Our industry is littered with stories of one-and-done builders who tried using offsite construction, but failed. When they do fail, they typically blame the system. To some degree that could be fair, but not for the reasons you may think.
One of the key reasons the industry continues to struggle for growth is the general lack of training and support for builders and developers. It comes down to teaching the builder or developer about new processes they will need to adopt, as well as about the changed scoping for subcontractors and the differences in project scheduling.
This lack of training can make getting into offsite construction a leap of faith. The positive results can be real, but first-timers often struggle to succeed.
Many builders and developers who are new to offsite don’t really understand the role of the manufacturer. The manufacturer is just that, a manufacturer, not a builder. The premise of the offsite industry is to take the efficiencies inherent in manufacturing (things like labor management systems, strict quality control and purchasing power) and apply them to the built environment. But — and it’s a big but — the manufacturer is not a builder. The house that leaves the factory is a product that the builder installs on the site.
Site work is the responsibility of the builder. Once the manufacturer’s product gets to the jobsite, it’s outside of the controlled environment of the factory. Weather can become a factor. Fewer subcontractors and materials are needed, but the ones that are needed still have to be managed and scheduled. Utilities also have to be connected to the home.
But what happens when a new builder or developer has a question?
As a small but growing industry, there aren’t enough existing contractors to train the next generation of offsite builders fast enough. In addition, there isn’t a mentoring system in place that would have existing builders supporting those who are new to this construction method.
How does the offsite construction industry break through this barrier to entry? Is it the role of manufacturers to develop or support training programs for the industry? Should the industry associations take a leadership role in creating training courses for new and curious builders? What about individuals or companies that can support industry growth with training or franchising opportunities?
Offsite construction has the real potential for exponential growth, with the country crying out for a more efficient and cost-effective way to deliver homes. As an industry, however, we need a way to provide and share the knowledge it takes to succeed. Success breeds success. And that’s when our industry grows!
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