Are we ready for prefab homes?

Since its inception, AHU has taken up projects in Delhi, Bangalore, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Hyderabad, while Loom Crafts has been doing this since 2019 in every Indian state, with most projects down south.
 

 “Making the structures prefab helped reduce the labour intensity on site. Coorg has a steep terrain which presents its own challenges with conventional concrete construction. It was also our vision for the structures to appear floating in the wilderness, which meant that the supports had to be as minimal and as non-invasive as possible. This also tied up with our sustainable approach of minimal intervention to the existing land,” he reveals.
 

The Costs

While costs may differ based on the size, location and company, a prefab home is cheaper than a concrete one, claim most developers. “Our cost starts from Rs 3,750 per sq ft including all finishes, ready-to-move-in except furniture,” says Jindal, while Antony’s company offers homes starting from 13 lakh onwards. “As the size increases, the ratio of cost decreases due to the economics of scale. A prefab house we provide only requires furniture. The electricals, flooring and washrooms are included,” he adds.
 

Government Permissions

Since prefab structures fall under the ‘temporary construction’ category, the rules around it are few and scattered. Most companies tell you that the permissions change in each Indian state so there is no one rule that can be applied to such homes.
 

The Time Factor

Unlike concrete homes, prefab homes take much less time to be built and installed. After initial design and planning consultations, your home can be ready to move in within as less as 20 days, depending on its size and requirements.
 

Are Prefabricated Homes Sturdy?

One of the most-asked questions about such homes is whether they are strong enough to stand the test of time. Some have the fear of it being flimsy and rightfully so. There have been incidents where badly designed and erected structures have had a lot of damage over a few months. People would be hesitant to take that leap without proper validation. But reputed companies run several tests to ensure the stability of such structures in high wind speeds, rains, and general upkeep. They even offer a warranty of 15-20 years for prefab homes. “Prefab does give you flexibility in terms of spatial planning and form. It is more sustainable for a site that needs to be preserved for its natural beauty as it reduces on-site work, and can be disassembled and repaired easily,” concludes Tony.
 

As more people in the country become aware of this concept, it will be interesting to see if this trend picks up and becomes a viable solution for those looking to build a sturdy home in a limited time and budget.