Frequently Asked Questions

If we take a standard 3-bedroom house, once built to the same spec, both a modular home and a traditionally built home would look and function very much the same; the owner would not be able to tell the difference.

We also have a temporary modular accommodation that is built to be relocated and has a lifespan of over 60 years.

1. Quality and compliance – The fact that we are building a modular builder that owns the process from concept to completion means that we are directly employing all the details and trades, which means there are no gaps in terms of ownership and reasonability. Plus, the fact that our buildings are manufactured off-site in a controlled environment results in an enhanced product.
2. Speed of delivery – modular buildings reduce the time of construction by up to 50%
3. Security – If the location of the building is sensitive (military, ‘list X’ ) or live (school), then selecting to deliver your building using a modular approach vastly reduces not just the time of people on site, but also the number of people on site
4. Cost – With modular delivery, we can define project costs with greater accuracy from the outset. Rollalong provides clients with cost certainty and reduces the risk of budget overruns.

When you work with Rollalong, you’re not just buying a building. You’re gaining a complete, multi-disciplinary team, including designers, quantity surveyors, project managers, and a fully accredited supply chain, all working together to deliver your project efficiently and to the highest quality standards.

There have been high-profile issues in the modular sector involving new players. These have grabbed the headlines, and like bad news, travel fast and wide. We must put that in the same context as other businesses in the construction sector. Let’s face it, construction can be a difficult business to be in.

Research shows that the probability of a modular provider going under is lower than that of many other parts of the construction market. For example, the average age of a modular company is 16.1 years, and while 21 modular businesses went into administration in the past three years, this represents less than 2.5% of recorded construction business failures. By comparison, 84 times as many M&E businesses failed in the same period.

In short, choosing modular construction is often safer than traditional methods, though it’s always sensible to carry out some basic due diligence.

1. Trading history – Longevity matters. Companies that have weathered economic challenges like COVID, wars, or high inflation are more likely to be stable. Rollalong, for example, has been trading for over 90 years.
2. Order book diversity – Suppliers focused on multiple sectors (e.g., residential, defence, education) are more resilient. A company that relies solely on one sector is vulnerable to policy, funding, or market fluctuations.
3. Payment terms – If a business requires a large upfront payment for materials (>10%), this flags cashflow concerns. A strong modular business should give you milestone payments, such as a design freeze (for design costs). With most projects, the next payment should be the vesting of the finished buildings as they come down the production line, then site works on monthly valuations. If the modular builder cannot cashflow the work in progress to vesting, ask why. If we are getting into >£10-20m projects with long delivery schedules and specialist equipment such as lifts, then the client-to-manufacturer relationship should support cash flow. But it should be linked to materials, supported by invoices, and not to cover labour costs.
4. Ownership structure – Check who owns and actively runs the company. UK-based owners with an ongoing active role typically indicate stability. History shows that modular companies reliant solely on private equity can be higher risk if issues arise.
5. People first – Construction is a long-term collaboration. Meet at least one director listed on Companies House and assess whether you trust and can build a working relationship with them. This personal connection is crucial if challenges occur during the project.

Production times vary with building size, but a standard modular building can pass through our factory in around 4 weeks. Altogether, this means a typical project takes roughly 14 weeks from initial idea to handing over the keys.

There are exceptions for certain building classes, state-funded schools, and specialist projects (The Town and Country Planning), but it’s always essential to check with your local authority. Don’t assume a temporary building is automatically exempt; seek advice before proceeding.