90% of public can’t identify a modular home

Home Group reported that 52% of individuals would be unlikely to live in a modular home, yet almost 90% failed to identify a modern modular product.

The research, carried out on behalf of Home Group by YouGov, found that more than half of those surveyed would not choose modular, and 41% believe that modular homes are less durable than conventionally built homes.

However, using a selection of images from which respondents could identify modular homes, many identified the two container home images as modular (75% and 78% respectively), whereas only 11% identified today’s product as a modular home.

Brian Ham, executive director – development, Home Group said, “We’ve always known that there may be issues with perceptions of modular homes, but it’s reassuring to see that these are not based upon today’s products.

“If we are to respond to the ongoing housing crisis we need to find new and innovative ways of tackling the issue, and modular homes, as well as wider modern methods of construction, including volumetric products, will allow us to deliver homes more efficiently.”

Home Group is launching a live research project in collaboration with ENGIE, to test a wide range of modern methods of construction products and smart technology on one site.

Brian said, “Our aim is to robustly test and compare a wide range and combination of products on the one site, working with all tenants to regularly evaluate the benefits.

“We can then make a case for the increased use of modern methods of construction nationally, and even internationally, using our findings to support and inform all elements of the process – from product design and build to financial lending decisions for potential modular homeowners.”

Rob Pearson, general manager for the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber at Homes England, said, “We are very keen to explore how we can increase the rate at which homes are built and the adoption of modern and innovative methods is a key part of this. We also need to work with partners to ensure that the new skills for the construction of the future are being taught now.

“The long-term study being undertaken will also provide valuable information to make the homes of the future even more energy efficient than they are now.”

Andrew McIntosh, regional managing director for ENGIE, added, “Our aim is to build a variety of homes, using different methods of construction; so, we can evaluate and report on the quickest, most efficient and cost effective ways of delivering the much-needed new homes our country needs and wants.”