West Midlands Goes Modular?
Factory-built modular housing is supposed to be the answer to a long list of housing questions: faster and cheaper to build, more reliable, with fewer snags, the upsides are potentially huge.
Not everyone is convinced, particularly some of those who live in modular housing who report faults and problems. But according to West Midlands Metro Mayor Andy Street, modular housing will contribute to the region’s ambitions to increase housing output.
Street has been taken on what he called a "really helpful" guided tour of Cradley-based modular housing company Totally Modular, which is hoping to contribute to the region’s ambitions to increase housing output.
The company’s volumetric building method allows 97% of its homes to be completed off-site, before being transported to their permanent locations. It can then take as little as 48 hours from arriving on-site, being put in place and connected to utilities before welcoming its new residents.
Street was accompanied on the visit by West Midlands Combined Authority Head of Land and Development David Warburton.
“The WMCA is committed to embracing the benefits of modular construction leading to an enhanced delivery in terms of speed, quality and cost with a view to making the West Midlands the epicentre of the UK’s offsite construction sector," Warburton said. "I think modular homes could really speed up the entire process, and should be seriously considered by all housing providers."
Totally Modular is looking to expand its operations throughout the West Midlands, and hopes to create up to 450 jobs in each of its regional facilities, through direct employment and with local supply chain partners.
“Because our units are built under controlled conditions, workmanship is of the highest standard, minimising the need for site inspection and virtually making redundant the dreaded ‘snagging lists’ synonymous with new housing," Totally Modular Operations Director Mick Pettitt said.
"The speed at which we can create these homes will allow for an increase in productivity when it comes to housebuilding in the West Midlands and across the UK."
