Good stuff. I once was a principal of a wall panel Fab shop. We were vertically integrating a multifamily building business when the Reagan Admin changed the tax code and swamped us. 1985. I did get to produce a couple hundred condos out of it. And two huge identical oceanfront beach homes, side by side, that belonged to Dr. business partners. The beach homes were tax shelters, too. My dad set the first two crane set modular homes ever used in the county I grew up in. We were early proponents of prefabricating and vert integration. We controlled a mortgage bank, a cabinetry distributorship, a wall panel plant, and a cellulose insulation plant at various points. We built about 1000 condos and dozens of SFRs. All before I was 30. My dad tried to get one of my sister's to study masonry.
Separating the electrical boxes and other penetrations from the insulation cavity in the wall is a good concept. Vapor barriers have less function in most climate zones. In many places you do not want ANY vapor barrier, Only vapor retarders.
It’s crazy how little dust there is. When they lift an arm off a flat edge there is no mark and there’s no halo around the shop lights. Talk about attention to detail!
I’m thinking about all the receptacles that go around every room. Why not have a pre-made assembly (everything but the cover) with conduit going vertical to connect to power above the drywall with lever locks. So much work could be done at the factory. Run the romex connecting all the circuit.
from what I've learned from them they would love to do that but the variance between building inspectors and local codes makes it less feasible, lots of plug and play stuff in Europe that is not approved in the U.S. also
@@jims.4785 it's an improved system for sure but like you implied the industry and codes are still so piecemeal that despite it being 2022 it still feels like in the US we haven't reached critical mass of applying a systems view approach to the whole process from planning, design to building and even homeowner knowledge with use and repair etc. Maybe we can build homes the way we do airliners or even EV cars with entirely mobile automation as well integrating all the mechanicals into the floor and shell from the start. At some point the building envelope will integrate with a whole house battery, all the mechanicals and then access to all of it without things getting buried or hidden.
@@speciesofspaces In California manufactured homes are centrally permitted. The local inspectors have no say. Maybe this form of Prefab doesn't qualify But that would be best. After all we have only one code in California (besides the biggest cities). Jurisdictions are supposed to be inspecting to that code everywhere.
Great Video! Re: Job site changes and prefabs/panelized construction (around the 47 minute mark); do you think VR models for the end client and/or virtual walkthroughs in unreal engine could minimize enough of the changes to warrant the investment into 3d modeling for the end consumer?
It's all quite amazing and I can see the future is here. However you bring up a good point. I was doing some design work on a project where window openings and sizes had to be changed because of either the architect missing something or the homeowners wanted changes that the 3-d drawings and renderings didn't allow them to see. Sure it's better to plan everything in the beginning and it's necessary for this type of system, but the clients and human nature will want changes as homes are being built unfortunately.
Waste is extremely minimized and the tolerances for air infiltration can’t really matched with onsite building to say nothing of not being exposed to the elements(materials and labor). Pretty impressive actually. Cost? Not overall cheaper but quality and competitive.🤷♂️ We’re leaning towards a Unity over other similar prefabs.
If it weren't for traditional stick builder's ability to muscle trades and labor over pricing (ie... if all builders paid everybody as well as these guys) it would be way closer to competitive. The days of muscling may be coming to an end as I type, though. When carrying costs rise these get more competitive. The increased value/quality proposition is hard to quantify, but real. I don't think it's even fair to expect these to be better and cheaper. If the idiotic way really costs what it does, and it does, and since there's no real way to keep the license holder builder from pocketing every penny he muscled out of the work force that the appraisal allows, nothing about housing is going to get cheaper. This way is the only way to even control the upward lurches of housing costs, imho.
Those wall beams should have some of the web removed and run the electrical through those openings. This way, its not so close to the interior walls suseptable to damage from nails and screws and what not. Personally I would like to see it run in some conduit but thats just me living in Chicago. Removing some of the web from wall framing will also reduce the thermal bridging especially if spray foam is used but even still if other insulation is used.
I love the channel and love the technology BUT WHERE ARE PEOPLE? Where does discarded shrink wrap go? Does the company’s taxes pay for the UNemployed? Let’s see….lower production costs, higher quality--sounds like lots of $$ for “someone.”😮
Interesting concept in efficent home building similar to to Henry Ford's assembly line idea. But the video didn't need to be this long if Nick Schiffer would have stopped repeating everything the plant manager was saying.
I was thinking the same thing… not saying it’s bad but I just don’t want my house built with mostly wood chips glued together. I’m sure it’s fine, just my preference
Really nothing new here. Toll bros had their own factory for building wall panels, roof trusses etc at their Morrisville Pa facility back in the 70s. And there were other companies offering that service much earlier than that. In the late 60s I built a new model home which was an 1800 sq ft split level in one day from the finish foundation walls. The floor system, all the walls, and roof were completed in one day. No doubt improvements have been made in the system as has everything else. But again, nothing new as for the system itself.
@@NSBuilders Your type of construction is trying to get the highest R value. At some point the cost out weights the savings. A higher efficient HVAC would serve you better at a much lower cost.
@@jeffreymerkeley4526 Im not saying don't be energy efficient. I'm saying there is a better way. Boilers/radiant heat are extremely efficient or Geothermal is extremely efficient cooling.
Good stuff. I once was a principal of a wall panel Fab shop. We were vertically integrating a multifamily building business when the Reagan Admin changed the tax code and swamped us. 1985. I did get to produce a couple hundred condos out of it. And two huge identical oceanfront beach homes, side by side, that belonged to Dr. business partners. The beach homes were tax shelters, too. My dad set the first two crane set modular homes ever used in the county I grew up in. We were early proponents of prefabricating and vert integration. We controlled a mortgage bank, a cabinetry distributorship, a wall panel plant, and a cellulose insulation plant at various points. We built about 1000 condos and dozens of SFRs. All before I was 30. My dad tried to get one of my sister's to study masonry.
TC for Your Family story. Nice to read. 🦘
@@downunda107 I got a little carried away...
Been a huge fan of Benson all tue way back to the timberframe books circa the 70's.....an inspiration for sure!
I'm in a Benson home built in 1981. It's gorgeous.
@@jbfitzwilliam its like a collectors card you get to live in. Benson's books etc have propelled me so far as a timberframer.
Bensonwood Homes and NS builders. Waiting to see the collaboration.
Great job of showing how it gets done!!
A fascinating look at this aspect of home construction. The quality aspect is probably the most significant.
Separating the electrical boxes and other penetrations from the insulation cavity in the wall is a good concept. Vapor barriers have less function in most climate zones. In many places you do not want ANY vapor barrier, Only vapor retarders.
It’s crazy how little dust there is. When they lift an arm off a flat edge there is no mark and there’s no halo around the shop lights. Talk about attention to detail!
great video, great content with a fresh approach.
Thanks for sharing this. 👏
Amazing. So impressive.
I’m thinking about all the receptacles that go around every room. Why not have a pre-made assembly (everything but the cover) with conduit going vertical to connect to power above the drywall with lever locks. So much work could be done at the factory. Run the romex connecting all the circuit.
from what I've learned from them they would love to do that but the variance between building inspectors and local codes makes it less feasible, lots of plug and play stuff in Europe that is not approved in the U.S. also
@@jims.4785 it's an improved system for sure but like you implied the industry and codes are still so piecemeal that despite it being 2022 it still feels like in the US we haven't reached critical mass of applying a systems view approach to the whole process from planning, design to building and even homeowner knowledge with use and repair etc. Maybe we can build homes the way we do airliners or even EV cars with entirely mobile automation as well integrating all the mechanicals into the floor and shell from the start. At some point the building envelope will integrate with a whole house battery, all the mechanicals and then access to all of it without things getting buried or hidden.
@@speciesofspaces In California manufactured homes are centrally permitted. The local inspectors have no say. Maybe this form of Prefab doesn't qualify But that would be best. After all we have only one code in California (besides the biggest cities). Jurisdictions are supposed to be inspecting to that code everywhere.
Great Video! Re: Job site changes and prefabs/panelized construction (around the 47 minute mark); do you think VR models for the end client and/or virtual walkthroughs in unreal engine could minimize enough of the changes to warrant the investment into 3d modeling for the end consumer?
If there were more robots involved, you'd definitely benefit with 3d assemblies.
Quality construction that is repeatable. With the labor shortage (that is not going to get any better), hopefully we will see more and more of this.
Excellent, I'd love more content of prefab, manufactured homes.
NS Builders - outstanding tour. Question can you select what you would like for exterior wall studs ? 2x8 etc...
Nice video about good practices.
It's all quite amazing and I can see the future is here. However you bring up a good point. I was doing some design work on a project where window openings and sizes had to be changed because of either the architect missing something or the homeowners wanted changes that the 3-d drawings and renderings didn't allow them to see. Sure it's better to plan everything in the beginning and it's necessary for this type of system, but the clients and human nature will want changes as homes are being built unfortunately.
Great content once again
Great program so nice to see Americans building
Excited to work with these guys
@@NSBuilders I’m in the trades myself do you guys do any mentoring for small business owners. ? If not no problem just asking
Go to S2A Modular in Patterson CALIFORNIA. See what they are up to.
Super nice 👍
So generally speaking, is this cheaper than the same kind of house built on site?
Waste is extremely minimized and the tolerances for air infiltration can’t really matched with onsite building to say nothing of not being exposed to the elements(materials and labor). Pretty impressive actually. Cost? Not overall cheaper but quality and competitive.🤷♂️ We’re leaning towards a Unity over other similar prefabs.
@@devoidreality7252
Yeah I definitely see the quality here. Thanks
If it weren't for traditional stick builder's ability to muscle trades and labor over pricing (ie... if all builders paid everybody as well as these guys) it would be way closer to competitive. The days of muscling may be coming to an end as I type, though.
When carrying costs rise these get more competitive.
The increased value/quality proposition is hard to quantify, but real.
I don't think it's even fair to expect these to be better and cheaper. If the idiotic way really costs what it does, and it does, and since there's no real way to keep the license holder builder from pocketing every penny he muscled out of the work force that the appraisal allows, nothing about housing is going to get cheaper.
This way is the only way to even control the upward lurches of housing costs, imho.
Those wall beams should have some of the web removed and run the electrical through those openings. This way, its not so close to the interior walls suseptable to damage from nails and screws and what not. Personally I would like to see it run in some conduit but thats just me living in Chicago. Removing some of the web from wall framing will also reduce the thermal bridging especially if spray foam is used but even still if other insulation is used.
Spray foam? Killing the character of the ecological idea inherent to those type of house…i guess
super interesting
nice
so cool
I love the channel and love the technology BUT WHERE ARE PEOPLE? Where does discarded shrink wrap go? Does the company’s taxes pay for the UNemployed? Let’s see….lower production costs, higher quality--sounds like lots of $$ for “someone.”😮
Many countries in europe have factories like this.
$100 per sq ft. Hmmm. It is great that it all engineered to work together.
Let's goooooooo
Interesting concept in efficent home building similar to to Henry Ford's assembly line idea.
But the video didn't need to be this long if Nick Schiffer would have stopped repeating everything the plant manager was saying.
Thanks D B. Glad you still watched it.
Great content. Please buy a gimble for the camera. Dizzying video.
back in englad in 1955 the whole town wos prefabs life then wos really good? now life is just shit
What. I'm seeing here is way too much vertical mulch. If that crap gets wet, game over.
Why do you think it would get wet and be game over?
I was thinking the same thing… not saying it’s bad but I just don’t want my house built with mostly wood chips glued together. I’m sure it’s fine, just my preference
this is not the future building out of wood and all the thermal bridging ids BS
l dont know why you ask me, l know nothing of this...................
Really nothing new here.
Toll bros had their own factory for building wall panels, roof trusses etc at their Morrisville Pa facility back in the 70s.
And there were other companies offering that service much earlier than that.
In the late 60s I built a new model home which was an 1800 sq ft split level in one day from the finish foundation walls.
The floor system, all the walls, and roof were completed in one day.
No doubt improvements have been made in the system as has everything else.
But again, nothing new as for the system itself.
Over kill by the hundredth degree.
Care to elaborate?
@@NSBuilders Your type of construction is trying to get the highest R value. At some point the cost out weights the savings. A higher efficient HVAC would serve you better at a much lower cost.
@@JB-ej2qy you check energy prices lately? or the 20 year increase? You know the price of everything and value of nothing.
@@jeffreymerkeley4526 Im not saying don't be energy efficient. I'm saying there is a better way. Boilers/radiant heat are extremely efficient or Geothermal is extremely efficient cooling.