Prefabricated houses: if you are thinking of building one, don’t miss this article. We take you through all their advantages and drawbacks.
Until quite recently, prefabricated houses (casas prefabricadas de obra, as they are known in Spain) had a poor reputation.
The general prejudice was that they were too impersonal and structurally weak or unreliable. Practice today shows that this is not the case. It is true, however, that they cost less than a conventional or traditional house.
Be that as it may, like any other type of home, prefabricated houses have their own inherent advantages and drawbacks. For some years now this type of residential property has been growing considerably in Spain, and that has helped it improve a great deal in a very short time.
Typical prices for prefabricated houses rarely fall below €45,000 for a detached house or go above €79,000. But the whole process can become more expensive once you add the cost of buying and preparing the land, the design you choose and the materials. That is why it is so important to weigh up the advantages and trade-offs carefully.
Advantages of prefabricated houses
First, as part of weighing things up, let’s look at the advantages of this type of home:
They are more affordable than a conventional house
These days, €70,000 for a house is a bargain – and that is the usual price range for a property of this kind.
Shorter build time
Because several parts of a prefabricated house are made industrially, construction moves much faster. Water and electricity supplies and drainage still have to be installed exactly as in any other house. But the structure and the roofing go up far more quickly.
They are easy to customise
Although the construction of prefabricated houses is standardised, the client can choose many aspects, above all the materials, shapes and finishes. The needs of each person or family can also be taken into account, as can the different planning regulations of each municipality.
Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency, today’s well-founded obsession in housing, comes built into a prefabricated house. Quality control in the industrial manufacture of these homes is what ensures they are more energy efficient. Prefabricated homes, modular ones for example, are able to keep themselves warm on their own, which is especially noticeable on the coldest days.
Drawbacks of prefabricated houses
By contrast, and as you would expect, they also have a number of disadvantages:
Culturally, they are not well regarded
In Spain, prefabricated houses are still seen as something temporary, only suitable as a second home.
Maintenance can be demanding
This is especially true of timber prefabricated houses, also known as light-frame (entramado ligero) houses, and even more so of exposed-concrete ones, whose silicone joints are particularly expensive to maintain. These issues need special attention.
The cost of the land
This is an added problem, and not a small one. You need to choose rural land (suelo rústico), because urban plots are considerably more expensive to build on.
Financing problems
It is often necessary to mortgage the land in order to start the build.
Red tape
Prefabricated houses must also comply with current regulations and, of course, with the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE, the Spanish Technical Building Code). This can mean tiresome administrative procedures.
Prefabricated houses are a very good option if you know how to get around their drawbacks and choose each of their elements wisely. If you need advice on this or any other subject, don’t hesitate to contact our architecture studio in Málaga.
If you found this article interesting, you will surely also like our article on the steps to build a house. Don’t miss it!
