Modern Methods of Construction – A Scalable Way Forward

The UK needs more buildings, but there’s less space to work with than on the continent, alongside skills shortages in the construction sector. So, what do we do? Offsite construction methods offer a way to build high-quality properties, quickly.

27.02.2025

By Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical, Building Solutions at REHAU UK

The swift integration of panels and modules within a controlled environment is key to offsite construction’s enduring appeal, providing specifiers and contractors with optimised, scalable and replicable installation processes. Yet reports of subpar components causing plumbing leaks and insulation breakdowns has dented developer and M&E contractor confidence in modern methods of construction (MMC). These concerns can be resolved, with MMC – the rapid construction of high-quality properties – remains attractive, especially considering escalating demand for buildings in densely populated urban areas.

Projects in these areas are frequently constrained by a lack of space. Building upwards may present a possible solution, but cramped site conditions can compromise quality control. This is further exacerbated by continued skills shortages in the construction sector. For example, data from the Office of National Statistics suggests the industry faces the second-highest workforce shortages in the UK, with 16% of sector businesses reporting a lack of skilled labour.[1]

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Intriguing Possibilities

Considering these challenges, MMC methods can offer intriguing possibilities for developers and M&E contractors, especially when considered alongside housebuilding targets. The Government is hoping to supercharge residential construction through actions including the launch of the National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024, which requires councils to provide roadmaps for constructing 370,000 homes annually or have plans forced upon them. A significant scaling up is required if the sector is to achieve these targets, and the growing demand from the commercial sector for new student accommodations and hotels.
Addressing these concerns, REHAU published an informative guide, ‘Offsite Trends in Building Services’. Exploring MMC's role in alleviating construction pressures, the guide sheds light on offsite’ construction’s potential and building services solutions developed by REHAU to facilitate swifter project completion. To that end, the guide also seeks to enhance awareness among developers and M&E contractors of MMC technologies and underscore the impact of these innovative solutions on industry best practice.

Trends and Developments

Yet MMC itself is not new. Offsite construction is a rapidly evolving and expanding sector encompassing various installation approaches beyond the offsite sub-assembly method most popular in the UK. The guide therefore looks further afield and explores more MMC methods. Indeed, in Europe, where offsite construction is well-established, innovation has continued apace with products and practices becoming more refined over time.

For instance, the ability to integrate building information modelling data with bills of materials in MMC projects offers project stakeholders the opportunity to streamline processes, enhance quality control, and ensure the availability of key components. Work conducted this way within a controlled environment can reduce material waste by up to 90% while also reducing on-site noise and the possibility of tool loss. As a result, durable, energy-efficient properties can be built at scale in cost-effective fashion even with skills shortages continuing to affect the sector.

Methods of Installation

Different installation methods are also detailed within the guide. Of these, volumetric and panel construction approaches, and the hybrid modular method combining the two, stand out. Volumetric construction, which involves fabricating entire three-dimensional elements like bathrooms offsite complete with plumbing and components for installation within a superstructure, will undoubtedly be of interest to building and construction professionals. Panel construction, which entails manufacturing wall or roof modules offsite as flat panels with plumbing and heating installation on-site, can provide another way forward.

These methods will likely grow in popularity as demand for new buildings increases, allowing developers and M&E contractors to construct high-quality properties swiftly and effectively. Emerging methods such as timber-concrete hybrid construction are also detailed in the guide, and can also help project stakeholders meet increasingly prominent sustainability requirements. By replacing precast concrete panels with timber composites, construction becomes faster and less carbon intensive.

Staying Updated on Advances

The practices and technologies available demonstrate that offsite construction is an expansive field. Collaborating with third-party experts such as REHAU is therefore essential if developers and M&E contractors are to remain updated on current MMC solutions and future advancements.

For example, trends such as the growing adoption of modular shafts offer new avenues for delivering mechanical services into prefabricated units efficiently. Further possibilities can be found in the risers used on offsite projects to facilitate the delivery of mechanical services to modules and units. These components, which have traditionally been made of copper and steel, are now available in newer materials such as fiber-reinforced PP-R, which is available in larger riser sizes that are easier to transport. Additionally, these components can be prefabricated and tested offsite for greater assurances over performance.

Moreover, the introduction of integrable, customisable frames into offsite bathroom builds has streamlined construction future maintenance property maintenance. REHAU's acquisition of MEPA underscores its commitment to providing comprehensive MMC solutions in this area, including easy-to-install sanitaryware.

Streamlining utility cupboards in MMC projects also opens up more avenues for efficiency. These spaces can house modular plumbing components, simplifying maintenance and reducing plumbing fittings. REHAU's Smart Manifold exemplifies this, offering a scalable, manifold-based plumbing solution that significantly reduces the number of required plumbing fittings and offers a single point of isolation.

In conclusion, the sector’s overall goal remains the same – delivering high-quality builds swiftly. MMC emerges as an appealing way to achieving this objective amidst industry pressures. Collaboration with expert suppliers including REHAU is instrumental in ensuring projects are completed seamlessly and to a high quality. By embracing innovation alongside trusted partners, contractors and developers can make this goal a reality.

[1] https://scaffmag.com/2025/01/construction-industry-faces-second-highest-workforce-shortage-in-the-uk/

[2] https://news.sky.com/story/government-demands-immediate-mandatory-housing-plans-from-councils-to-build-1-5m-homes-13271785