Here is an overview of the permits, authorizations and documents needed to build a prefabricated house in wood, steel or concrete with time and costs to take into consideration.Due to the advantageous prices and relatively short lead times, many people are increasingly interested in the prefabricated house market.There are many types and, also based on how much you are willing to spend, they allow a high degree of customization.Furthermore, they are particularly suitable in areas with seismic risk where, thanks to their flexibility, they avoid structural damage and dangerous collapses.As with masonry constructions, it is necessary to involve technicians and designers to analyze the ground and obtain advice on the most suitable materials.In this in-depth guide on prefabricated houses we will see their strengths and weaknesses and - especially for those who are already convinced to proceed with the purchase - we will describe the necessary bureaucratic steps, the documents and the required authorizations.Widespread in northern Europe, prefabricated houses have been establishing themselves as an alternative choice to traditional buildings for some decades also in Italy.The reason?Undoubtedly the realization times - shorter - and the desire to opt for a green solution.In fact, the prefabricated modules are, to date, the most ecological and sustainable choice that can be made, both from the point of view of the materials used (very often wood) and for energy efficiency.Their construction consists in the assembly of several panels positioned one at a time and produced in series.This does not mean, however, that these homes are all the same.On the contrary, they can be customized by paying a little more and extending the timing of realization.The client, on the advice of the construction manager, can choose between different materials such as wood, steel or concrete with variable duration over time.For example, it is estimated that prefabricated buildings in wood last up to 30 years, while those in steel and concrete on the other hand up to 80.They are particularly suitable for those who live in seismic areas and for those who dream of an independent house from an energy point of view: in fact these houses totally (or almost completely) reduce the cost of bills.Prefabricated houses are in effect housing solutions and, for this reason, are subjected to the traditional bureaucratic process.The first essential step is the study of the land on which to lay the panels: in addition to being buildable, it must obtain the authorization from a specialized technician (often a surveyor or engineer).This investigation is functional to determine which materials are most suitable, how and where to place the panels and, subsequently, draw up the project.If the geologist's report ends with a go-ahead, at this point the bureaucratic process required by law can begin.The first thing to do is to file the house project with the civil engineering department of the relevant municipality.According to the local legislation in force, the Municipality may require:The company that takes care of the construction of the prefabricated building must communicate the start and end date of the construction site, in compliance with the Legislative Decree9 April 2008, n.81, regarding safety at work.If the area in question is at seismic risk, a further step is required: a seismic verification report of the building must be submitted to the Municipality.When dealing with the Public Administration and with the request for permits, a fundamental doubt concerns the waiting times.There are no deadlines set by law, these vary - even significantly - from municipality to municipality, however, taking an average, the procedure generally runs out within 6 months.Even if Italians today still prefer traditional masonry constructions, nevertheless the number of people who are interested in prefabricated houses is gradually increasing.The reason lies in the different "pros" of these constructions:As in everything, the aspects to pay particular attention to during the design phase must also be taken into consideration:Costs are undoubtedly the most interesting aspect.In fact, we tend to think that these houses have a more advantageous price than brick buildings.This was true until a few years ago, when prefabricated houses were rare exceptions, while now the costs are almost equal.Those who opt for this solution must do so not so much for the construction cost but for the future savings in terms of energy efficiency.A prefabricated house is certainly a green solution but not necessarily at a low price.The savings compared to brick houses are around 10-15% with an estimate of 1,500 euros per square meter to which VAT must be added.To this figure must be added other costs:For these types of homes, however, the State provides a wide range of deductions and discounts as they are eco-sustainable.Infobuild is registered at the Court of Milan n.63 of 8/3/2013 - ISSN 2282-2267