Non-Site Built Single-Family Completions Continued to Languish in 2021

According to the US Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction data, with additional analysis provided by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the total market share of non-site built single-family homes—both modular and panelized—in 2021 was at 2% of all single-family completions. The report notes that in spite of high levels of interest in non-site-built construction, the share has been gradually declining since the early 2000’s.

In 2021, there was a total of 24,000 single-family units built using modular (10,000) and panelized/precut (14,000) construction methods, out of a total of 970,000 total single-family homes completed. While the market share is small, the potential for growth clearly exists. The NAHB points out that in 1998, 7% of single-family completions were modular (4%) or panelized (3%).

Approximately 1% of multifamily buildings (properties, not units) were bult using either modular or panelized methods. Just like in single-family construction, the market share of multifamily is anticipated to grow, but thus far the expected gains have failed to materialize due to various industry constraints. In 2000 and again in 2011, 5% of multifamily building were constructed with either modular (1%) or panelized (4%) construction methods.