| 1 |
Confirm local planning and building rules first |
Panelized, modular, and volumetric systems |
- What planning permission and building approvals are required?
- Will the local authority accept factory-built structural elements?
- Are local rules based on national, state, provincial, or municipal codes?
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Written confirmation from the local building authority, planning documents, code-compliance statements, and drawings prepared for the target site.
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The seller says the house is “approved everywhere” without identifying the project location or the applicable building code.
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| 2 |
Compare the complete delivered scope |
Kit, shell-only, turnkey, and installed packages |
- Does the price include foundations, transport, installation, utilities, finishes, and taxes?
- Which work remains the buyer’s responsibility?
- Are site preparation and connection charges excluded?
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A line-item quotation, inclusions and exclusions schedule, installation responsibilities, payment milestones, and change-order procedure.
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A low headline price is provided without a fixed scope, site assumptions, or a list of excluded costs.
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| 3 |
Match the structural system to the site |
Light-gauge steel, timber frame, concrete panels, and volumetric modules |
- Can the system meet local wind, snow, seismic, flood, and corrosion requirements?
- What foundation type and ground-bearing capacity are required?
- How are connections and lifting points engineered?
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Structural calculations, geotechnical requirements, connection details, load tables, material specifications, and engineering responsibility matrix.
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The same structural design is offered for every climate and soil condition without site-specific engineering.
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| 4 |
Evaluate thermal and moisture performance |
Insulated panels, timber-frame walls, steel-frame walls, and concrete envelope systems |
- What are the wall, roof, floor, window, and door thermal properties?
- How are thermal bridges, condensation, vapor control, and water penetration addressed?
- Is the design suitable for the local heating and cooling climate?
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Assembly drawings, insulation specifications, window performance data, condensation-control details, water-resistance details, and energy calculations where required.
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The supplier quotes only an insulation thickness or an “energy-efficient” label without describing the complete wall and roof assemblies.
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| 5 |
Check fire, acoustic, and health requirements |
Panelized assemblies, modular units, and mixed-material systems |
- What fire-resistance ratings apply to walls, floors, and separating elements?
- How are smoke spread, fire stopping, and escape routes designed?
- What acoustic performance is expected between rooms or dwellings?
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Fire-test or classification reports applicable to the exact assembly, product safety information, acoustic test data, and interior-material specifications.
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A certificate covers a different product, thickness, or assembly from the one included in the quotation.
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| 6 |
Assess manufacturing quality control |
Factory-built modules, panels, and hybrid systems |
- What inspections occur during cutting, framing, enclosure, services installation, and final assembly?
- Are tolerances, moisture levels, and material traceability recorded?
- Who performs independent inspections, if required?
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Quality-control plan, inspection and test plan, factory audit information, batch records, nonconformance process, and pre-shipment inspection checklist.
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Quality is described only through photographs, testimonials, or a general statement that the factory follows “international standards.”
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| 7 |
Calculate logistics and installation constraints |
Flat-pack panels versus volumetric modules |
- What are the largest package dimensions and shipping weights?
- Can the route accommodate cranes, escorts, road limits, ports, and local access?
- What happens if a shipment is delayed or damaged?
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Packing list, package dimensions and weights, lifting plan, delivery route assumptions, Incoterms, cargo insurance terms, and site-access requirements.
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Freight is quoted as a simple percentage or lump sum without package dimensions, destination details, or unloading responsibilities.
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| 8 |
Compare durability and maintenance requirements |
Steel, timber, concrete, and composite envelope systems |
- How are corrosion, rot, termites, ultraviolet exposure, and freeze-thaw conditions managed?
- Which components require periodic inspection or replacement?
- Are spare parts and compatible repair materials available locally?
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Material durability specifications, protective-coating requirements, maintenance schedules, expected service-life assumptions, and replacement-part policy.
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The system is advertised as maintenance-free, even though coatings, sealants, membranes, or mechanical equipment will require inspection or replacement.
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| 9 |
Review warranty, liability, and after-sales support |
Imported kits, locally assembled panels, and full-service modular projects |
- Who covers structural defects, water ingress, finishes, appliances, and installed services?
- Where must claims be submitted, and who pays for travel or replacement shipping?
- Is there a local contractor authorized to perform corrective work?
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Warranty terms, exclusions, response times, governing law, insurance information, service contacts, and a clear defects-liability process.
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The warranty is valid only in the exporting country or excludes installation, transport damage, moisture problems, and local labor costs.
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| 10 |
Verify payment security and supplier capability |
Direct factory purchase, local distributor, and design-build contract |
- How long has the manufacturer supplied comparable projects?
- Can the supplier provide verifiable references in similar climates or regulatory environments?
- Are payments linked to measurable design, production, delivery, and completion milestones?
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Company registration, audited or independently verified project references, production capacity information, contract terms, retention provisions, and milestone-based payment schedule.
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The buyer is asked to pay most of the contract value before approved drawings, production evidence, inspection, or delivery.
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