Modpacs vs Conventional and Modular Construction: What's the Difference—and Why It Matters
Australia’s housing shortfall isn’t going away anytime soon, and the usual ways of building just aren’t keeping up. That’s where Modpacs comes in. It’s not your typical prefab system—and it’s not just more of the same factory-built model. Modpacs is a different approach: designed to be faster, smarter, and built by local hands.
So what makes Modpacs stand out? Let’s take a look.
1. Construction Method
Conventional Construction:
Homes are built from the ground up on-site. Materials arrive in stages, trades follow sequentially and weather or subcontractor delays can blow out timelines.
Factory Modular:
Homes are built in large centralised factories, transported to the site in large sections, then craned into position. While more efficient than conventional builds, transport, cranage and fixed design limits flexibility and scalability.
Modpacs Flatpack:
Modpacs uses a flatpack, panelised system for walls, roof and flooring. Structural panels arrive on-site pre-cut, pre-finished and ready for rapid assembly by small local builders. This just-in-time model eliminates costly delays while enabling decentralised, region-based construction.
2. Speed and Efficiency
Conventional Construction:
Typical homes can take 12+ months. Labour shortages, site access issues and material delays often extend build times.
Factory Modular:
Builds can be faster, typically 10–16 weeks, but depend on factory capacity and lead times, with added logistical delays in delivery and cranage.
Modpacs Flatpack:
With simplified on-site assembly, reduced trade reliance, and pre-certified components, Modpacs homes can be built in as little as 6–8 weeks from delivery, without the bottlenecks of factory scheduling.
3. Cost Certainty and Waste Reduction
Conventional Construction:
Weather delays, trade inconsistencies and on-site waste all contribute to cost blowouts and inefficiencies.
Factory Modular:
Offers better material control but adds transport and cranage costs. Design changes can be expensive once production starts.
Modpacs Flatpack:
Engineered for cost control, each kit includes a fixed bill of materials with minimal on-site waste. No cranage. No factory overheads. No surprises.
4. Building Compliance and Performance
Conventional Construction:
Energy efficiency and disaster resilience often vary by builder skill and interpretation of codes.
Factory Modular:
Typically meets minimum compliance, but limitations exist in customising for extreme weather or site-specific requirements.
Modpacs Flatpack:
Built using Bondor insulated panels and Hardie/CSR-compliant linings, Modpacs homes are engineered for cyclone, bushfire (BAL) and flood compliance—without compromise.
5. Regional and Remote Access
Conventional Construction:
Remote builds suffer from high costs, slow delivery and scarce local trades.
Factory Modular:
Modules can be hard to transport to remote or inaccessible areas, with costly cranes and logistical constraints.
Modpacs Flatpack:
Flatpacks are compact, easy to transport and assembled by local builders, supporting regional economies and slashing lead times.
6. Design Flexibility
Conventional Construction:
Custom design is expensive and time-consuming. Affordable options often mean cookie-cutter layouts.
Factory Modular:
Designs are usually fixed around production line efficiencies. Custom changes can disrupt workflow and add cost.
Modpacs Flatpack:
Flatpack doesn’t mean fixed. Modpacs offers flexible layouts and designs (even two-story designs) tailored to the site and community, while retaining efficiency and code compliance.
In Summary
Modpacs isn’t just a new way to build—it’s a smarter, more scalable way to deliver homes. Unlike conventional or factory modular construction, Modpacs empowers small builders, unlocks regional growth and restores client control—without sacrificing performance, time, or affordability.
Have questions about how Modpacs works or whether it’s right for your project?
Leave a comment below or send us an email.
The Modpacs team.