Rise Report Reveals Why Prefabs Have Gained Popularity Amongst Homebuyers
Prefab (also called "off-site," "volumetric," "factory-built," or "industrialized") homes are gaining serious traction with a 52% increase in online conversations compared to 2019. What does this mean for the homebuilding industry?
FREDERICTON, New Brunswick, July 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A new report released today by Rise (https://www.buildwithrise.com/stories/prefab-report-trends) reveals that off-site residential construction is more than a trend as the frequency of conversations related to prefab/modular/offsite has increased by 52% from the previous year. The report also highlights what aspects of prefab homes appeal most to consumers and how they are researching information.
"With the data in hand, we were then able to compare, contrast, and extract the stories and trends that we thought were the most interesting to us and our friends in the home building industry." - Matt Daigle, CEO/Founder, Rise
The Share of Voice between four attributes of off-site construction was compared: durability, build time, sustainability, and affordability. Sustainability as a topic has seen a 41% jump in the last year with affordability a close second with some home buyers believing that prefab is a more affordable option. It seems that this goes hand-in-hand with a preference for small square footage - bungalows, accessory dwelling units (ADUs, or laneway homes), and solutions for affordable housing (at the macro-level). There doesn't seem to be much "buzz" about medium-to-large prefab homes, perhaps because homebuyers don't understand (or care about) the ubiquity and flexibility of this building method.
The general public prefers the term "prefab" as the umbrella term, with questions related to "modular homes" dominating Google searches. These terms are not interchangeable, but clearly there is some misunderstanding (and curiosity) about what modular homes are and what they are not. This presents an educational opportunity for consumers, and also for regulatory bodies looking to the off-site home building industry for housing solutions.
There is an increased demand for high-quality, high-performance homes with smaller square footage and flexible spaces, and this trend isn't going away. The report gives further insight into where prefabs are popular, what stories are trending, how home buyers are researching, and where the online conversations are happening. It's clear that
prefab manufacturers and designers have an opportunity to meet homebuyers while they're still in the research phase of this significant investment.
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Rise (http://www.buildwithrise.com) is the leading online platform for homeowner know-how, expertise, and connections for a more sustainable home. Visitors can access expert articles, interactive photos, energy rebates, and even connect with manufacturers and pros in their area to make their next home improvement project a sustainable one. Rise is partnering with like-minded manufacturers and building professionals who want to get in front of customers who are looking for products and services that benefit their health, wealth, and the planet.
SOURCE Rise
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