FAQ’s

Why choose URBANCOLLECTIVE over other housing and workers accommodation manufacturers?

• Unparalleled contemporary design, blending tradition and technology
• Delivered on site with minimal installation works required
• Quality controlled manufacture
• Superior fittings and fixtures (as standard inclusions)*
• Affordability

What are some examples of sustainable design principles used by Urban Collective?

URBANCOLLECTIVE choose to use products that are recycled, reconstituted or sourced from sustainable suppliers. For example, our common flooring is reconstituted plantation bamboo. Similarly, our internal walls use a board which is a reconstituted product with increased strength, that is fire retardant, water resistant and offers improved acoustic properties than traditional plasterboard products.

Our house designs are committed to energy efficiency. You will notice that our designs utilise natural ventilation wherever possible.

Why are they built in a factory?

This is a combination of factors including (but not limited to):

• we believe a higher level of quality control can be achieved through factory-built products;
• the modern modularisation of design and fabrication create a degree of automation that cannot be achieved on-site through traditional building methods, resulting in significant savings in building costs and can dramatically reduce building time;
• the homes are built to be structurally superior (as they need to be to ensure they can be transported safely to site);
• reduced site waste and environmental impact; and
• affordability.

Does URBANCOLLECTIVE offer commercial products?

Yes, a key focus of our modular concept is that it has application for sectors such as mining and defence housing. We have developed a worker accommodation suite of products that offer affordability, are contemporary in design, and have higher quality finishes and inclusions than traditional worker accommodation options.

What’s the difference between an URBANCOLLECTIVE home and other pre-fabricated or site built homes?

We believe URBANCOLLECTIVE homes are the best value contemporary prefab home currently available.
We believe our designs are superior to the majority of site built homes. We believe our homes have one of the highest levels of design and style in the market, are built using sustainable building practices and materials, and above all else, are affordable.

URBANCOLLECTIVE homes are built off-site, in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Our homes are built to the same International Residential Code (IRC) standards that a typical site-built home would be. Our design principles focus on 3 key elements: functionality, quality finish and sustainability, and it is the combination of these 3 elements that set URBANCOLLECTIVE homes apart from other prefabricated and standard built products. URBANCOLLECTIVE homes are a great example of what can be achieved when good design is combined with environmentally responsible construction.

Does URBANCOLLECTIVE operate Australia-wide?

Yes. Regardless of where you are in Australia, we can build and install an URBANCOLLECTIVE home for you – the only variable in the cost will be transport.

Do you operate internationally?

We are currently discussing opportunities for our products overseas and we would be happy to talk with you about our products for any International destination.

How do you ensure your homes aren’t damaged while they are being transported?

All our homes are delivered to their destination largely complete and craned off the transporting vehicle directly onto your prepared site. By undertaking the construction process in our factory as well as by using a full steel frame and high strength internal and external walls, we create a home for you that can withstand much greater stressors than would be possible with on-site construction. Rigorous testing procedures and quality control processes ensure that each home arrives at its destination in the same condition in which it left the factory, ensuring the transportation process does not affect the quality of the final product. Any minor movement cracks will be picked up in the delivery audit and repaired (as would a site built home).

Why is my URBANCOLLECTIVE home better for the environment than other homes?

Through a careful process of planning and design, every step of the construction and subsequent use of these homes has been considered in terms of its impact on the environment. With an URBANCOLLECTIVE home, site preparation is minimal, meaning less disruption to flora, fauna and neighbouring areas and the screw piling technique we use means there is no need for earth moving or compacting. Having the construction take place in a factory rather than on-site minimises noise, rubbish, dust, and debris and maximises the quality of the final product; meaning less repairs and re-work in years to come. All materials used in the construction of our homes are either recycled, reconstituted or sourced from sustainable suppliers (for example all timbers used are sourced from sustainable plantation forests).

Do I need to have my site specially prepared?

All URBANCOLLECTIVE houses sit on a foundations system called ‘screw piles’ (a widely recognised foundation system which has low environmental impact) which generally reduces the need for significant site preparation. In some instances there will be a need for additional site preparation and this will have an associated cost however our Urban Collective team will be happy to assist you should the need arise.

Can I select finishes for my home?

URBANCOLLECTIVE have three finish options available. Our URBANCOLLECTIVE team are happy to discuss any specific request for material finishes.

How complete is the home when it’s delivered?

Your home will be up to 90% complete when it’s delivered on site. The only things we prefer to install onsite are hardwood flooring, some external cladding and decking and household appliances etc. Other than that, it’s simply a matter of attaching the home to the foundations and completing our comprehensive ‘Finish detailing’ work.

What building warranties are provided?

A six year structural guarantee.

* Terms and conditions apply.

Please note: the information contained in the above FAQ’s are intended and provided as general information only. It is not intended as advice and must not be relied upon as such. If you have any further queries about URBANCOLLECTIVE or our products, please email us at contact@urbancollective.com.au