The price of construction materials is unstable in today's economy. Saving money is a must, but quality and safety need to come first. Prefabricated electrical construction is a safe, efficient, and affordable way to protect your project timeline, reduce risk and increase quality.
To learn more about prefabrication in electrical construction, the benefits, and what you can expect from the process, continue reading.
What is Prefabrication in Electrical Construction?
Prefabrication in electrical construction, or electrical prefab, uses building information modeling (BIM) to uncover opportunities for the assembly of electrical components to be done off-site in the controlled environment of prefabrication workshop. Assemblies are then transported on-demand, directly to the job site exactly where and when they are needed. Electrical assemblies can be prefabricated for use in new construction and remodeling projects.
Learn more about Lemberg’s prefabrication construction capabilities now.
What Are the Benefits of Prefab Construction?
There are many inherent benefits to prefabricated electrical construction. It is best to involve an electrical contractor as early as possible in order to uncover the most efficient opportunities for prefabrication. Offering prefabrication services opens the door for Lemberg’s customers to gain more success in their projects.
As a customer, the benefits you can expect from electrical prefabrication services include:
- Better coordination between trades on the jobsite. Through Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) services and BIM technology, the plans for all trades can be layered to create a 3D virtual image of a project. From this, overlaps and issues can be solved before any work gets underway.
- Job sites are leaner and safer. When prefab construction is part of your project plan, job sites are less congested with simultaneous work. With less congestion, job sites are safer. This lean approach is a major benefit to customers and the overall construction process.
- Improved and standardized quality of assemblies. Assemblies of all sizes and complexity, as well as those created in coordination with other trades, are crafted in the controlled environment of a prefabrication facility. Electricians can create assemblies without the weather-related stress or jobsite congestion.
- Reduction of environmental impact through less construction waste. Waste from prefabrication can be reduced and recycled more easily in an off-site setting.
- Protect project timelines. With electrical prefabrication, timelines are more efficient, more consistent and more reliable than traditional builds. Work is completed off-site in a dedicated facility. There is less risk from overlap, congestion or weather-related issues. Timelines are predictable and protected from significant delays.
What is the Electrical Prefabrication Process?
Electrical prefab construction involves many steps that begin in the design phase and continue through to project delivery. Lemberg works with customers, architects, designers, developers, builders, and contractors to create a plan that is proactive and efficient.
- Design and Preconstruction Phase. Virtual Design and Construction techniques and BIM technology help uncover unique prefabrication opportunities in the preconstruction phase. All aspects of the construction are considered, from the job needs, site space, logistics, design, trade overlap, and much more.
- Design Review. All layers of the project are visible virtually using advanced BIM technology, making the design review and project timelines easy to see and discuss.
- Installation Planning. The same process that uncovers prefabrication opportunities informs the installation planning process. This information allows project managers and foremen to breakdown and schedule tactical work with precision. It is useful to prevent issues with installation, manpower, and electrical designs.
- Prefabrication Assembly. Every piece of the project is assembled in a controlled environment, ensuring quality. Costs and timeline are controlled. Waste and recycling are easier. Jobsites remain lean and efficient.
- Delivery. Assemblies are packaged and labeled in the manufacturing facility and delivered on-demand, directly to the installation point.
- Installation Monitoring: Installation of assemblies is done efficiently with great standardization, resulting in repeatable quality product. The installation process and general jobsite productivity are measured, and adjustments made in real-time through agile construction project management efforts.
Electrical Prefabrication Case Study
Prefab electrical construction is becoming standard practice for renovations and new construction for buildings of all sizes and complexities.
Lemberg has uncovered prefabrication opportunities for large projects in the healthcare and multiunit/multipurpose residential community or industrial industries, as well as for smaller projects such as religious or education institutions. Lemberg recently worked with Elmbrook Church, a large megachurch with over 6000 congregants each week, to provide a new fire alarm system.
Prefabrication was a great option for this project because of the project size, the number of buildings included, and the fact that it needed to be completed with limited interruptions while church, summer school, and summer camps took place.
Using prefabricated electrical construction, the project went smoothly because:
- Electricians applied their expertise to devise a system for safer and easier installation and future servicing, based on pre-project conversations and on-site evaluations with the customer.
- Timelines were outlined at the outset and matched the needs of the client.
- Prefabricated materials were created off-site, reducing noise and distractions for students and members on-site, ensuring product quality.
Assemblies for elevated locations were prefabricated for safer initial installation. Installations of the new solutions were quick and least invasive to the customer’s daily activities.
The ability to forecast and anticipate the project requirements using prefab construction made this project successful. Learn more about the details of this project now.
Why Choose Lemberg?
Lemberg is a full-service electrical, design-build, and prefab electrical construction contractor serving Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin. We are proud to work with residential, commercial, and industrial clients on electrical construction, data communications, business signs, energy technologies, design-build construction, and more. Learn more about Lemberg now.
If you’re considering a prefab construction and have any questions, please Contact Us today or Request A Quote to learn more about how we can help you with your next construction project.