b'prefabs come of ageWhen Georgina Pearces bungalow in the Christchurch suburb of Burwood was written off after the Canterbury earthquakes, she didnt want to move elsewhere in the city. But it would be months before she could even get site consent to build a new home on her own property let alone construct a house using conventional methods. Her son Alan had a brain wave. He suggested buying a prefabricated home with pre-approved building consent that could be built off-site and so save time. At a cost of just $163,000 from Laing Properties, the 95sq m Mamaku house fitted her needs and budget exactly. Building consent was issued for the foundations in late July 2012 andconstructionbeganinAugust.Bythistime,thehousewas Prefab homes used to be cheapalready under construction in Laings yard. Says Grant Laing: With a and plain. But with designer inputconventional house, you cant begin construction of the new home until the site consent is obtained. Compared to building a conventional and improved technologies, thesehouse, Georgina saved at least three months in construction time. homes are a solution for now andShe is thrilled with her new home. With interiors painted in various strengths of Resene Tea, its sunny, bright and so warm compared the future.with my old house, thanks to double glazing and its very well-finished. 54'