| Structural Frame |
Primary load-bearing components that form the walls, floors, and roof. |
Wood framing
Light-gauge steel
Structural insulated panels
|
Factory-cut or factory-assembled components are delivered to the site and connected according to engineered drawings. |
Room dimensions, ceiling heights, roof profiles, open-plan layouts, and structural spans. |
Design must comply with local building codes, wind loads, snow loads, seismic requirements, and foundation conditions. |
| Foundation Interface |
The connection between the house kit and the ground-support system. |
Concrete slab
Crawl space
Basement
Piers
|
The foundation is normally prepared before the kit arrives, after which the prefabricated structure is anchored to it. |
Foundation type, crawl-space height, basement inclusion, accessibility features, and site-specific reinforcement. |
Soil testing, drainage, frost depth, water management, and survey information may be required before construction. |
| Exterior Wall Assembly |
Wall layers that provide structure, weather protection, insulation, and interior support. |
Timber studs
Plywood or OSB sheathing
Weather-resistant barrier
Siding
|
Wall panels or wall sections are manufactured with repeatable dimensions and joined on site. |
Siding profile, exterior color, window placement, wall thickness, cladding material, and façade details. |
Air sealing, moisture control, thermal bridging, fire resistance, and regional energy requirements should be reviewed. |
| Roof System |
Roof framing, weatherproof layers, insulation, ventilation, and the finished roof covering. |
Prefabricated trusses
Asphalt shingles
Metal roofing
Membrane roofing
|
Roof trusses or panels are lifted into position, secured to the walls, and finished with roofing layers. |
Gable, hip, shed, or flat roof forms; roof pitch; skylights; overhangs; and roof-covering materials. |
Roof design must account for local precipitation, wind, snow loads, ventilation, flashing, and solar equipment loads. |
| Insulation and Air Sealing |
Materials and detailing used to reduce heat transfer and uncontrolled air movement. |
Fiberglass batts
Mineral wool
Rigid foam
Spray foam
|
Insulation is installed in wall, roof, and floor assemblies, while joints and penetrations are sealed during assembly. |
Insulation thickness, climate-zone performance, airtightness targets, acoustic upgrades, and low-emission materials. |
Required thermal performance varies by climate and local code; vapor-control strategy must suit the building location. |
| Windows and Exterior Doors |
Openings that provide daylight, ventilation, access, and weather protection. |
Double glazing
Triple glazing
Low-emissivity glass
Insulated doors
|
Openings are coordinated with the structural panels and installed with flashing, seals, and insulation around the frames. |
Size, orientation, opening style, glazing level, privacy glass, accessibility, and door configuration. |
U-value, solar heat gain, water penetration, egress rules, safety glazing, and local energy requirements should be checked. |
| Electrical System |
Power distribution, lighting circuits, outlets, controls, and safety devices. |
Electrical panel
Copper or aluminum wiring
LED lighting
Ground-fault protection
|
Wiring may be partially installed in factory-built sections or completed after the modules and panels are assembled. |
Outlet locations, lighting layouts, appliance circuits, data outlets, electric vehicle charging, and backup power provisions. |
Electrical work typically requires qualified installation and inspection under applicable electrical codes. |
| Plumbing and Water Systems |
Fresh-water supply, hot-water distribution, drainage, waste, and fixture connections. |
PEX supply lines
PVC or ABS drainage
Water heater
Pressure controls
|
Plumbing chases and wet-room layouts are planned in advance, reducing on-site routing and cutting. |
Kitchen and bathroom locations, fixture types, water-heater capacity, filtration, laundry placement, and outdoor taps. |
Connection to municipal services, wells, septic systems, drainage slope, freeze protection, and access for maintenance are important. |
| Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation |
Equipment and distribution systems that maintain indoor temperature and air quality. |
Heat pumps
Ducted systems
Ductless systems
Heat-recovery ventilation
|
Mechanical equipment is sized for the completed envelope, with ducts, refrigerant lines, or ventilation ducts coordinated during design. |
Equipment type, zoning, thermostat controls, filtration, duct routing, humidity control, and fresh-air ventilation. |
System sizing should be based on a heating and cooling load calculation rather than floor area alone. |
| Interior Finishes |
Visible surfaces and fixtures that complete the interior spaces. |
Gypsum board
Paint
Engineered wood
Tile
Cabinetry
|
Some finishes may be installed in a factory, while others are completed after delivery to prevent transport damage. |
Flooring, wall colors, trim profiles, cabinetry, countertops, bathroom finishes, doors, and lighting fixtures. |
Material choices affect cost, maintenance, moisture resistance, installation time, and indoor air quality. |
| Kitchen and Bathroom Modules |
High-use areas containing cabinets, fixtures, appliances, plumbing, and ventilation. |
Factory-built cabinets
Composite or stone surfaces
Ceramic fixtures
Exhaust ventilation
|
Standardized wet-area layouts can be preassembled or prepared for rapid connection at the building site. |
Number of fixtures, storage capacity, island design, appliance locations, shower or tub arrangement, and accessibility features. |
Wet-area waterproofing, ventilation, drainage access, and clearances should be coordinated before manufacturing begins. |
| Exterior Utility Connections |
Links from the building to electricity, water, wastewater, gas, telecommunications, and stormwater systems. |
Service conduits
Water service lines
Sewer or septic connection
Stormwater drainage
|
Connection points are designed into the kit, while trenching and final site connections are usually completed locally. |
Utility entry locations, all-electric operation, solar-ready wiring, rainwater collection, and water-saving fixtures. |
Availability, capacity, permits, easements, connection fees, and utility-provider requirements vary by site. |
| Delivery and Assembly |
Transportation, unloading, lifting, sequencing, fastening, weatherproofing, and final site work. |
Flat-packed panels
Volumetric modules
Crane lifting
Mechanical fasteners
|
Components are transported to the prepared site, positioned in sequence, connected, inspected, and finished. |
Panelized or modular delivery, assembly sequence, site-finish level, porch or deck additions, and landscaping scope. |
Road access, crane clearance, staging space, weather conditions, local labor, inspections, and temporary protection affect installation. |
| Customization Level |
The range of design and performance choices available before production. |
Standard plans
Modified plans
Fully custom design
|
Customization is incorporated into digital plans and engineering documents before materials are cut or modules are produced. |
Floor plan, façade, finishes, energy systems, accessibility, storage, window arrangement, and smart-home provisions. |
Changes made after production starts can increase cost and lead time, so selections should be confirmed early. |
| Quality and Compliance Checks |
Inspections and documentation verifying structural, energy, electrical, plumbing, and fire-safety performance. |
Engineering drawings
Factory quality checks
Site inspections
Performance testing
|
Factory controls can improve repeatability, while local authorities verify the completed building at required stages. |
Energy-performance targets, accessibility provisions, fire-rated assemblies, acoustic upgrades, and durability specifications. |
Approval requirements differ by jurisdiction; a prefab kit still needs proper permits, foundations, services, and site compliance. |
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