How Long Does it Take to Build a Capsule Home?

In the construction field, capsule homes, with their unique design, convenient installation, and flexible space utilization, are gradually becoming a new building form. For individuals or businesses interested in using capsule homes, the construction cycle is a major concern. The construction cycle for capsule homes is not fixed; it is influenced by a combination of factors, including the construction method, the size of the house, and construction conditions. The following will explore these influencing factors and their corresponding construction cycles.

I. The Impact of Construction Methods on the Construction Cycle

(I) Prefabricated Modular Construction

Prefabricated modular construction is a common method for building capsule homes. This method involves pre-producing the various modules of the capsule home in a factory, including structural assembly, interior decoration, and water and electricity wiring, before transporting them to the site for assembly. Because the factory production environment is stable and unaffected by external factors such as weather, production efficiency is high, enabling standardized, assembly-line operations. For example, the production time for a single small capsule home module in the factory is typically 7-10 days.

In terms of transportation, if the distance is short, it can be completed in 1-2 days; if the distance is long, it may take 3-5 days. On-site assembly is relatively quick; for simple, small capsule houses, assembly and testing can be completed in 1-3 days. Overall, the construction cycle for small capsule houses built using prefabricated modular construction is approximately 10-20 days from production to use. For larger projects with more modules, although the production time for a single module is basically fixed, the increased number of modules will extend the transportation and assembly time, and the overall construction cycle may be around 30-60 days.

(II) On-site Construction

On-site construction involves constructing the capsule house directly at the construction site. This method is greatly constrained by site conditions, such as weather and available space. First, in the foundation construction stage, depending on the geological conditions, foundation work such as laying the foundation may take 5-15 days. Following this, the main structure is erected. Due to the lack of efficient factory assembly line operations and the need to handle various on-site emergencies, the construction time for the main structure is much longer than that of prefabricated modular construction. The main structure of a small capsule house may take 15-30 days to erect.

The interior decoration and plumbing/electrical installation are also relatively complex in on-site construction, requiring the gradual completion of wall treatment, floor paving, and wiring installation, taking approximately 20-40 days. Therefore, the construction cycle for small capsule houses using on-site construction methods is generally 40-90 days; for large capsule house complex projects, the construction cycle may be as long as 3-6 months or even longer.

II. The Impact of House Size and Complexity on Construction Cycle

(I) House Area and Number of Floors

The house area and number of floors are important factors affecting the construction cycle. Smaller, single-story capsule houses require relatively less building materials and construction work, resulting in a shorter construction cycle. For example, a single-story small capsule house under 50 square meters, constructed using prefabricated modular construction, may only take 10-15 days from production to installation; however, for multi-story capsule houses over 100 square meters, both the number of prefabricated modules produced and the difficulty and workload of on-site assembly increase significantly, potentially extending the construction period to 40-60 days.

(II) Functional and Design Complexity

The functional requirements and design complexity of capsule houses also affect the construction period. If only basic living functions are met, the internal layout is simple, construction difficulty is low, and the construction period is relatively short. However, if capsule houses require special functions, such as intelligent control systems, high-end audio-visual entertainment systems, or have complex shapes and unique structures, more time is needed for design planning, material procurement, and construction installation. For example, a capsule house with a smart home system and personalized exterior design may have a construction period 10-20 days longer than a regular house.

III. Impact of Construction Conditions and External Factors on the Construction Period

(I) Site and Environmental Conditions

The conditions of the construction site have a significant impact on the construction period. If the site is flat and easily accessible, it facilitates the transportation of building materials and the entry of construction equipment, effectively improving construction efficiency and shortening the construction cycle. Conversely, if the site is located in a mountainous area with complex terrain or a remote area with inconvenient transportation, material transportation is difficult and equipment entry is restricted, significantly extending construction time. Furthermore, environmental conditions such as climate cannot be ignored. Inclement weather conditions such as rainy seasons and winters can severely impact on-site construction; for example, rainy days may prevent foundation pouring, and low temperatures may affect concrete setting, potentially extending the construction cycle by 10-30 days or even longer.

(II) Material and Equipment Supply

The supply of building materials and equipment directly affects the construction cycle. If the required materials and equipment are sufficient and arrive in a timely manner, construction can proceed smoothly; conversely, if there are material shortages or equipment malfunctions, construction will be forced to stop. For example, delays in the supply of customized special doors and windows or high-end decorative materials may cause the entire project to halt, extending the construction cycle by several days or even weeks. At the same time, the normal operation of construction equipment is also crucial. If critical equipment malfunctions during construction and cannot be repaired or replaced in a timely manner, it will also seriously affect the construction progress.

(III) Policies and Approval Processes

Policies, regulations, and approval processes are also external factors affecting the construction cycle. Before constructing a capsule house, relevant planning and construction approvals are required. If the approval process is cumbersome and time-consuming, it will delay the project's commencement. Approval policies and efficiencies vary across regions. In some areas, the approval process is simple and may be completed in 1-2 weeks; while in others, the approval process is complex and may take 1-3 months or even longer, which undoubtedly lengthens the entire construction cycle.

The construction cycle of a capsule house is influenced by various factors such as construction method, house size, and construction conditions, exhibiting considerable flexibility. Small, simple capsule houses constructed using prefabricated modular construction have shorter construction cycles; while large, complex projects constructed on-site have longer construction cycles. Fully considering these factors and rationally arranging the construction plan when planning the construction of capsule houses can help shorten the construction cycle and improve construction efficiency.