The report's authors write that prefab and modular construction are on the rise as the "industry seeks to improve safety, productivity, quality, cost, schedule, and sustainability performance." In particular, they add, "Construction sites are greener due to less waste being generated, and safer due to working with assemblies and modules produced off-site."

We agree and are equally enthused about prefab's potential. So much so that we'd like to share with you our favorite prefab manufacturers and models and why we're fans. Let's get started.

Plant Prefab 

The company, based in Rialto, CA, is the first custom modular and panelized home builder dedicated to sustainable building, materials, processes, and operations to achieve B Corporation certification. "As a socially responsible business, we've always been committed to wedding purpose and profit in our work," said Steve Glenn, founder, and CEO, in a press release.

They went on to say that they used the US Green Building Council's (USGBCs) LEED program for many years to secure third-party verification of their sustainability and performance. They consider B Lab to be an equivalent authority to measure the company's impact. They have an extremely comprehensive process and require that companies undergo verification every three years to maintain compliance.

Deltec

Well-known for its round-house prefabs, Deltec works with clients to achieve the level of sustainability they're seeking. Whether homeowners are simply seeking energy efficiency or aspiring to net-zero, the company designs homes that seamlessly connect the indoors and outdoor landscape. The prefabs are fabricated in a factory powered by 100% renewable energy. Based in Asheville, NC, the company also has a recycle and reuse program that diverts more than 80% of waste away from landfills.

The sustainability key here is bamboo, which the company uses in its prefab construction instead of wood. Bamboo is a fast-growing natural material and provides options for building practices that save forests and natural resources. Bamboo, the company says, is a renewable resource that requires less energy and creates less pollution and waste. The tiny-home model, delightfully named Bonsai, is an excellent option for off-grid living.  

Based in Seattle, WA, FabCab incorporates universal design principles into its prefabs for gracious living as homeowners age in place. The home packages are sold as a kit of precision-cut and labeled parts. These can be purchased as parts only or as complete homes, including assembly, finishes, foundation, site work, and permits. Interior features options include bamboo and recycled carpet flooring, in-floor hydronic heating, and energy-efficient appliances.

EcoCraft 

The models offered by this Pittsburgh, PA, company are all Passive House certified. This means that the prefabs are built to PHIUS specifications that include an airtight building envelope, high-performance windows and doors, and thermal bridge free construction. ERVs provide continuous, fresh, filtered air for a healthy home. The team has also selected building materials that are healthy, recyclable, and free of toxic chemicals and other contaminants.

Dvele recently announced DveleIQ, its five-step, smart-home approach to prefab. In a press release, Dvele pointed out that smart thermostats and integrated systems like Alexa or Google Assistant are Level 3: DveleIQ is Level 5. Matt Howland, the president of Dvele, said that they wanted to help push the industry forward. To do that, they built the first fully integrated, intelligent, software-defined home that complements their self-powered home product. The system includes 300 data feeds (via sensors) that measure VOCs, formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other particulates and toxins that are immediately reduced through fresh-air delivery. 

Module 

The Pittsburgh-based company blends clean, fresh, modern design with modular construction, giving homeowners the option to build a home that’s zero-energy ready quickly. Module opened for business in 2016 and has continually refined its product with customer research and feedback. The Berkley accessory dwelling unit (ADU) compresses complete living into 265 square feet. The multi-level Indy, Tallboy, and Moonlight models are perfect for urban infill sites. 

Shelter Dynamics 

This California company innovated the Flex House, a small footprint, energy-efficient, factory-built smart house that’s cost-effective, healthy, sustainable, and delightful to inhabit. Designed by modular housing pioneer Jim Gregory, the Flex House includes:

• A 2.5 kW solar array (with optional upgrades, battery backup, and full off-the-grid capability)
• All-LED lighting with smart home automation control
• A mini-split heat pump HVAC system
• Double-glazed windows, and 
• R-40 insulation in the floor and ceiling and R-30 insulation in the walls. 

Urbaneer 

Inspired by homes they enjoyed in Europe, the founders of Urbaneer designed three modular home models (with more to come). All three allow homeowners to live large in 300 to 1,800 square feet—due, in part, to innovative convertible spaces. The Huron has a hidden wall-bed system. The Grand is a one-bedroom, two-level home with a movable-track wall system that easily converts rooms from one use to another. The Tioga started it all with its European-inspired design and the patented room-transforming innovations for which Urbaneer is now known. 

Linwood Homes 

Within Linwood Homes' eight model collections (which include ranch-style, post-and-beam, and modern homes, as well as cottages and cabins), are a wide variety of designs. Using prefabricated materials and paying close attention to site characteristics, the Canadian company also customizes its models to meet homeowner wishes.

Bert & May 

Based in London, Bert & May has joined forces with Box 9 Design to create Bert's Boxes, turn-key pods constructed from shipping containers for homeowners wishing to increase their living space or add a small dwelling to their property. Modular and modern, the models range from a 160-square-foot office box to a two-bedroom home with Met Therm windows, sustainable insulation, a photovoltaic system, and weathered barn siding. 

Honomobo 

Honomobo's prefab shipping-container homes are factory-built using rigid steel. They feature floor-to-ceiling windows and a sleek, minimalist style that integrates indoor and outdoor living. The H Series ranges from a plug-and-play home office or studio to a four-bedroom, three-bath, 1920-square-foot home comprised of 6 x 40' shipping containers and large glass walls. The California company also can outfit the homes with solar arrays to make them net-positive. 

Kodasema

The Koda is a free-standing compact house designed to be installed and uninstalled in various locations and for an array of functions. Kodasema, based in Estonia, created the timber-frame, factory constructed houses to leave a small footprint in terms of transport pollution, worker safety, construction waste, and urban noise. The homes are delivered with a trailer in one piece. Installation takes less than a day. From the micro-loft to the Koda Float (a micro-house on pontoons) to the popular Koda Concrete (constructed with CLT), the offerings are small, beautiful, and sustainable. 

Bensonwood 

A certified Passive House builder, Bensonwood takes sustainable prefab to a new level with its PHlexible Passive House wall system. The New Hampshire company utilizes its scalable, panelized building enclosure system combined with proper site orientation, square footage, and size and types of windows to achieve Passive House standards. In collaboration with LakelFlato and KieranTimberlake, Bensonwood has also created OpenHome with three models. Built to Passive House standards and without toxic interior finishes, the three models are also customizable. 

Brightbuilt Home 

With its selection of simple, classic house designs — all of which are net-zero — Brightbuilt Home (based in Portland, Maine) seamlessly blends a fresh, contemporary aesthetic with sustainable technologies. The homes are powered by photovoltaic solar cells, all finishes comply with low-VOC requirements, and fixtures are ENERGY STAR rated. The ERV, a heat-pump water heater, and solar inverter are tucked into the basement. Air-source heat pumps provide heating and cooling. 

GO Logic 

The Maine company has a portfolio of sleek contemporary designs that range from a 600-square-foot single-bedroom cottage to a 2,500-square-foot, four-bedroom family home. All GO Logic designs are optimized for comfortable open-plan living, low operating costs, and durability. The super-insulated, air-sealed building shells on these prefabs have been designed to use 80% less energy than a conventional new house. An efficient energy-recovery ventilation system delivers a continuous supply of fresh, tempered outdoor air to every room in the home. If the site has good solar exposure, the company can add a photovoltaic array for a zero-energy home.

BONE Structure 

The company, which has offices in Canada and the US, builds its models using a patented steel structure and high-performance rigid and foam insulation (walls at R-28.5, ceilings at R-30 or higher) for net-zero ready homes. By significantly reducing the home's energy requirements, the BONE Structure construction system allows homeowners to reach net-zero easily. 

High-performance floor-to-ceiling windows and doors complete the thermal envelope. The minimalist, inviting models in the OS Collection have open plan living inspired by the Scandinavian concept of Hygge.