Residential FAQs - Prebuilt

What is the average time for a custom double storey modular home to be completed?

Once the building contract is signed, our custom homes will take approximately 14 -16 weeks to complete in our factory.

Can I modify a pre-designed home to be double storey?

Absolutely, our pre-designed prefab homes are a great starting point and can be modified into a custom solution tailored to your brief. Our architect partners can amend a pre-existing design to go double-storey.

Do you offer double storey modular homes all across Australia?

Prebuilt is proud to offer custom modular solutions with a focus on delivery across Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.

Should I consider a duplex modular home?

For investors and owner occupiers alike, knocking down a single dwelling on one block and rebuilding multiple homes via dual occupancy means you outlay costs for one block of land but sell multiple dwellings, increasing your potential profits.

What type of duplex options are available?

We specialise in side-by-side duplex and townhouse dual occupancy home building projects. The perfect solution for expanding families or developers alike.

What is the average time for a custom modular home to be completed?

Once the building contract is signed, our custom homes will take approximately 14 -16 weeks to complete in our factory.

Can I modify a pre-designed home to be a duplex home?

Unfortunately our pre-designed homes are stand alone dwellings only. It is best to work through your brief and budget with our team to define a solution. Our architects will then create a unique custom design that suits your site, brief and budget.

What is a duplex modular home?

Duplex modular homes include two separate living units or townhouses attached side by side, each functioning as an independent home. These homes are prefabricated in modules off-site in our Kilsyth factory, then transported to the final location for assembly and installation.

Do you offer duplex modular homes all across Australia?

Prebuilt is proud to offer custom modular solutions with a focus on delivery across Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.

How do I get in touch for an initial consultation?

Get in touch with our friendly team by filling out the form above or calling us directly on 9761 5544. We can talk you through the process, how we work and show you other custom designed homes we have delivered.

Does Prebuilt comply with bushfire regulations?

Yes, Prebuilt often designs and builds for bushfire prone areas. Our pre-designed homes are built to comply with a BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) rating of 19. For BAL ratings of 29 and 40, we can modify the design or select alternative claddings and materials.

Do your homes suit sloping sites?

Yes. We’ve installed many homes on sloping sites using a range of footing systems. Our design process ensures that any slope on your site is given careful consideration.

Can I modify a pre-designed home?

Our partner architect, Pleysier Perkins, can work with you on minor modifications to our pre-designed range. Our friendly sales team is happy to talk to you about this process.

Can I create a custom design?

Of course. We’re very mindful that all sites and requirements are unique. Our collaboration with our architect partner enables us to create a bespoke home. We work alongside Pleysier Perkins to ensure they’re aware of your goals, budget and design direction.

Why does Prebuilt use an external architectural firm for its building designs?

Prebuilt is a specialist modular builder and manufacturer. Our focus is on delivering innovative construction for resolved architectural designs. We believe that great architecture comes from a focused team of professionals unconstrained by managing a construction company.

What are your standard ceiling heights?

Our standard ceiling heights are 2.7m for our Mod range and 2.55m for our Eve range. The Habitat and Breeze homes both have ceilings raking to 3.4m. Our custom homes can have either 2.7m or 3m ceilings.

Is there a range of finishes to choose from?

Yes. We’re proud to offer resolved finishes as the starting point in all our pre-designed homes. Our process allows you to adjust your selections to ensure the outcome is exactly as you envisaged. Our interior design team can provide expert advice along the way.

Do you have standard inclusions?

Yes, we do. Each pre-designed range has a comprehensive standard inclusions package. Please contact our sales team for the specifications.

Do you include heating and cooling?

Yes. We typically price heating and cooling options on an individual basis to suit your site and personal requirements. Air conditioning systems, open fireplaces, potbelly stoves, gas fires and hydronic heating are all available. We’ll work with you to determine the most suitable energy solution for your project.

Do you consider landscaping in the design?

Landscaping plays a significant role in the overall appearance and operation of any home. We believe the balance between internal and external spaces is critical and plays a major role in the way we live. Our partner architects Pleysier Perkins will consider your landscaping in the overall design during your concept design phase. We also collaborate with several reputable landscape designers we trust to create beautiful concepts to suit your site.

Do you build modular duplexes?

Yes. Our architect partners at Pleysier Perkins can design a modular duplex to suit your needs.

Can I add more modules to my home in the future?

You certainly can. The flexibility of our modular design process ensures we can comfortably add to your home at a later date.

Do you do extensions?

Sorry, no. We only take on extension projects if they connect to an existing Prebuilt home.

Do you build kit homes?

No, Prebuilt homes are not kit homes. We are specialists in volumetric construction, delivering a near-complete building to your site.

Do you complete the connection of services?

Yes. Once your Prebuilt home is installed, it’s ready for service connections. You can engage local trades to carry out this work on your behalf, or Prebuilt can be engaged to provide this service for you.

Do I need to hire a local builder to complete the process, or do you take care of this?

Prebuilt can complete on-site works as a part of our scope, depending on your location. Alternatively, we can work with a local builder to assist with the overall project delivery.

How do Prebuilt homes compare to a traditional on-site build?

We’re proud to lead the way in prefab building. While traditional architectural design and on-site builds can take two to three years, our timeframes are significantly reduced. Our costs are lower than a traditionally built architectural home, as we build in a controlled environment.

Do you build on a concrete slab?

No. All Prebuilt homes are constructed with a steel base frame, so there is no need for concrete.

Can you build off-grid homes?

Yes. Take a look at our SkyPods project in Cape Otway, which operates entirely off-grid. We can tailor a solution to build 100% off-grid homes or include off-grid elements in your home. Self-sustaining features include large rainwater tanks, solar power, Tesla battery storage and generators (if required), all of which ensure your home has a minimal impact on the environment.

Will I need a septic tank?

If you have a remote site, not on town sewerage, you will likely require a septic tank. In this case, you will need to commission an LCA (Land Capability Assessment) and find out your local council requirements. We recommend engaging a local plumber to help you through this process.

What is an LCA?

An LCA is a Land Capability Assessment. A Geotechinal Engineer will need to perform this assessment, determining viability of onsite wastewater management where there are no sewerage connections.

Where are Prebuilt modules made?

All of our modules are built in our facility in Kilsyth. The owners of Prebuilt saw the benefit of having a purpose-built facility entirely dedicated to the efficient manufacture of prefabricated buildings. We welcome you to book a tour of our factory, offices and display home.

Can I install solar?

Yes, solar panels can be fitted to your new home. They are a fantastic way of reducing your footprint and fossil fuel consumption, not to mention the long term power bill savings.

Will my Prebuilt home achieve minimum energy ratings?

Prebuilt homes comply with a minimum 6-Star rating. If you aspire to reach an even higher rating, we’re happy to help you achieve it. Our designs can reach 7 to 8-Star ratings and be entirely off-grid if required. (Please note, energy ratings are subject to individual site orientations and client preferences.)

Where do you build?

Prebuilt is fully licensed with the respective building authorities in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania.

Is there a size limit on transport?

Our modules vary in size; however, we find that an efficient module size is 16m (length) x 5m (width). Please speak to our sales team about whether your site is suitable for a modular build.

Can Prebuilt ship internationally?

Unfortunately at this stage we cannot ship internationally.

Does Prebuilt service remote locations?

We love working in various environments, including urban, rural, coastal, alpine and remote locations, provided your site is in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia or Tasmania, and our trucks can achieve adequate access to your site.

How do I know if I can get a modular home onto my property?

Our sales consultants are happy to assist with a preliminary review of your site. Our transport team will also complete a paid site visit to confirm module sizing.

Do you have a display home?

Yes, our display home is at our facility in Kilsyth. Please call or email us to arrange an appointment with one of our friendly staff.

Does the site need to be prepared?

Yes. We will advise on site preparation as the concept design develops, and this varies from project to project. We generally work with an engineered mega anchor footing or a screw pile that provides a non-invasive footing system. If demolition or excavation is required before the footings are installed, you can engage local trades to carry out this work on your behalf, or Prebuilt can be engaged to provide this service for you.

What is the construction and installation time of my project?

The average construction time in the factory for a Prebuilt home is around 12 to 14 weeks. The installation typically takes one day, and between two and four weeks to finish on site. Timeframes vary depending on the complexity of the project and site access. Our team will provide an accurate timeframe for your project.

Is a crane required for installation?

Yes. All projects require a crane for installation.

What is the cost of a crane?

If a crane is required, Prebuilt will assess this cost early in the process. The cost will depend on the ease of access to the site and the complexity of the installation. It may vary from around $8000 for a straightforward lift to about $25000 for a more complicated transferal.

What is the cost of transportation?

Transport within 100km of our Kilsyth facility is included in our standard inclusions for a readily accessible flat site that only requires a jack unload. Our sales team can provide transport estimates for sites further away.

What type of warranties and guarantees does Prebuilt provide?

Prebuilt uses a Home Industry Australia (HIA) contract, which is an industry-standard document. All homes come with a six-year Home Owners Warranty.

Can Prebuilt assist with obtaining finance?

If securing finance is proving difficult, we can work with you and your financial provider to assist with this process.

What permits do I need?

Your local council will advise whether or not you need a planning permit. They will consider heritage factors, the size of your block, the building envelope, and the size of the modular home you are planning to build. Your building permit documentation will be arranged by Prebuilt using an independent building surveyor. We will also arrange the energy report and any other project-specific reports through external consultants.

What happens if I need town planning?

Prebuilt recommends that a professional town planning consultant be appointed at the early stage of your project to ensure that the concept design meets your council’s requirements. Following the signing of our preliminary agreement, Prebuilt will provide the town planning drawing package for you or your planning consultant to submit to the council.

Can Prebuilt project manage all facets of the project?

The Prebuilt process has been streamlined to ensure our team is doing what we do best. We will carry out and manage the design and the build of your project. Some clients engage local trades for on-site works, such as service connections and earthwork. We’re happy for our clients to engage these trades directly, or we can manage these works if a turnkey solution is preferred.

Do I need a soil report?

Yes. The soil report will determine the subsurface soils and, in turn, the footing design required. Prebuilt can assist you to obtain this report.

Frequently Asked Questions