MAS™ Solution vs. Chinese Pre-Fab homes
- Labor: One of the biggest misconceptions about the Pre-Fab home from China is that you are saving labor. The labor is still involved, and you are paying for it. It just takes place in their country and benefits their economy. Labor for the MAS™ system is done 100% locally. For countries requiring local content this is CRITICAL!
- Cost: The cost to build a Chinese Pre-Fab home is 50% MORE than the cost to build a MAS™ home.
- Vulnerability: The Chinese Pre-Fab home is made from lightweight materials that are easily destroyed by daily activities and normal environmental occurrences. Natural disasters are true disasters if you are depending on this type of construction.
- Solution: The Chinese Pre-Fab home was a great solution until the introduction of the MAS™ home. They could be built 4 times faster than conventional homes and provided a much needed solution to developing countries. The MAS™ solution makes the Chinese Pre-Fab home obsolete. The MAS™ home can be built 4 times faster than the Chinese Pre-Fab home and it is a solution that appeals to all neighborhoods through the world NOT just 3rd world countries. The MAS™ home is the WORLDS housing solution for all economic classes.
The MAS™ Solution leaves the economy and the structure strong and lasting in the locale it was built in. A MAS™ home is a monument to the developer and builder. Anything else will be a fleeting negative memory. A MAS™ home can easily be customized to represent any culture for ZERO additional costs! The comparison chart below provides a feature by feature comparison of the MAS™ homes vs. the Chinese Pre-Fab homes.
- Click to View a Comparison Table Between the MAS-570™ and the Chinese Pre-Fab Home
MAS-570™
$17,000
Chinese Pre-Fab Homes
$22,500
Size 570 sq. ft. 400 sq. ft. Durability 200 Years + Unknown Typical Ceiling Height 12 Feet 8 Feet 100% Concrete Exterior YES NO Square Corners 
Integral Roof – Monolithic Construction – Clear Span Interiors – Unlimited Interior Floor Plans – Protection From Natural Disasters – Wind Resistance – Maintenance Free – Flexible Window/Door Locations – Construction by Local Labor (Local Content) 100% Green Materials – Warranty Period 20 Years 1 Year Construction Time 1 to 2 Weeks 6 Weeks Security Excellent Vulnerable Aesthetics Architecturally Stunning! Below Average
Dome homes and structures are strong and quick to build. Although they do NOT share the low cost, square corners, aesthetic appeal and the traditional look provided by the MAS™ system, they are an excellent choice when large spans are required such as stadiums and large warehouses. Two very reputable companies that provide dome structures are Monolithic and Dome Technology. Both these companies provide dome solutions, engineering, forming and construction supplies.
The MAS™ systems are connectable allowing for an unlimited sq. ft. solution at a price significantly less than domes. However when large heights and large clear spans in excess of 36′ are required, the dome is an excellent solution. The comparison chart below provides a feature by feature comparison of the MAS™ homes vs. the Dome homes.
- Click to View a Comparison Table Between the MAS-570™, MAS-1300™ and the Dome home
MAS-570™
MAS-1300™
Dome Home
Size 570 sq. ft. 1300 sq. ft. 1300 sq. ft. Typical Price per sq. ft. $20 to $43 $18 to $40 $65 to $84 Durability 200 Years+ 200 Years + 200 Years + (Except Exterior Membrane) Typical Ceiling Height 12 Feet 18 Feet Flexible 100% Concrete Exterior YES YES YES, But Under Exterior Membrane Integral Roof YES YES YES, But Under Exterior Membrane Square Corners – Monolithic Construction Clear Span Interiors Unlimited Interior Floor Plans Protection From Natural Disasters Wind Resistance Maintenance Free – Flexible Window/Door Locations Construction by Local Labor (Local Content) Green Materials – Warranty Period 20 Years 20 Years 1 Year Construction Time 1 to 2 Weeks 1 to 2 Weeks 1 to 2 Weeks Security Excellent Excellent Excellent Aesthetics Architecturally Stunning! Architecturally Stunning! Poor
MAS™ Solution vs. Traditional “Stick” Construction
- Labor: 100% of labor is done locally just like the MAS™ system. Labor skill level is high and significantly more per hour than required for the MAS™ system. The man-hours for construction are several thousand (5 to 6 months). The man-hours for construction for the MAS™ system are 488 worst case (2 weeks).
- Cost: A MAS™ home costs less, is faster to build and is overwhelming a stronger more robust home. States, Cities and Counties, can use the MAS™ in field training options, to train unskilled workers, to re-energize a non-employed segment of their community. This training offers continuing education credit and allows the unemployed to gain skills and certifications that are in high demand.
- Vulnerability: Stick houses are inherently susceptible to damage during natural disasters, however with better building material and stricter building codes their survivability has improved over time but at an increase in construction costs. However this quality and durability is so far below that offered by a MAS™ home that making any comparison is ridiculous. With a lower cost, faster build time, massively stronger structure with virtually NO maintenance, there would be ZERO reasons to choose an average residential stick built home over a MAS™ home. It would just defy logic!.
- Solution: Stick built homes are the primary building method worldwide and have been the most cost effective and flexible solution until the invention of MAS™. With the ultra-low cost and high durability of a MAS™ home … even low cost, low end homes built the “stick” way, are obsolete for a typical residential home. A MAS™ home can be built that will outlive you, your kids and your kids kids with virtually NO maintenance, at far less cost, in just a week or two. The MAS™ home is the WORLDS housing solution and will change the way people view home quality, safety and longevity.
The MAS™ Solution leaves the economy and the structure strong and lasting in the locale it was built in. A MAS™ home is a monument to the developer and builder. Anything else will be a fleeting negative memory. A MAS™ home can easily be customized to represent any culture or local design for ZERO additional costs!
- Click to View a Comparison Table Between the MAS™ Homes and Traditional Stick Construction
MAS-570™
MAS-1300™
Standard Stick Construction
Size 570 sq. ft. 1300 sq. ft. Flexible Typical Price per sq. ft. $20 to $43 $18 to $40 $80 to $100 Durability 200 Years+ 200 Years+ 1 to 5 years w/o maintenance Typical Ceiling Height 12 Feet 18 Feet 8 to 9 feet, otherwise not cost effective 100% Concrete Exterior YES YES NO Square Corners Integral Roof – Monolithic Construction – Clear Span Interiors YES YES Cost Prohibitive Unlimited Interior Floor Plans Protection from Natural Disasters – Wind Resistance YES YES POOR Maintenance Free – Flexible Window/Door Locations Green Materials YES YES Cost Prohibitive Warranty Period 20 Years 20 Years 1 Year Construction Time 1 to 2 Weeks 1 to 2 Weeks 5 to 6 Months Security Excellent Excellent Vulnerable Aesthetics Architecturally Stunning! Architecturally Stunning! Costly
MAS™ Solution vs. Modular homes
- Labor: 90% of a modular home can be completed in a factory. This can be accomplished in 1 week. However, the community that is receiving this module unit does not benefit from this labor unless the module factory is local. Labor for the MAS™ system is done 100% locally. With module homes being used primarily for low income solutions, the purchase process often times involves a local government agency. A modular home takes 8 to 10 weeks to construct on site which is significantly more than the 1 to 2 weeks it takes to build a MAS™ home. However it is much better than the 5 to 6 months it takes to build standard “stick” construction.
- Cost: A MAS™ home costs less, is faster to build and is overwhelming a stronger more robust home. States, Cities and Counties, can use the MAS™ in field training options, to train unskilled workers, to re-energize a non-employed segment of their community. This training offers continuing education credit and allows the unemployed to gain skills and certifications that are in high demand.
- Vulnerability: Modern day pre-fab houses are often constructed of a quality similar to low end “stick” built houses as they have come a long way since they were first introduced. However this quality and durability is so far below that offered by a MAS™ home that making any comparison is ridiculous. With a lower cost, faster build time, massively stronger structure with virtually NO maintenance, there would be ZERO reasons to choose a modular home over a MAS™ home. It would just defy logic!.
- Solution: Modular homes were a great solution before MAS™ for fast construction, low cost, low end homes. The modular industry has done a great job a increasing quality and lowering cost through engineering, quality control and assembly line production. However, the introduction of the MAS™ solution by Southern Utah University has made the modular home obsolete over night. Why would someone contract for a more costly, longer build time, less durable, higher maintenance home when you can have a MAS™ home that will outlive you, your kids and your kids kids with virtually NO maintenance, at far less cost, in just a week or two. The answer: THEY WOULD’NT. The MAS™ home is the WORLDS housing solution and will change the way people view home quality, safety and longevity.
The MAS™ Solution leaves the economy and the structure strong and lasting in the locale it was built in. A MAS™ home is a monument to the developer and builder. Anything else will be a fleeting negative memory. A MAS™ home can easily be customized to represent any culture or local design for ZERO additional costs!
See also the MAS™ FAQ area about the differences between Pre-fab, Modular & Manufactured homes.