For years, leaders in offsite and modular construction have been saying the same thing: if governments want real solutions to housing shortages and slow build cycles, they need to listen to the people doing the work — the manufacturers, builders, panelized system experts, and others with their boots on the ground. Now, with Build Canada Homes launching an RFI for modular, prefabricated, and panelized home builders, that moment has finally come. Instead of top-down mandates based on assumptions, officials are opening the door to direct industry insight. This isn’t just a procedural step — it’s an overdue acknowledgment that people who live and breathe modern methods of construction have perspectives that should shape policy, procurement, and strategy from the outset.
photo – Signature Modular Homes
The RFI is designed to gather real information on capabilities, business models, and delivery approaches from across Canada’s modular and panelized housing sector, with the explicit goal of informing an upcoming prequalification process and identifying partners for future large-scale housing projects. Respondents are even invited to join a public directory of firms, helping elevate awareness of what this sector truly can deliver and strengthening visibility for companies that are ready to scale. While participating doesn’t guarantee future contracts, it gives industry voices a platform to influence how governments think about housing supply solutions — and that’s a big deal for builders who have too often been left at the edges of decision-making.
For offsite construction advocates, this RFI is more than a government form; it’s a signal that the sector’s expertise is finally being taken seriously. The emphasis on modern methods of construction — from volumetric modular units to panelized systems — could be a turning point in how affordable housing gets delivered at scale. It’s a chance to shape procurement frameworks around real world experience rather than theoretical models, and to push for policies that genuinely recognize the value of factory-built approaches. After years of advocacy and proof of concept in the field, having government ask, “What do you think?” feels like a long-overdue step in the right direction.
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With more than 10,000 published articles on modular and offsite construction, Gary Fleisher remains one of the most trusted voices in the industry.
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