One of the biggest advantages of prefab houses over traditional construction is the speed of building. While a brick house can take many months or even longer before you can move in, a prefab house can be built much faster once the design, the documents and the plot preparation are complete.
But how long does it actually take to build a prefab house in Montenegro?
In this guide we explain the stages the build goes through, how long each of them can take and what can affect the final move-in date.
How much time does it take to build a prefab house?
The build time depends on the size of the house, the chosen model, the level of finish, how well the site is prepared and the weather.
Once the design and the required documents are complete, the assembly of the house itself can be finished in a relatively short time. However, the whole process from preparing the plot to moving in covers several stages.
That is why it is important to tell apart the time needed for the assembly alone and the total time needed to complete the whole project.
What are the stages of building a prefab house?
1. Preparing the design and documents
Before work starts, you need to decide on the look and size of the house, the layout of the rooms, the materials and the level of finish.
At this stage the design documents are prepared and the conditions for building on the specific plot are checked.
Good planning at the start can make the later stages much easier and faster.
2. Preparing the plot
Before the house is put up, the site needs to be prepared.
Depending on the location, this may involve:
- clearing and levelling the ground
- excavation
- preparing the foundation
- drainage
- water and electricity connections
- access for delivering materials
How long this stage takes depends mainly on the lie of the land and the conditions on the plot.
3. Building the foundation
A prefab house is placed on a suitable foundation, which must be built according to the design and the characteristics of the building.
Once the foundation is finished, everything needs to be made ready for putting up the structure of the house.
A well built foundation is one of the most important conditions for a good, long-lasting prefab house.
4. Making and preparing the house elements
With prefab houses, much of the work is done away from the building site.
The structure and elements of the house can be prepared in advance, which means that much of the work on the plot is done far faster than with traditional brick construction.
This is one of the main advantages of the prefab system.
5. Assembling the house
Once the foundation is ready and the elements have been delivered to the site, assembly of the building begins.
The structure is put up, the walls are closed, the openings are fitted and work continues on the roof and facade.
How fast this stage goes depends on the size and complexity of the building, as well as on the weather.
How long does it take to assemble a prefab house?
Assembling the structure itself can take much less time than traditional construction, but there is no single timeline that fits every house.
A smaller, simpler house can be finished sooner, while larger buildings with a more complex design and more finishing work take longer.
That is why it is best to set the build time based on the specific project, the floor area of the building and the chosen level of finish.
What can extend the build time?
Although prefab houses are known for fast construction, certain circumstances can extend the timeline.
The most common factors are:
- an unprepared site
- difficult access to the plot
- delays with the documents
- bad weather
- changes to the design during construction
- extra work that was not planned
- delays with the utility connections
That is why good preparation before work starts is so important.
Can a prefab house be built all year round?
Prefab construction gives more flexibility than traditional building, but the weather can still affect some of the work.
It is especially important to plan the outdoor work properly, such as site preparation, foundations and some of the finishing work.
With good planning and organisation, much of the process can be carried out at different times of the year.
A prefab house: a faster way to move in
One of the main advantages of a prefab house is precisely the shorter time needed to complete the building.
Unlike traditional construction, where many jobs are done one after another on the building site, with prefab construction parts of the process can run at the same time.
While the house elements are being prepared, the groundwork can be carried out on the plot. This way the total project time can be reduced even further.
How can you speed up building a prefab house?
If you want to move into your new house as soon as possible, it is important to have a clearly defined plan before work starts.
It is best to decide the following in advance:
- the house design
- the room layout
- the materials
- the type of facade
- the windows and doors
- the heating and cooling system
- the level of finish
- the utility connections
- access to the plot
The more things are decided before construction starts, the lower the risk of delays and later changes.
Conclusion
Prefab houses are one practical option for anyone who wants a finished home in less time than with traditional construction.
The total build time depends on many factors: from preparing the documents and the plot, through the foundation and assembly, to the finishing work and utility connections.
The biggest advantage of the prefab system is that much of the house is prepared in advance, while the work on site can be done quickly and in an organised way.
If you are planning to build a prefab house in Montenegro, it is important that the build time is set according to the specific project, the floor area of the building and the level of finish you want.
For more information about prefab houses and building options in Montenegro, contact Relax Home and find out which solution best suits your needs.
