Last week at the Offsite Expo 2025, our Director of Engineering, Steve Hawes, joined the panel discussion “Implementation of Offsite – From Policy to Practice” to shine a light on a crucial but often overlooked part of modular delivery: designing for installation.
While offsite manufacture is often promoted as “faster, fully finished, and plug-and-play”, the reality on site can be more complex. Steve’s talk focused on bridging that gap, ensuring that the benefits of factory precision translate seamlessly into real-world results.
Key Insights from the Session:
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Design for Installation
Every design decision should consider how modules will be installed on site. If something can be completed in the factory, it should be… from services and fitted furniture to finishes and façades. This reduces risk, improves quality, and speeds up delivery. -
Transport & Lifting Strategy
Success starts before modules even reach site. Planning for crane location, access, transport restrictions, and module sequencing avoids costly delays and ensures smooth installation. -
Clear Roles & Responsibilities
Who owns each step of the on-site process? A clear responsibility matrix, robust QA standards, and well-defined “battery limits” between teams are essential for efficiency and compliance. -
The Power of an Installation Manual
A comprehensive step-by-step guide is not just a tool for site teams, it provides compliance evidence, supports tendering, and even enables disassembly and reuse in the future. -
Continuous Learning
From crane logistics to bolt selection, every project offers opportunities to refine processes. Capturing lessons learned is vital for driving innovation and future success.
Why It Matters
By focusing on design for installation and the often under-discussed on-site considerations, Steve highlighted how we can unlock the true potential of offsite construction:
- Faster, more predictable programmes
- Higher quality outcomes
- Reduced carbon impact
- Greater confidence for clients, investors, and end users
At Stelling Properties, we combine our in-house modular expertise with a flexible, client-first approach to deliver projects that are not only factory-perfect, but also seamlessly implemented on site.
Couldn’t make it to the session at the Offsite Expo? Get in touch to learn more about our modular solutions for vast sectors it would benefit.
