what’s so fab about prefab housing? an explainer
In Buster Keaton’s first independent film production, “One Week,” he and his newlywed wife receive an unexpected gift from a generous uncle: a kit house from the Portable House Company.
As the 19-minute short film progresses, Keaton struggles to construct his house ”according to the numbers on the boxes” in one week—not because it’s a poor product, but because a rival suitor switched up the box numbers, resulting in a shoddy, slapdash structure ripe for slapstick.
Keaton’s 1920 film provides a silly but profound glimpse at the pervasiveness of ready-made housing in the early 20th century. Still, while Sears & Roebuck made mail-order homes popular in the 1900s, prefab far predates the 1900s: Architectural Digest draws comparisons to structures “tens of thousands of years ago” while the National Park Service cites portable cottages of the 1800s.
Still from Buster Keaton’s “One Week” (1920), where newlyweds receive a prefab home as a wedding gift. Chaos ensues.
“To give this house a snappy appearance…” The original prefab directions weren’t exactly foolproof.
Today, prefab housing as we know has evolved into an innovative and resourceful solution for families impacted by disasters and housing crises.
The question remains: What does the prefab housing process actually entail and how can it help families affected by the 2025 wildfires rebuild their homes and lives?
Let’s take a look.
What is prefab housing, exactly?
“Prefab housing” is short for prefabricated housing. In its simplest terms, prefab housing is the process of building the components of a home in a factory or off-site location and then transporting them to a plot of land for assembly. It can be a fast, cost-efficient, and sustainable alternative to traditional or stick-built homes.
Still from the opening sequence of Weeds (Showtime, 2005). Image used under fair use for commentary.
Not quite what we mean by prefab. The “little boxes” of suburbia gave prefab a bad rap it never quite deserved.
What are the biggest benefits of prefab housing?
Here’s a closer look at the core benefits of prefab housing a.k.a., what makes prefab housing so fab:
Speed and convenience: Prefab homes can be built quickly and easily through a standardized process, saving homeowners the headache of managing on-site contractors and weather delays. According to a study from the Urban Institute, modular homes can be built nearly two months quicker than stick-built homes.
Cost-efficiency: Since modular homes are faster to build than traditional homes, they help minimize labor costs and material waste.
Sustainability: Prefab homes can be built with sustainable materials like reclaimed wood and customized features like solar panels to reduce their environmental impact.
Durability: Many prefab homes are specially engineered to withstand natural disasters like wildfires, earthquakes, and hurricanes.
Customization: Prefab owners can personalize their homes with different features, layouts, add-ons, and finishes to suit their needs.
What are some misconceptions about prefab housing?
Let’s face it. Prefab homes are sometimes misunderstood (they’re just complicated like that, ok?). Instead of being seen as the accessible and sustainable solutions that they are, they might be mistaken as cheap or temporary structures.
So, let’s take a second to debunk a few of those misconceptions:
Misconception 1: Prefab housing is low quality: Many modern prefab homes are built with high-quality, durable materials in controlled environments, so they can remain standing and sturdy for years to come.
Misconception 2: Prefab homes are cookie-cutter: Prefab homes aren’t just little boxes made of ticky-tacky and they all look just the same (Malvina Reynolds song reference, or “Weeds” theme song reference for Mary Louise Parker fans). They can be extensively customized and adapted to meet each homeowner's needs and aesthetic interests.
Misconception 3: Prefab homes are mobile homes: Mobile homes are standard-built structures that are designed to be, well, mobile. For instance, they might be built on a chassis that can be hooked to a trailer and transported on the road. Prefab homes, on the other hand, can be highly customized with quality materials and they’re designed to be stationary once assembled at their final destination.
Misconception 4: Prefab housing is just for she-sheds: Man cave. She-shed. Guesthouse. ADU (accessory dwelling unit). Take your pick. While prefab can be used for these little structures, it can also be used to build full-size homes that comfortably and safely house entire families.
Why is prefab a viable option for families who need to rebuild?
For families impacted by the 2025 wildfires, prefab may provide that next step to rebuilding and reestablishing a place to call home. Beyond just speed and affordability, prefab housing offers another vital solution that can make a big difference in people’s lives: durable, resilient materials. Specifically, many prefab houses can be built with fire-resistant materials like steel siding, fiber cement, and mineral wool insulation. They can also be built with reinforced frameworks to withstand earthquakes and elevated flooring systems for moisture protection.
How long does the prefab process take?
The prefab building process can vary based on the home being built and materials used. In general, however, the prefab process can take anywhere from several weeks to several months. Meaning, it’s usually much faster than traditional, on-site building. As The Center for American Progress reported, modular building can speed up project timelines by 30-50% thanks to automation and quality control.
How much does prefab housing cost?
Prefab housing can cost much less than stick-built housing. According to 2023 Census data, the average prefab home cost 40% less than new or existing site-built homes. Meanwhile Angi reported that basic modular homes generally cost between $80 and $160 per square foot. This is particularly striking now that estimated costs of rebuilding for some families are projected at $1,000 to $1,500 per square foot.
However, the final price of a prefab will depend on many factors, like the size of the home, the manufacturer, and the materials used.
How does the prefab permit process work?
As with traditional stick-built homes, prefab homes have to adhere to certain requirements and permits. In California, manufactured homes, specifically, are regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and typically require a Manufactured Housing Permit through the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). On the other hand, modular homes are built to local building codes, including the International Residential Code (IRC), and are permitted through the local city or county, just like any site-built home.
Are there any downsides to prefab housing?
Of course, prefab housing isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and it may not be the right fit for everyone. While it has many benefits, it can also come with potential drawbacks like:
Design flexibility is limited: Most prefab builders offer a limited range of layouts and finishes to streamline production. Adding too many customizations can also increase costs or delay production.
Site work isn't included: Laying the foundation, connecting utilities, and labor costs usually aren’t included in the prefab price tag. That’s why it’s important to thoroughly research prefab companies and expenses ahead of time.
Financing can be tricky: Some lenders are still unfamiliar with prefab models, especially modular structures, and may not provide financing options for these solutions. Instead, you might need construction loans that convert to mortgages, which can be more complex.
What does prefab housing look like in action?
Prefab has the potential to help LA families rebuild their homes and communities after the devastating 2025 wildfires. And it wouldn’t be the first time that prefab housing had this type of impact. To address the housing affordability crisis in 2023, the Hilda L. Solis Care First Village was created in downtown LA using modular construction. Internationally, Sweden is setting an example for how to create high-quality modular homes that reduce carbon emissions. Closer to home, prefab businesses like Modul8, Cover, and Dvele are devising new ways to help LA families rebuild their homes and restore hope after the fires.
In our mission, Lotus Rising LA is exploring partnerships with local, forward-thinking housing companies. We recently toured one of MODUL8’s building sites, for instance, to see how their modular units can support future rebuilds and give families a fresh start.
Having seen a glimpse of the possibilities, we’re excited about what’s to come.
References:
Architectural Digest. What were the earliest forms of prefab architecture? YouTube.
Batema, Cara. (2025, Apr). The reality of rebuilding after a wildfire. Lotus Rising LA.
Blanco, Jose Luis et al. (2023, May). Making modular construction fit. McKinsey & Company.
Chavez, Mark. (2011). Prefabricated homes. National Park Service.
Classics of World Cinema. Buster Keaton - One Week (1920) Silent film. YouTube.
Goodman, Laurie & Pruitt, Matthew. (2024, Sept). Encouraging modular construction could help address the housing shortage. Urban Institute.
Hiles, Catherine. (2024, Nov). How much does a modular home cost? [2025 Data]. Angi.
Houser, Kristin. (2025, Mar). Fire-resilient prefabs are helping LA build back better. Freethink.
Jacob, Mary K. (2025, Feb). An LA home reduced to rubble in the fires drew more than 60 offers and stands to sell for over $1M. New York Post.
Jordan, Karen. (2023, Mar). Modular construction offers solution to affordable housing crisis. Urban Land.
Laws and Regulations. California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Mari, Francesca. (2024, Jun). How an American dream of housing became a reality in Sweden. The New York Times.
Niasse, Amina. (2023, Nov). Prefabricated home shipments on the rise in a pricey property market. Reuters.
Permits & Inspections. California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Pros and cons of modular homes. Modular Home Builders Association.
Walker, Allison. (2025, Apr). When the smoke clears: what LA’s wildfire survivors want you to know—and what they still need. Lotus Rising LA.
Young, Olivia. (2022, Jul). How sustainable is modular construction? Treehugger.
Zonta, Michela. (2024, Feb). Increasing affordable housing stock through modular building. The Center for American Progress.
Disclaimer: The content shared in our blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. Please consult with a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.
