Over the last few years, prefabricated (or prefab) houses have become popular, especially among seniors. During retirement years, taking care of a traditional house can be quite challenging, especially in financial aspects. Prefab houses are factory-made units that help ease the financial burden, standing out as a great downsizing option for retirees. With thoughtful planning and consideration of a few key factors, prefabricated houses can be a reliable option for seniors.

Advantages of prefabricated houses for seniors

Affordability
Prefab homes have one obvious advantage over traditional houses, which is that they are much more affordable than the latter. Unlike traditional homes, prefab units are made in bulk, in factories.

Easy customizations
One of the biggest advantages of prefab houses is that they allow buyers to design the units as per their requirements and preferences. One can select a basic layout (the number of bedrooms, the square footage, etc.) and proceed to customize the house.

Energy efficiency
A prefab home can help seniors save money in more ways than one. Apart from having a lower purchase cost than traditional houses, prefab houses also generate lower electricity bills. This is because prefab homes are designed with advanced insulation technologies. They feature an air-tight construction along with windows made of energy-efficient materials. Together, these features prevent over usage of heating and air-conditioning systems, helping save a lot on utility bills.

Single point of contact
The purchase and construction of a new house usually requires one to coordinate with multiple points of contact. For instance, one usually needs to be in touch with the architect, contractor, interior designer, as well as vendors for plumbing and utilities when building a new house. Managing communication with multiple people can be quite challenging, especially for seniors. But this hassle can be prevented in the case of prefab houses as these are completely designed by a single company that also manages the different aspects of the house, such as interiors, utilities, etc. These companies assign just one or two individuals as points of contact for the buyer, which then makes communication a lot easier for both parties.

Exceptional quality
Prefab houses are made with strict construction guidelines, which ensure that all safety guidelines are followed. Moreover, to ensure that the construction of the prefab units is consistent and defect-free, they are examined by the Quality Association of German Prefabricated Construction (Qualitätsgemeinschaft Deutscher Fertigbau).

Quick construction
Since prefab homes are not built on the site, but rather in a factory, their construction is a lot quicker than that of traditional houses. Plus, unlike on-site construction, the manufacturing of prefab homes is not really affected by harsh weather conditions, which further adds to their quick completion. In fact, based on the layout of the house, its construction can be completed in a matter of weeks. This can be especially advantageous to seniors who need to quickly move to a new residential unit.

Cost of prefab houses
The cost of a prefab home depends on several factors. Some of the most common ones include the size and layout of the house (more specifically, the number of bedrooms), the materials used, and the level of interior finishing. Along with that, it also depends on individual construction companies, with the renowned ones usually charging more. But in usual cases, the cost of a prefab house for seniors can start from somewhere around €100,000.

Factors to consider when choosing a prefab house for seniors

The land or plot
Before buying a prefab home, one of the most important factors that seniors need to consider is the ownership of land or a plot. This is because, unlike regular houses, prefab units do not come with land. So, in order to have a prefab house, one would first need to have land that is big enough to accommodate the unit. Along with that, seniors would also need to get the required permits from the authorities before getting the unit installed.

The company’s reliability
There are quite a few companies that sell and construct prefab homes. So, before choosing a company, it is important for seniors to do their due diligence and read about the top companies. This will help them ensure that they are picking a reliable company for their new residential unit.

Safety features
When ordering or purchasing a new prefab house, seniors would also need to make sure that the unit has some much-needed safety features. This would include anti-slip materials on the floors – especially the bathroom, safety rails along the hallways, etc. If the units do not already come with the said features, seniors would need to request them for their convenience.