A builder who
gets design.
Rooted in design.
Plant started as a residential design studio, collaborating with Ray Kappe, KieranTimberlake, and other leaders in the field to design and build homes more efficiently. We worked with ten different prefabricators, struggling to find one who met our standards for design integrity, quality, and sustainability.
We founded Plant Prefab as a solution. Our patented Plant Building System™ and factory were designed specifically for custom, architectural projects, empowering us to efficiently and precisely prefabricate unique designs.
Dependable quality and time savings.
Our factory processes offer exacting quality standards that are more akin to manufacturing than construction. Advanced engineering exposes any design or structural issues before production, and we build indoors, with all trades in-house. Construction occurs in tandem with site work and inspections are conducted right in our factory. Your client gets a reliable schedule that’s 20-50% faster than on-site construction.
Expert guidance.
We developed guidelines to explain our processes and orient you to basic prefab design principles. Be sure to send us your project details and plans (ideally at a schematic level) so we can help you optimize your design for prefab.
We also created a one-hour, AIA-accredited course that covers key topics like approvals, design considerations, and criteria for evaluating project fit for prefabrication. The course is free and qualifies for continuing education credit.
Here’s the full process.
Bid & Feasibility
Project Bid
You’ll share your client’s project and we’ll prepare a rough order of magnitude (ROM) bid that specifies anticipated costs, inclusions, and exclusions.
Time: 1 - 2 weeks
Initial Design Review
You’ll share your plans and we’ll make sure they can be prefabricated at Plant. Our design studio will give you a sense for what kind of changes may be required, if any, to make your design more modular-friendly.
If you haven’t yet reviewed our design guidelines for architects, this is a great time to do so.
Time: 1 - 2 weeks
Land Feasibility
We will evaluate your client’s lot, and the route from our factory to the lot, to make sure it’s feasible to deliver and install prefabricated components. In general, if a foundation can be engineered, we can install prefabricated modules on it. However, impediments like overhanging trees and power lines, low bridges, narrow roads, severe curves, and steep slopes along the route will determine what we can build and deliver. We'll give you a full report and discuss our recommendations.
Time: 2 weeks
Design & Engineering
Design
If you’ve already completed the design, we’ll work with you on any changes that may be required to make it more efficient for prefabrication. Ideally, you connect with us before your plans have been engineered, as the requirements for offsite construction vary from those for site-built projects.
If you’re still developing the design, we’ll help you optimize it for prefabrication and weigh in on the most cost-effective, healthy, and sustainable options for finishes, fixtures, and other materials.
Time: 12 - 16 weeks
Engineering & Permitting
Engineering and permitting for the house modules are governed by state authorities. Engineering and permitting for the foundation and site work is governed by local authorities.
You (or your client’s general contractor) will coordinate engineering and permitting. Plant can support you by recommending engineers who are experienced in prefabricated construction.
Time: Varies by jurisdiction
Pre-Construction Agreement
Pre-Construction
This is when you and your client finalize finish specifications, and when we work with you and/or your client to determine the scope of work between Plant and your client’s site general contractor. Based on our decisions, we finalize pricing for the production. This is also when we collate and submit the engineered drawings for the modules to state authorities for permitting.
Time: 8 - 16 weeks
Fabrication & Site Work
Fabrication
Your client’s project is built in our indoor facility by our highly-skilled, full-time tradespeople, following precisely engineered plans. Our rigorous quality control program ensures superior craftsmanship, and our environmental health and sustainability standards minimize toxins and waste.
Production happens in parallel with site work, shaving months off the project timeline. And, all required inspections are completed in Plant’s factory, so we’re able to deliver your client’s project with the walls sealed and finishes installed!
You and your client are invited to tour the project in production.
Time: 8 - 16 weeks
Site Work and Foundation
Plant does not perform site work, but we collaborate with your client’s site general contractor on the preparation of their lot and foundation. We provide direction, answer questions, and work swiftly to resolve any issues, maintaining oversight and quality control of the entire process.
Time: 8 - 16 weeks
Installation to Move-In
Delivery & Installation
Your client’s general contractor will select a transportation company and schedule delivery of the modules. Plant can introduce the general contractor to recommended transportation providers if needed. The transportation company will secure any necessary permits (for things like police escorts, road closures, or parking), and truck the modules from Plant’s factory to the job site.
Then for the fun part! Installation is when the modules and other prefabricated components that comprise the home are assembled on-site. A crane is used to lift the modules off the truck and then lower them onto the prepared foundation, where they are bolted together. Depending on the size and complexity of the design, most projects are fully assembled in a matter of hours. (Really.) It’s cool to watch, and you’re invited to spectate! Here’s a video that shows the process.
Time: 1 - 2 days
Finish Work
Once the building is assembled, your client’s general contractor will connect the water, sewer, electric, and appliances, and apply the finishing touches (like exterior siding where the modules were connected). Since most Plant projects ship 90% complete, with drywall, paint, millwork, tile work, and even the appliances already in place, on-site finish work is generally minimal. Landscaping is also typically done at this time.
Time: 6 - 12 weeks
Final Inspection
The city will perform the final inspection to ensure that the structural and utility connections were done correctly and then issue the certificate of occupancy. Your client’s project is officially complete!
Project Bid
You’ll share your client’s project and we’ll prepare a rough order of magnitude (ROM) bid that specifies anticipated costs, inclusions, and exclusions.
Time: 1 - 2 weeks
Initial Design Review
You’ll share your plans and we’ll make sure they can be prefabricated at Plant. Our design studio will give you a sense for what kind of changes may be required, if any, to make your design more modular-friendly.
If you haven’t yet reviewed our design guidelines for architects, this is a great time to do so.
Time: 1 - 2 weeks
Land Feasibility
We will evaluate your client’s lot, and the route from our factory to the lot, to make sure it’s feasible to deliver and install prefabricated components. In general, if a foundation can be engineered, we can install prefabricated modules on it. However, impediments like overhanging trees and power lines, low bridges, narrow roads, severe curves, and steep slopes along the route will determine what we can build and deliver. We'll give you a full report and discuss our recommendations.
Time: 2 weeks
Design
If you’ve already completed the design, we’ll work with you on any changes that may be required to make it more efficient for prefabrication. Ideally, you connect with us before your plans have been engineered, as the requirements for offsite construction vary from those for site-built projects.
If you’re still developing the design, we’ll help you optimize it for prefabrication and weigh in on the most cost-effective, healthy, and sustainable options for finishes, fixtures, and other materials.
Time: 12 - 16 weeks
Engineering & Permitting
Engineering and permitting for the house modules are governed by state authorities. Engineering and permitting for the foundation and site work is governed by local authorities.
You (or your client’s general contractor) will coordinate engineering and permitting. Plant can support you by recommending engineers who are experienced in prefabricated construction.
Time: Varies by jurisdiction
Pre-Construction
This is when you and your client finalize finish specifications, and when we work with you and/or your client to determine the scope of work between Plant and your client’s site general contractor. Based on our decisions, we finalize pricing for the production. This is also when we collate and submit the engineered drawings for the modules to state authorities for permitting.
Time: 8 - 16 weeks
Fabrication
Your client’s project is built in our indoor facility by our highly-skilled, full-time tradespeople, following precisely engineered plans. Our rigorous quality control program ensures superior craftsmanship, and our environmental health and sustainability standards minimize toxins and waste.
Production happens in parallel with site work, shaving months off the project timeline. And, all required inspections are completed in Plant’s factory, so we’re able to deliver your client’s project with the walls sealed and finishes installed!
You and your client are invited to tour the project in production.
Time: 8 - 16 weeks
Site Work and Foundation
Plant does not perform site work, but we collaborate with your client’s site general contractor on the preparation of their lot and foundation. We provide direction, answer questions, and work swiftly to resolve any issues, maintaining oversight and quality control of the entire process.
Time: 8 - 16 weeks
Delivery & Installation
Your client’s general contractor will select a transportation company and schedule delivery of the modules. Plant can introduce the general contractor to recommended transportation providers if needed. The transportation company will secure any necessary permits (for things like police escorts, road closures, or parking), and truck the modules from Plant’s factory to the job site.
Then for the fun part! Installation is when the modules and other prefabricated components that comprise the home are assembled on-site. A crane is used to lift the modules off the truck and then lower them onto the prepared foundation, where they are bolted together. Depending on the size and complexity of the design, most projects are fully assembled in a matter of hours. (Really.) It’s cool to watch, and you’re invited to spectate! Here’s a video that shows the process.
Time: 1 - 2 days
Finish Work
Once the building is assembled, your client’s general contractor will connect the water, sewer, electric, and appliances, and apply the finishing touches (like exterior siding where the modules were connected). Since most Plant projects ship 90% complete, with drywall, paint, millwork, tile work, and even the appliances already in place, on-site finish work is generally minimal. Landscaping is also typically done at this time.
Time: 6 - 12 weeks
Final Inspection
The city will perform the final inspection to ensure that the structural and utility connections were done correctly and then issue the certificate of occupancy. Your client’s project is officially complete!
Inspired designs, efficiently built.
See the results.
Custom
Faster
Healthy
Designed for Living
Smart
Why choose Plant?
Your client’s project is efficiently constructed to your exact design specifications, in half the time of an on-site build. Rigorous quality control standards ensure superior craftsmanship and full-service project management ensures no surprises for you or your client.
Connect with us.
We offer lunch and learns as well as tours of our factory and show homes.
Have a project to discuss? Tell us about it and we can provide a detailed quote.
Architecture is a visual art, and the buildings speak for themselves.”
Julia Morgan