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.

Ahead of the curve, Deltec won a US Department of Energy's DOE Housing Innovation Award in 2019. We featured one of Deltec's non-circular, net-zero panelized homes from the Renew Collection, which uses two-thirds less energy than a non-sustainable home. The homeowners upped the ante by powering their all-electric home with 18 solar panels.

After working through numerous iterations, Phoenix Haus came up with Passive House design and construction underscored by its certified Alpha building system. H19's super-insulated roof and wall panels, triple-pane doors and windows, heat pump, and 12 solar panels powering the electric house are quite the winning combination.

Bamboo Living

Based in Pahoa, HI, this fascinating prefab company creates the "only internationally certified, permit-ready bamboo homes and buildings in the world," according to Bamboo Living's website. Durable, low-maintenance, pest- and insect-resistant, and able to withstand hurricanes with winds more than 200 mph, these prefabs are built for resilience.

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 

Yes, modern luxury is possible with Dvele, which has its own factory in southern California for production for West Coast customers. With four customizable "mini" prefab homes (perfect for ADUs), and nine other customizable prefab templates ranging from a cottage-sized version at 888 square feet to multi-level homes at more than 3,000 square feet, all options are sustainable. 

The company sources sustainable materials and works with partners who do the same. These Passive House certified homes are constructed and insulated to be airtight and energy-efficient. Solar is always an option to take the house to net positive. The electric homes also include high-efficiency hot-water heaters and induction stoves. Dvele also, for each dwelling it finishes, plants 10,000 trees. 

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. 

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. 

Pacific Homes

What's your style? Whether mountain modern, alpine cottage, ranch, coastal contemporary, Pacific Homes works with homeowners to design their home from one of Pacific's plans or with customization. Based in British Columbia, Canada, but available all over North America, the company uses its own Pacific SmartWall® System. The wall assembly is up to 128% more energy-efficient than traditional construction. It provides high and effective R-values for floors, ceilings, and walls. The system also reduces noise and increases air quality. We're especially enamored with an off-grid home built by one of the employees in Cowichan Valley, BC, an energy-efficient cottage on Vancouver Island. 

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. 

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. 

Ecocor 

The Maine company Ecocor offers prefabricated, architect-designed homes built to meet Passive House standards. The company sources materials locally. Natural wood is prioritized, but engineered materials are used when they serve a specific function. Heating and cooling, indoor air quality, and moisture are controlled by the Ecocor Passiv Wall, which includes 8 inches of continuous insulation installed in the factory and in the field for no thermal bridging. The Solsken models range from ADUs to four-bedroom homes.