High property prices, soaring building costs, rising consumer inflation and an increasingly subdued economy are factors fuelling the development of innovative housing alternatives such as module homes.
As the challenge of affordability continues to grow, Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty chief executive Yael Geffen, expects modular homes, including those made from shipping containers and those constructed using cutting-edge technolo
gy, to become increasingly appealing over the coming decade.
However, while construction costs of modular homes can be more cost-effective than traditional homes, this is not always the case,
saydesigners
and architects.
Philip Nel of Inizio Homes says the construction costs are “very similar to or even slightly more” than traditional building methods.
“This obviously depends on the final design and also the location and site conditions. In some cases it can be more cost-effective if a very modern design is required in a remote area, as an example, but overall each project varies and it is difficult to give more detailed costs.”
While these homes will attract a design fee, which Nel bases on a percentage of the build cost, other costs could be municipal submission of plans, engineering costs and municipal connection
costs, among other things.
“There is a common misconception in South Africa about modular homes and the quality and cost of this option. There are many different offerings in the marketplace but often they are not accredited and also not of the best quality.
“If you go for a good quality, well-designed and high-performance option, the cost will be equal or more than a traditional building in some cases, but you will also get a lot of benefits if designed, specified and executed correctly,” he says.
The biggest advantage to such homes, says Dirk Coetser of A4AC Architects, is that one can move home if needed.
“Therefore you don’t have to own the land because you own the structure. Due to the smaller size of the structure your energy use is
reduced and there is less maintenance.”
The downside is that modular homes are usually small, and while Europeans are used to small spaces, South Africans are not, Coetser says. However, Kalil believes this disadvantage is no longer the case.
“The only ‘con’ most clients have is the size, but when joining numerous containers to create a bigger space, that no longer applies.”
The “pros”, she says, are the construction timelines, the cost a square metre, “and the fact you can create your own space”.
“They are modular so you can stack them
utilising smaller pieces of land more efficiently.”
Contained innovations
IN THE BOX With creative design and quality finishes, shipping container homes can look just like traditional structures. Picture: Supplied
Of all the housing innovations developed over the years, the one to have gained the most traction globally thus far is the shipping container home, says Yael Geffen of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty.
“Shipping containers are fireproof, floodproof and affordable to buy and maintain, and with around 14 million ‘out-of-service’ containers in the world, they are easily obtainable. It’s no surprise their conversion to modular homes is the fastest-growing emergent trend in this sector.”
Geffen says prefabricated and modular methods share key advantages, including:
◆Better affordability;
◆Short construction time;
◆Predictable costs.
Generally, modular and container homes are constructed off-site and most of the building code inspections are made at the factory so it is delivered with approval already in place, she says.
Permanent or movable fixtures
GOING GREEN Container homes can be regarded as either movable or permanent fixtures, depending on the foundations and owners’ intentions when selling. Picture: Supplied
If the foundations of a container
home render it easy and cost-effective
to dismantle and move, the home is
considered a movable fixture, explains
Lara Colananni, specialist conveyancing
attorney at Guthrie Colananni.
“However, if the owner demonstrates the
intention of selling the land and container
home together, as one sells a house,
then the container will be regarded as a
permanent fixture and sold as such, with
transfer duties payable on the total value
of the land and container home.”
Another common question regarding
container homesis
whether all the
standard building regulations are
applicable to a home that is not actually
constructed.
Colananni says: “Safety regulations
regarding the load and integrity of the
container itself would be applicable, and
if you altered it to become a dwelling by
adding plumbing and electrical wiring,
then the zoning and use regulations
would also be applicable.”
All structures that are intended for use as
dwellings need an Occupation Certificate.