Client Spotlight: Manufactured Homes by FABPREFAB

By Annabelle Williams

Manufactured homes, once synonymous with basic and uninspiring designs, have undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Today, these prefabricated dwellings represent a contemporary and cost effective housing alternative, thanks to innovators like FABPREFAB. As the demand for affordable housing options rise, the demand for prefabricated homes becomes increasingly popular.

With an increase in demand, comes a need for understanding the Planning tools required to get a manufactured structure approved as seamlessly as possible – which is why Approved values the relationship we have formed with FABPREFAB, to assist in their approvals getting across the line and nailing a manufactured home application in the current and upcoming housing climates.

Established in 2016, FABPREFAB is an Australian-owned prefabricated and modular construction company that collaborates with leading Architects and Engineers to create architecturally designed, structurally excellent and increasingly sustainable homes. Located on the NSW Central Coast, they offer a range of luxurious designs that can be utilised in various ways on the development site, from studios to granny flats, short term accommodation and for tourism purposes, and or as a primary dwelling.

Benefits of Manufactured Homes

Manufactured homes are considered an alternative to the conventional construction process of a mainstream dwelling or kit home. In the current housing climate – this construction alternative is paired with a contemporary design and structural excellence on your development site.

Unlike traditional kit homes, FABPREFAB homes are assembled entirely in the Somersby Warehouse, delivered and installed on the site then fixed to foundations, reducing additional construction costs and tackling the challenge of locating a trusted builder to piece the home together on site. FABPREFAB ensures this is one less thing you need to organise yourself.

In summary; off-site construction, as exemplified by FABPREFAB, offers several advantages over traditional on-site building:

• Faster Construction: Factory-based assembly eliminates weather-related delays and speeds up the construction process.

• Quality Control: Rigorous quality control measures are in place to ensure every component meets the highest standards.

• Reduced Environmental Impact: Minimal on-site disturbances mean less noise and waste pollution, making it an eco-conscious choice.

• Trusted Assembly: Homes are assembled and fixed to their foundations, eliminating the need to find a separate builder for on-site construction.

What about sustainability and cost effectiveness?

FABPREFAB is an upcoming example of how the underlying concepts of low maintenance, sustainability, and cost effectiveness come into practice to create a design that is reshaping and leading the way we envision manufactured homes in Australia. With off site construction, comes additional Planning provisions that need to be met to ensure energy and efficiency requirements, structural adequacy, installation guidelines, engineering requirements, and Australian Standards – all the while complying with your relevant Councils Environmental Planning Instrument’s (EPI’s) and Development Control Plan (DCP) full of requirements to do with building height, setbacks and more.

Approved Town Planners are responsible for preparing the application, working, and collaborating with external industry consultants and local Council’s to get your Development Application (DA) across the line and facilitate your dreams into realities.

So how does Approved ensure a streamlined approval process for FABPREFAB and an owner wanting to install a pre-manufactured structure?

When submitting an application via your local Council as the Consent Authority, DA approval is required as well as a Section 68 Approval under the Local Government (LG) Act 1993 according to the requirements of Division 4 of the Local Government (Manufactured Home Estates, Caravan Parks, Camping Grounds and Moveable Dwellings) Regulation 2021.

For a manufactured home to be approved, there are various requirements that need to be met, including but not limited to compliance with the relevant Environmental Planning Instruments (EPI’s) applicable to your land and the Local Government (Manufactured Home Estates, Caravan Parks, Camping Grounds and Moveable Dwellings) Regulation 2021 which contain differing provisions and development clauses and controls. Both the DA and LG applications work synonymously, but may have different development requirements that can impact where the structure is placed on your land, and how it is installed.

Approved reviews the applicable legislation and can provide you with preliminary advice to ensure both application processes are as quick, and easy as possible in achieving an approval. After providing the preliminary advice, we can begin preparing your applications. So you don’t have to, we manage both the DA and LG applications and any additional council requirements or amendments that come with it.

Need more information?

Determining whether your site permits a manufactured home can be complex, given the various categories, including secondary dwellings, primary dwellings, and studios. It's best to consult with experts like Approved to assess your site's permissibility and explore your options.

Manufactured homes have evolved into modern, sustainable, and architecturally designed dwellings. The approval process may be intricate, but with the guidance of professionals like Approved, you can embark on your journey to owning a relocatable home that meets contemporary design standards while offering a streamlined and eco-friendly construction process.

Contact Approved today and embrace the new wave of housing in NSW!

‍