From Order to Handover: How Does the Prefabricated Building Process Work?

What happens after the quote is signed? What our customers most want to know is what will be expected of them at which stage. Below we explain the process from order to handover for container, prefabricated and light steel buildings, with typical durations and the points that cause delay. Durations vary between stock products and project-specific production; the exact schedule is written in the contract.

1. Survey and list of needs

Site visit or remote information gathering: plot dimensions, ground, access, climate and infrastructure. The purpose of use, headcount and delivery level are clarified. Expected from you: title deed or plot information, zoning status if available, a description of how you will use the building.

2. Design

For standard products a plan is selected from the catalogue; for custom projects architectural and structural designs are prepared. For buildings subject to a licence, this stage runs together with the licence file. Expected from you: plan approval. Production does not start until approval is given; this is where time is most often lost in the process.

3. Contract and production plan

Scope, item list, delivery date and payment plan are written into the contract. The production planning department schedules the job; material orders are placed. If main materials such as galvanized sheet, panels and windows are in stock, production starts immediately.

4. Factory production

Light steel profiles are produced on roll-forming lines, panels on the panel line and container bodies on the welding line. Electrical and plumbing installations, windows and interior cladding are installed at the factory. Typical duration: days for a stock container, a few weeks for a custom prefabricated building, a block-by-block schedule for multi-block projects. At this stage you can carry out an interim inspection at the factory if you wish.

5. Quality control

Dimension, weld, paint, insulation and services tests are carried out during and at the end of production; the documents are added to the file. The final pre-shipment check is photographed.

6. Shipping

Monoblock units are shipped whole by truck, knock-down systems packed. The site must be ready on the day of transport: foundation poured and cured, road open, space for the crane. A site that is not ready is the second most common cause of delay; we confirm the shipping date together.

7. Assembly

For containers, placement and line connection are measured in days; for prefabricated and light steel buildings, frame and panel assembly in weeks. Facade, roof, windows and interior partitions are completed in sequence. The assembly crew and crane are our organisation; the electrical and water connection points must be ready on site.

8. Handover and after

The building is walked through together, a snag list is drawn up and closed; the handover report is signed. The user manual, maintenance notes and warranty documents are handed over. For licensed buildings, the occupancy permit application is made at this stage.

Three points that cause delay

• Late plan approval: Production does not start without approval.
• Site not ready: Foundation, road and infrastructure must be ready by the shipping day.
• Requests outside the scope: Changes added during production alter the schedule and budget; collecting changes at the design stage is the most economical way.

If you would like us to put the process on a schedule for your project, share your list of needs; we will get back within 48 hours.