Prefabrication in Practice: What We’re Seeing Across the Industry:
Prefabrication is no longer a forward-thinking concept. It’s already a key part of how many consultancies and contractors are delivering projects, especially where MEP systems are complex, deadlines are tight, and sustainability targets need to be met. Across the UK, prefabrication is now being considered in the early stages of around 60 to 70 percent of large new builds that involve heavy services. This might not mean full DfMA, but partial use is becoming standard. We’re seeing riser modules, corridor services, plantrooms, and pod assemblies used as part of a more efficient delivery strategy. The shift is largely being driven by cost pressure, risk management, and compliance. With material prices rising and skilled labour in short supply, clients are demanding more control and less waste. Prefab gives them that. It allows for early coordination, better sequencing, and more predictable programme delivery.
Quality is another key factor. Offsite conditions allow for repeatable, tightly controlled outputs that reduce error rates and speed up install on-site. This is especially valuable on projects with high specification requirements or those working within live environments. There’s also a sustainability edge. Reduced deliveries, lower waste, and controlled material use are helping project teams align with ESG frameworks, as well as BREEAM and WELL certification targets. Design teams are playing a bigger role in this shift. Where consultants design with prefabrication in mind from Stage 3 onwards, the benefits are significant. When they don’t, it becomes harder to justify at contractor level.
The direction is clear. Prefabrication is not about future innovation. It’s already here. And the best-performing teams are designing with it from day one.