Pre fab house building

@Nic2980

If you are going with a Pre fab house because you thinking it will be quicker, sorry to disapoint you, it won't be as modular or prefab houses intended for permanent residence require the exact same municipal planning permissions, architectural projects, and habitation licenses as traditional brick-and-mortar builds.

Hi, it wasn’t so much to speed up the permissions aspect of it. As it’s nearly at final permission stage. More to make the build itself more streamlined as we won’t be in Portugal while it’s going on. And thinking as well the build itself may be cheaper as my thinking was there’s not as much risk build wise. I know the prep is there- groundwork, water, elec connections. But then I was thinking the factory builds the house and kind of transports on site.

Like I said I’ve never gone down the pre fabricated house building route so that’s why I was wondering if someone has maybe done it and has any thoughts?

thanks very much

Hi @Nic2980, Welcome.

As @SimCityAT said, the bureaucracy is exactly the same. But the construction phase is a massive plus when managing a project from abroad.

The legal framework in Portugal is very clear on this matter. All official legislation establishes that the construction method (traditional brick-and-mortar, timber, panels, or prefabricated modules) does not alter the mandatory requirement for a building licence.

Since a prefabricated or modular house is intended for human habitation and requires foundations, as well as water and electricity connections (which establishes its permanent nature), it falls under this scope exactly like a traditional house.

Some Portuguese companies that offer interesting ideas for prefabricated houses:

Concrete or Steel Modular Construction (Modern Style)

https://www.modiko.pt/casas-prontas/

https://buildbox.pt/

Rustic or eco-friendly integration into the landscape, using certified high-quality wood

https://jular.pt/

https://rusticasa.com/

Mobile Homes and Flexible Modules

https://www.kitur.pt/

https://mobilhomes.msri.pt/