Modular child care facilities can be constructed up to 60% faster than site built construction.
New Technology & Designs
As time has progressed new features and technologies are now available. Green construction has been more common and green features can be incorporated into buildings at a reasonable cost. With the larger number of options, customers can choose how green they want the project to be depending on budget. Customers can also focus on green technologies which also have a positive effect on building operating costs. For example, higher R value insulation reduces heating/cooling load and utility bills as well as reducing green house gas produced from electricity generation. An eco-friendly environment for children can also provide the child care provider an advantage over competitors. A cost analysis can help determine payback period of each green feature.
In addition to green options for modular daycare buildings, customers have more construction types to select from. Site built construction remains the most common option but Off-Site construction is rapidly gaining momentum. Off-Site Construction has evolved from modular construction and the finished project is almost identical to a traditionally completed project. Off-Site Construction is performed in a State of the Art factory and achieves the look, function and feel of traditional onsite construction. In addition, Off-Site Construction is dramatically different than standard manufactured buildings. The process provides the benefit of up to 30% cost savings, faster overall construction time, reduced weather related delays and less site disruption compared to ordinary site construction. Customers now have the option of choosing between relocatable and permanent child care buildings. Several websites have sample floor plans for daycare centers which can be customized to fit individual customer needs.
Modular daycare buildings come in custom finishes to match your existing structures.
Construction Process
Today’s construction includes new codes and additional governmental regulations. Modern buildings are arguably safer, more comfortable and more accessible than buildings of the past. Unfortunately, the number of factors involved with the construction process has increased as well.
A complete site survey must be performed to establish the location of utilities, topography of the site, any environment challenges and site egress. Next, a site plan must be developed to illustrate the location and relevant size of the buildings. Detailed architectural drawings of the building including appearance and floor plan must be created. The use of the building and number of children determines floor plan layout and building size. Customer desires and budget have considerable impact on the appearance of the buildings. These construction drawings incorporate safety designs, accessibility, building function as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, electrical, plumbing and communication utilities. Engineering review of the drawings helps ensure the building will meet current code and are structurally sufficient. The city or other local governing body must approve the project before construction can begin. Financing will be secured and construction will begin. If Off-Site Construction is used, site preparation and building construction can occur simultaneously and it is not necessary to wait until the site is complete before building construction begins. This concurrent construction process can save up to 60% of the total construction time. Buildings are installed at the site when they are approximately 80% complete, then the limited amount of finish work is preformed. The buildings must be inspected throughout the constructed process by a third party agency to certify they are constructed properly. Customers can chose to manage each individual step with separate contracts for each company performing the work.
Modular day care interiors can be custom built to your specifications.
In addition, the Off-Site Construction process can be combined with the Design-Build process to provide a complete turn-key project. The manufacturing & construction company will arrange and coordinate the various aspects of the process including design, Off-Site Construction process, site preparation, building installation and finish work. The Off-Site construction process provides reduced construction time through concurrent site & building construction. The Design-Build aspect streamlines the process to further reduce construction time and customer frustration as the individual steps are managed by a single company. Project financing may also be available as part of the comprehensive package.
Team Members
A limited number of companies specialize in Off-Site Construction of child care buildings and provide Design-Build services. Purchasing directly from the integrated manufacturer/builder eliminates intermediaries and facilitates direct communication between the customer and the builder. In addition, companies operating their own factories have direct control of the process and can ensure a high quality building. It is important to research the company thoroughly and ask to see past projects and examples of their work. An established history is a strong indicator of future success.
-About the author: Brandon Alexander serves as Strategic Marketing Analyst for Modtech Manufacturing & Construction which provides comprehensive Design Build Services including project financing.
