As the UK moves towards more modern methods of construction (MMC), prefabrication and factory-based methods have never been more popular. From reducing construction time to promoting sustainable development and saving a significant amount of money on large projects, offsite manufacturing offers a huge amount of benefits which is making it such a hot topic in the industry. It is a contemporary solution to traditional construction problems around safety, build time and build quality. Some MMC methods include ‘Precast Flat Panel System’, Hybrid Concrete Construction, Thin-Joint Masonry, Precast Foundations.
Why is MMC becoming increasingly popular?
With skill gaps in the industry and material shortages plaguing the ability to complete construction projects on time, MMC has been the most efficient and successful solution.
Throughout the pandemic, Modern Methods of Construction has been a godsend for the overall industry. With fewer workers being allowed on site due to Covid restrictions, it has allowed companies to complete projects within the original given time frame. Mid Group’s Client Solutions Director, Emily King, noted in a roundtable with Construction News, that specialising in MMC made it easier to keep working throughout lockdown:
“Because we had MMC solutions, we had fewer people on-site, so our [projects] could keep running.”
When considering time and efficiency, alongside a cultural shift following the pandemic, MMC is the way forward. However, when comparing MMC to conventional construction methods, quality is a question that continues to be raised.
Does MMC provide Quality as well as Quantity?
With some highly publicised failures surrounding MMC’s implementation, many people have doubts regarding the level of quality MMC can provide when compared to traditional construction.
L&Q’s Construction Services Director, Wayne Hill, believes that standardisation is a key contributor to ensure quality remains at the forefront of projects where MMC is in use.
A report from The NHBC Foundation found that MMC does have a role to play in improving the quality of construction, alongside overcoming the industry skill gaps and ensuring plans remain on schedule, which is one of the most common frustrations of a construction project.
For MMC to work with maximum quality, everyone from the site team to traders need to understand it, know what they are doing and want to execute it.
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