Future opportunities for offsite in the UK

TLDR

Offsite construction technologies elicit diverse practitioner views in the UK, varying by role or position. The study aims to gauge sector‑specific opinions and forecast future growth of the UK offsite construction sector. A questionnaire survey of over 80 UK construction professionals across suppliers, contractors, and designers/clients was conducted. Most practitioners recognize offsite’s potential and drawbacks, the market was valued at £2.2 bn in 2004 with rising demand, yet growth is hindered by insufficient cost transparency and a shortage of multi‑skilled labour.

Abstract

Practitioners' views and opinions on the benefits and drawbacks of offsite technologies in the UK construction industry can vary widely, often depending upon their role or position. This research provides an indication of the opinions of the different sectors within the industry, including clients, designers, contractors and offsite suppliers, together with some predictions for the future growth of the offsite sector in the UK. A questionnaire survey of UK construction was conducted in order to target the three main construction industry sectors—suppliers/manufacturers, contractors and designers/clients. More than 80 questionnaires were completed and returned. The vast majority of practitioners within the industry are aware of the possibilities and potential of offsite, and most also understand the advantages and disadvantages of its use. The value of the UK offsite market was valued at £2.2bn in 2004 and the demand for offsite is clearly increasing, but it is not always clear in a project who is the main driver for its use. For the offsite market to develop further however, two main problems need to be addressed; the lack of transparent information for the decision makers in the construction process, particularly that relating to comparative costs, and the lack of available multi‐skilled labour to work in the offsite factories.