One of the unintended benefits of utilizing one of these methods is the quality assurance that comes with the finished product. Factory and robotics-produced repetitive manufactured components are far more consistent than the common “rule of thumb” often used in the field. Every piece fits seamlessly with another, as the designer intended, creating a far superior building, and the assembly time is shortened considerably. Additionally, in dense urban areas where staging and lay-down space is limited, the ability to manufacture panels and components offsite and precisely schedule their delivery for immediate installation onsite ensures a more efficient process.
A more consistent product and faster assembly on site ensures the project adheres to the schedule, stays on budget, and is ultimately of higher quality. This process helps the property owner occupy the building and start seeing revenue sooner, often up to 2 months. To put that into perspective, for example, to a one hundred unit assisted living community, it can mean $200,000 or more that the owner sees for each month the building is occupied ahead of schedule.
While the product itself may be slightly more expensive than its wood counterpart, the guaranteed savings in construction time and skilled labor with a higher quality building are of significant value for a developer. The integration of the design team, including a development adviser with knowledge of these methods who can bring the experts to the table, ensures the team is working together to innovate and find new ways to do things on behalf of the property owner. Ensuring developers and owners see a faster return on their investment is valuable for everyone involved.