​What actually is PPVC?

Prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction is a construction method whereby free standing units such as an entire bathroom, are manufactured and assembled in an off-site fabrication facility before being transported whole to the building site where it is then installed. Where it differs to previous prefab systems is that in this case the finishes for the walls, ceilings and floors is all done in the off-site facility.

What are the benefits of PPVC?

​The benefits – and the reasons the government is backing the move to PPVC so heavily – are numerous and fairly clear cut. The main one is that it increases productivity significantly – up to 50% in most cases. As a consequence the construction process is speeded up dramatically, and requires less manpower, resulting in very tangible cost and time savings. That isn’t all however. By carrying out a lot of the work off site, and not just offsite but in a controlled, factory environment there are substantial improvements in safety, as well as a vast reduction in noise pollution and dust at the building site.
One of the main reasons that bathrooms have been singled out is due to the fact that despite their relatively small size, they are one of the most labour intensive areas of a property due to the plumbing and electrical requirements inherent in their design. Using prefabrication techniques can give developers productivity improvements of 80% in that specific area. Those benefits are offset slightly by subsequent increases in logistical and transportation costs and issues. This brings us to the perceived and actual disadvantages of this ground-breaking construction method.

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