Is the construction industry ready to transform – or just talking about it? A recent Trimble-panel discussion hosted by the Offsite Alliance brought together industry experts to explore how offsite construction methods can deliver on the UK’s (very) ambitious housing targets, the value of the “kit of parts” approach and the move to industrialised construction
Representatives from Trimble, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), plus leading engineering practice Design4Structures, shared insights into how standardisation, digital integration and a shift in construction culture could transform the way UK homes are delivered.
Even with new government support for SME housebuilders, offsite construction offers one of the few realistic paths to delivering homes at the scale and speed demanded. Yet scale remains elusive. So, what are the barriers?
It’s not technology holding us back – it’s trust
Advanced BIM platforms and interoperable data formats allow entire buildings to be modelled with precision. However, these tools can remain underused due to a lack of trust between project partners.
Instead of enabling a seamless workflow, digital files are often handed over weighed down by caveats and disclaimers that lead to rework, delay and wasted effort – and importantly undermining digital continuity.
One panellist from Design4Structures explained: “This is less of a technology issue and more a cultural one. Until we see more shared responsibility and earlier collaboration, those tools remain underused.”
This risk-averse mindset is being slowly challenged by regulatory shifts such as the Building Safety Act, which is starting to formalise accountability. Gateway 2 requires that no high-rise building (HRB) progresses to construction without a fully compliant, safety-checked design, forcing earlier design finality, deeper product knowledge and greater coordination between disciplines.
With only a fraction of Gateway 2 submissions approved so far, the bottlenecks are becoming evident. For offsite and modular manufacturers with tightly scheduled processes and factory lines that require predictability, it can be challenging with design and build timelines often misaligned.
This is why progressive firms are pushing to take responsibility earlier, from planning through design and beyond, realising that working it out collaboratively is a route to success. By delivering fully detailed models at Stage 4-5, they reduce downstream risk, shorten programmes and provide contractors with the data they need to price and schedule accurately.
As the Design4Structures speaker noted: “Everyone’s learning on the job when it comes to the Building Safety Act – but if we want to meet legal duties with confidence, we need earlier visibility and digital tools, like Trimble’s, to support the golden thread at every project stage.”
The power of a “kit of parts” approach
Another promising development is the rise of the digital kit of parts. The lack of interchangeability between products and systems is an industry problem, with different suppliers working to different tolerances and standards. A bit like running a car factory where every car is built differently.
Drawing on insights from over 600 products across the MMC market, this component based approach standardises geometries, performance metrics and interfaces, creating a foundation for repeatable design.
Instead of reinventing the wheel on every project, contractors can design for offsite from the start, as opposed to designing for traditional construction and then shoehorning it into an MMC solution once you get to RIBA Stage 3.
They can work from a standardised, shared toolkit with accurate product data from the get-go, which multiple manufacturers can work with too. This standardisation accelerates delivery without stifling innovation. It’s not about limiting creativity; it’s removing duplication and risk.
Where this approach is applied, it’s already delivering results. Coordinated workflows, consistent data environments and shared accountability are accelerating projects, improving cost certainty and reducing downstream rework.
Working towards a more industrialised mindset
A successful kit-of-parts model isn’t just about physical components, as the MHCLG expert stressed: “Industrialisation of the process is just as vital as industrialisation of the product. It’s about embedding standardised, digital processes that work across projects, platforms and teams – enabling longer-term repeatable ways of working, fostering lasting partnerships and encouraging lessons learned principles, all resulting in a stronger, more resilient future for everyone.”
It’s clear the industry must move away from siloed working and low-trust behaviours, toward greater transparency and shared accountability. That means procuring for long-term value rather than the lowest upfront cost, designing for repeatability and supporting a culture that rewards collaboration over protectionism.
Trimble’s philosophy and approach aligns with this vision, with its tools designed to adapt to each organisation’s unique workflow. Whether it’s evidencing due diligence for regulatory compliance or coordinating complex supply chains, the goal is to support decision-makers with accurate, timely, and trustworthy data.
It starts with understanding what you are being asked to deliver and how you want to deliver it, taking into consideration the regulations you’re navigating. For offsite manufacturers, that means mapping the stages of your workflow to demonstrate compliance – all grounded in a clear understanding of your business process.
A talent turning point
Alongside digital reform, the industry’s talent challenge was also discussed. Profit margins are tight, liability fears are high and errors can be career-defining. But with factory based workflows and digital tools that reduce the likelihood of costly mistakes, there is a chance to create a more stable, rewarding and modern working environment.
Several panellists reflected on the satisfaction of seeing a building transition from digital model to physical structure – a tangible reward that could help rebrand construction as a career of choice.
Despite optimism, the panel agreed that the move from pilot projects to scalable pipelines won’t happen without structural change. Government must play a role, not only by setting housing targets but also by enabling procurement frameworks that reward repeatability, incentivise digital maturity and support suppliers investing in automation and R&D.
The case for industrialised and offsite housing delivery is clear. But to realise it, the sector must stop treating digital transformation as an add-on and start embracing it as a foundation. A kit-of-parts is not just a technical solution – it’s a strategic mindset. And it might just be the key to delivering the homes the UK so urgently needs.
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