Leading UK housebuilders' utilization of offsite construction methods

In recent years the construction industry has been exhorted to increase its utilization of offsite technologies, or ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ (MMC), in order to address the under-supply and poor build quality of housing. Despite the well-rehearsed benefits of such technologies, the take-up within the industry has been slow. This paper reports on research that examined housebuilders' practices and strategies regarding the use of offsite-MMC. A questionnaire survey of the top 100 housebuilders in the UK and a series of interviews were used to reveal the extent to which such technologies are being utilized and the factors which impinge on their popularity. The findings suggest that current offsite-MMC usage in large housebuilders is low, but that the level is likely to increase, given the pressures to improve quality, time, cost, productivity, and health and safety. The wider take-up of offsite-MMC is, however, inhibited by perceived higher capital costs, interfacing problems, long lead-in time, delayed planning process, and current manufacturing capacity. Based on these findings, the paper provides a set of strategies for improving offsite-MMC practices amongst housebuilders. It is hoped that will help deliver an improvement of housing supply in the UK. Au cours de ces dernières années, l'industrie de la construction a été vivement incitée à augmenter son utilisation des technologies hors site, c'est-à-dire les méthodes modernes de construction (MMC) pour régler les problèmes de pénurie d'approvisionnement et de qualité médiocre des logements construits. Malgré les avantages bien présentés de ces technologies, l'industrie a été lente à en prendre conscience. Cette communication rend compte des recherches concernant ces pratiques et les stratégies des constructeurs interrogés sur les MMC-hors site. Un questionnaire portant sur les 100 premières entreprises de construction du Royaume-Uni et une série d'entretien ont servi à révéler la mesure dans laquelle ces technologies sont utilisées et à exposer les facteurs qui ont un impact sur leur popularité. Les résultats laissent à penser que l'usage actuel des MMC-hors site par les grands industriels de la construction est peu important mais que le niveau devrait augmenter, compte tenu des pressions qui s'exercent pour améliorer la qualité, les délais, les coûts, la productivité ainsi que l'hygiène et la sécurité. Un plus grand usage des méthodes MMC-hors site est toutefois ralenti par la perception de coûts en investissements plus élevés, de problèmes d'interfaces, de longs délais de livraison, de plannings retardés et par la capacité de production actuelle. Sur la base de ces résultats, cet article présente un ensemble de stratégies qui pourraient améliorer les pratiques MMC-hors site chez les constructeurs de maisons. Il faut espérer que cela aidera à proposer une amélioration de l'offre de logements au Royaume-Uni. construction;construction de maisons;innovation;fabrication;méthodes modernes de construction (MMC);hors site;Royaume-Uni

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