-day billing cycle instead of a 28-day one, which means you get two extra days of savings. With our no-nonsense delivery, you can get your modular building ready for use in a matter of weeks! Find out more about what’s in store at your location.