Media FeatureModular & Tiny

Modular homes capable of being built in as little as four months are being touted as one potential solution to the housing crisis in the Southern Forest region.

The region is among one of the most difficult markets to find a home, according to Anglicare WA data from May this year, which revealed just 11 rental properties were listed across Manjimup, Bridgetown and Pemberton — with none affordable for people relying on income support.

However, Summit Modular general manager Brad Bairstow said rapidly expanding modular construction could help regional communities overcome the major barriers to increasing housing supply.

Modular homes capable of being built in as little as four months are being touted as one potential solution to the housing crisis in the Southern Forest region.

The region is among one of the most difficult markets to find a home, according to Anglicare WA data from May this year, which revealed just 11 rental properties were listed across Manjimup, Bridgetown and Pemberton — with none affordable for people relying on income support.

However, Summit Modular general manager Brad Bairstow said rapidly expanding modular construction could help regional communities overcome the major barriers to increasing housing supply.

“In some regional areas, there are no builders, or if there are builders, you’re looking at a two to three-year wait because they’ve got so much work,” he said.

Mr Bairstow said it takes Summit about 16 weeks to build a home in the Canning Vale factory, before transporting it to its final location.

“If all you wanted was the house delivered and connected, about a week or two after it’s delivered you could actually live in it,” he said.

The company has already delivered into the Southern Forests, including a home for a Manjimup resident, who Mr Bairstow said signed her contract in early February and had already moved in.

He said demand had surged since Summit entered the modular market about three years ago.

“In our first year we built around 30 homes, and then we did about 100 homes, and this year we’re going to do about 200 homes,” he said.

“The demand is very strong.”

For a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home delivered in the Pemberton area, Mr Bairstow estimated buyers could expect to pay about $350,000 for the home, transport, installation and electrical and plumbing connections.

Adding features such as an on-site built carport, concrete driveway, landscaping and reticulation could bring the cost of a turnkey property to about $430,000 depending on site.

Mr Bairstow said modern modular homes were also a significant departure from the transportable homes many people associate with factory construction.

“Summit homes are installed into the ground rather than sitting on blocks and are designed to have the appearance, quality and amenity of traditionally built homes,” he said.

“By the time it’s installed in the ground and then had all the back fill done, it just looks like the house was built there.”

For regional communities struggling to add housing supply, Mr Bairstow said the biggest advantages were certainty and speed.

“Firstly, you will be able to get a house built,” he said.

“Secondly, you can get it much, much quicker.”

This article was originally featured in the Manjimup-Bridgetown Times.