NEWS FEATURE 17
WHY BUILD BATHROOMS OFFSITE?
James Stephens, managing director of Offsite Solutions, looks at why more developers are moving bathroom construction offsite, particularly in London.
W
e are seeing unprecedented demand for bathroom pods in high-end apartment schemes,
mixed-use developments, social housing and build-to-rent. This is being driven by the shortage of skilled labour (particularly in the south east), issues with consistent quality, and the construction industry’s poor record of on time and on-budget delivery. With reports such as the Farmer Review
and the Government’s Construction 2025 strategy having highlighted the need to move to offsite methods, there are a number of compelling reasons why pods should be considered by developers.
REDUCED BUILD PROGRAMMES Moving bathroom construction into a controlled factory environment can save as much as 20 weeks on a large residential project. This means faster return on investment for the developer and earlier occupation for the client – and much greater certainty of completion on time and to budget. Site-built bathrooms can take six to 12
weeks to complete, requiring multiple trades and extensive site management. By contrast, 10 GRP pods or six to eight steel-framed pods can typically be offloaded on site in two hours for rapid installation.
COST EFFICIENCY The use of bathroom pods allows a number of trades to be combined under one contract, reducing risk. This simplifies cost management and cash flow forecasting, with factory work costing less, being more predictable, and more stable than multiple subcontractors onsite. With Labour rates in London growing
disproportionately to the rest of the UK, using one contract can realise cost savings. With in-situ bathrooms, all subcontractors will separately apply for
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payment, and while there may be a fixed price, costs are more difficult to predict early on. Cost variations can also arise where
additional labour and materials are needed to rectify poor construction work. Snagging and remedial works are hugely reduced when construction is offsite. There is also less risk of theft and
accidental damage with bathroom pods. For example, the units can be delivered without shower hoses or light bulbs – the two items most frequently stolen from site.
PROCUREMENT & QUALITY CONTROL Site-based construction requires around seven different trades and 10-15 operations plus the required drying times. With offsite, a single pod supplier means less risk of delays and simplified procurement. The production line environment of pod
manufacture offers consistently higher quality and improved productivity. The repeated nature of their production means that units can be completed to higher quality standards than onsite alternatives. Testing is rigorous and quality assurance procedures are stringent for ready-to-use installation, mitigating defects and remedial works.
REDUCED WASTE & SAFER WORKING Efficient processes with lean production techniques and better materials management optimise the use of resources. In addition, waste can be designed out – factory waste can be reduced to below 1 per cent. Pre-assembly significantly reduces
accident rates. A good pod manufacturer will design the pods for fast installation on site, using for example, mechanically-fitted pan connectors and pre-wired junction boxes to simplify electrics. Connections to services are made
externally, so access should be allowed for as part of the pod installation and building designers must consider pod installation in the build-up of walls and floors.
DESIGN FLEXIBILITY After significant advances in bathroom pod technology, there is a wide range of solutions for different building types and sites: • Steel-framed pods – premium aesthetics and design flexibility, for large-scale apartments, high-spec student residences and Build to Rent
• GRP pods – student accommodation and social housing; lower capital expenditure and low maintenance
• Hybrid concrete/steel pods – concrete base/steel-framed walls for high-spec flats
• Demountable pods – a sectional structure for projects without access for fully assembled pods, eg refurbs
• Hybrid GRP pods – enhanced finish and improved aesthetics with tiling/recesses
• Floorless pods – where a continuous floor finish is required throughout or for DDA. In contrast to onsite construction of
bathrooms, which can be inefficient and too often causes issues with delays, health and safety management, and poor workmanship, factory-built bathrooms are delivered ready for installation, providing a consistent quality of finish. Cutting-edge manufacturing technology and quality-controlled production is revolutionising the efficiency of bathroom construction.
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