Precast Concrete: Advantages and Disadvantages

Hello everyone,

my wife and I are currently taking the first steps towards building a house. The plot of land is purchased and the budget roughly defined. Initial discussions with architects have also taken place.

As a layperson, of course, I cannot take on the job of the planners and have to some extent simply trust that I will be properly advised. But I would like to understand and think through as much as possible myself.

What is currently occupying my mind: Why are houses still conventionally built "brick by brick" when you can instead have concrete prefabricated elements delivered and assembled/put up in a few days? The only tangible disadvantage I have come across so far is the increased planning effort, as you can hardly make any changes to these components afterward (openings, pipes, etc.). In comparison, the advantages such as time savings and probably higher quality due to standardized workflows seem to clearly outweigh that.

Nevertheless, these prefabricated parts (in custom-designed houses) remain a niche. Why is that?

Many thanks!

Nevertheless, these prefabricated parts (for custom-designed houses) are a niche. Why is that?

Because there are too few production lines for this construction method, making the production costs uncompetitive. Rhineland greetings from on the road

Thank you very much for the quick response!

So it is generally cheaper to do the formwork, concreting, and bricklaying over weeks on the construction site? Amazing.

So is it generally cheaper to formwork, pour concrete, and brick on site over weeks? Amazing.

Few do formwork nowadays, as mostly precast ceilings are installed. Yes, overall it is more cost-effective ... and honestly? Who wants to live permanently in concrete walls; apart from the necessary Hilti? Lightweight aggregate elements are unfortunately comparably expensive. If you are interested in this system, there is a provider who builds styrofoam facades/interior walls and then fills them with concrete on site. Rhineland greetings from the road

Poor insulation values are added

At the moment, I am interested in (almost) everything related to building. We will probably not be able to avoid a good amount of concrete in the house, as two out of three floors will be built into the hillside.