THE IMPACT OF LOGISTICS ON THE COST OF PREFABRICATED CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to emphasize the need for logistics planning in prefabricated construction in Slovakia. A construction contractor can achieve profit and efficiency of a construction project through well-managed resource logistics. Moreover, it helps to ensure the competitiveness of prefabricated construction compared to traditional on-site construction. In the case study of a wood-based family house, the construction cost and the transport cost are analysed in relation to available logistics chains. Three variants of wood-based construction systems are adopted in the study: the column-beam construction system, the construction system based on Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) and the panel construction system. The results of the study found that the transport cost does not represent a large share of the total construction cost of the wood-based family house. This applies to all three variants of the construction system. A well-planned logistics of resources – people, materials, machines – can help to achieve an efficient and rational construction cost and construction time of a project. Thus, a client of a wood-based prefabricated building does not have to worry that the transport cost related to the transport of large, prefabricated components will make the construction of the building markedly more expensive.