With housing costs increasingly on the rise, it’s no surprise that there is a demand for ways to much more affordable and accessible housing.
One housing trend answering that demand is the rise of prefabricated homes, often simply referred to as prefab homes. A prefab home is a type of dwelling that is constructed in sections or components in a factory or manufacturing facility, rather than being built entirely on-site like traditional homes. These sections, often referred to as modules or panels, are then transported to the home’s intended location and assembled on-site to create the complete structure. These homes typically cost 10-20% less than traditional homes and are built 30-60% faster.
The prefab housing scene is small but growing in the Philippines. One budding player offering prefab homes is Homebase Modular Living, which already has nearly 100 projects in locations such as Quezon City, Rizal, Cavite, and other Luzon locations under its belt. These projects range from scenic beachfront homes to compact 2-storey residences right in the middle of the city. Today, the company offers basic 5.95 x 3 x 2.8 meter ‘standard’ homes, bigger homes with open and enclosed rooftop decks, loft-type cabin homes, and more—all with the option to customize.
Founded in 2022 by Gian Pimentel, HomeBase ironically got its start in an unrelated field. “We first noticed prefab back during the peak of the pandemic, when it was being used to quickly build isolation facilities,” Pimentel explained. “My family already has a background in sourcing and we came across prefabs we wanted to turn into offices for our family business.”
Not all of the prefab material that Pimentel sourced from abroad would end up being used. Eventually, the company ended up selling the leftover materials on Facebook Marketplace—where there was a surprisingly strong demand from people who were building tiny homes and offices.
“That’s when I realized there was definitely a market here,” Pimentel said.
Understanding prefab homes
HomeBase operates in a market that admittedly still has to overcome its growing pains. Although the global prefabricated housing market is expected to grow and reach an estimated value of $22.9 billion by 2028, there are those who still have their doubts: are prefab homes structurally safe? How are they designed? How long will construction actually take?
Pimentel understands these concerns and is quick to point out that HomeBase’s standard home incorporates a robust construction, utilizing galvanized steel frame beams and pillars complete with bottom and top purlins. Each structure is reinforced with high-strength bolts, a top plate slot, and includes features like wall panels, a single-color steel composite board, and a double-color steel plate.
Additionally, the HomeBase team emphasizes its prefab homes go through all of the same safety checks traditional homes do. Before beginning any construction, the HomeBase team will always recommend a site visit first to check the feasibility of building a foundation. If the site’s soil seems too soft, HomeBase will recommend a soil test. If construction is deemed feasible, HomeBase starts the typical process of asking for construction plans, permits, and even checking in with local barangay requirements.
HomeBase takes the extra step of bolting and welding its containers to every foundation to ensure structural integrity, rather than simply building on top of it. “We have a real emphasis on safety,” Pimentel explained. “Other prefab home builders might outsource building the foundation but we like doing it ourselves.”
HomeBase is also transparent regarding the material used in each project. The company opts for rockwool (also known as mineral wool), a fire-resistant material renowned for its exceptional insulating properties. The inherent insulation properties of rockwool alleviate the need for customers to invest extra in additional insulation, a requirement often seen in prefab homes constructed from shipping containers.
For extra peace of mind, the company even monitors how other prefab home companies fared during natural disasters. “We’ve only done projects in Luzon so far but we also look at places like Cebu to see how other prefab homes held up under super typhoons,” said Pimentel. “So far none have had any major problems.”
All in all, Pimentel states that a typical base structure only takes about a week to complete. “Though the exterior will take longer depending on the client’s design, a standard structure can be done in just about three days. The fastest project we’ve ever had only took about three weeks from start to finish.”
Standing out in the market
As HomeBase steadily completes more projects, it’s become easier for it to understand its place in the market. The company has so far focused on building residential and secondary homes outside of Metro Manila, with many of them being vacation homes in surrounding provinces.
Though the market for prefab secondary homes is still small (Pimentel estimates less than a dozen competitors), Homebase is ready to set itself apart—dedicating itself to accommodating, personalized service as its key differentiator.
First, HomeBase offers additional services such as interior design, electrical, plumbing, and more on top of constructing homes. This saves HomeBase’s clients from having to coordinate with multiple contractors. Coordinating only with HomeBase also allows for greater flexibility when putting the home together, with its team of architects, engineers, and interior designers ready to give their inputs and work with the client.
Contrary to the popular notion that prefab homes must look uniform, customization is another key differentiator for HomeBase. “Everything from ceiling length to the look and placement of our doors and windows can be personalized,” said Pimentel. “You can even mix and match different container types to create your dream home.”
Finally, HomeBase also offers after sales services to continue the customer relationship beyond the construction of the home. These services include ongoing support to ensure that clients not only receive a quality-built home but also enjoy peace of mind and satisfaction throughout their homeownership journey.
A smarter way of owning a home
Pimentel and the rest of the HomeBase team strongly believe that prefab homes are an essential part of the future of home ownership. Beyond just being more affordable and faster to construct, HomeBase’s prefab homes are better for the environment: the materials used in the construction, such as MGO board, SPC vinyl, and PVC panel, are carefully selected to enhance durability and recyclability, allowing for future disassembly and repurposing.
Furthermore, the emphasis on sustainability and waste reduction aligns with HomeBase’s vision of responsible construction. “Being able to say we produce less waste is big for us. We want our construction to have a net positive effect on the world,” said Pimentel.
Markets abroad are increasingly beginning to echo Pimentel’s affinity for prefab homes. In Australia, prefabs currently make up about 5% of the housing industry and are expected to grow to 15% in the next three years and 30% by 2032. China, which pioneered the practice of using prefabs to construct emergency hospitals during the pandemic, is steadily spreading prefabs around the world by helping construct hotels around the US.
Nobody is more excited than Pimentel for prefab homes to enter mainstream consciousness. “Prefab homes shouldn’t be considered a luxury. In fact, prefab homes are all about making housing affordable,” Pimentel said. “It’s a new take on smart living. We really want to educate people that this is a viable, sustainable alternative to the housing of the past.”
HomeBase is carving a path to become the Philippines’ leading prefab tiny home builder with its combination of uncompromising safe standards, customization options, personalized service, and eco-friendly construction. As the prefab market grows globally, HomeBase is committed to making the best case for its prefab homes in the country. To learn more about HomeBase, visit https://www.homebasemodular.com/.