All you need to know about our panellised MMC build system.

At Etopia, we do not have a minimum order requirement; however, to maximise the efficiency of our two factories and reduce out-turn costs, it is beneficial to have repeated house types. This facilitates reduced design and installation costs and allows stocks of panels to be maintained, further reducing lead times.

At Etopia, we can provide a turnkey solution through our partnership with main contractors. If you require a turnkey solution, we can introduce several main contractors from our panel, that know our system and that best fits your requirements; this may be a geographical, capacity or framework approval-led selection. Alternatively, we can provide a list of main contractors we work with. Etopia will be a named subcontractor in this process, ensuring project success as we deliver what we specialise in, and the Main Contractor delivers what they specialise in.

Etopia can offer a turnkey solution when we work in partnership with main contractors. We act as a named supplier or sub-contractor to a main contractor or developer. We have our own subcontract suite if required, or alternatively, we can work with most contract types such as JCTs, NECs or Domestic subcontracts.

We require a minimum of 6 weeks for the design of all house types or blocks of houses on a development and another 4 weeks to produce the panels at our UK factories.

The construction industry is suffering from material shortages, and we are finding that our timber suppliers (for trusses and joists) currently have a 12-week lead-in time. If the customer has another supplier they prefer to use, we will gladly collaborate with them, although this may impact costs.

Design Development (RIBA [Royal Institute of British Architects] Stages 2-3) – this service is free of charge.

Initial costing exercise to identify a guide price for the superstructure building fabric, including but not limited to Etopia system, intermediate floors, internal walls (excluding dry lining) and roof structures. A structural engineer will provide a general guide on additional structural requirements (steel beams, sway frame, etc.)

Detailed Design (RIBA Stages 3-4) – Detailed design costs will be determined on a scheme-by-scheme basis, confirmed by a letter of intent or PCS. If the scheme does not progress to contract, the agreed costs will be payable. If the scheme progresses to contract, the design costs will be absorbed into the contract cost.

Provide support to the architect in the development of their technical design package in the form of:

• Co-ordination of interface details with; doors, windows, floors, roof, and substructure.
• Etopia construction set drawings to include plans, elevations, and sections for tendering purposes.
• Specification of the Etopia system.
• Full costing of the Etopia system.
• Structural Engineer to provide full and comprehensive structural calculations and drawings.
• Review of panellised building to check construction details, determine point and line loads to allow for calculation of foundation requirements (validated by client’s own engineer).

If you already have planning permission, we can still panelise your designs with a minimal (if any) change of position to fenestrations and doors.

We can panelise a building at any stage of the construction process. The sooner we are involved, the sooner we can work with you to rationalise or value-engineer your designs to make the most efficient and cost-effective use of the panellised system.

We have developed our own accreditation scheme for installers to certify their competence to erect homes using the Etopia system. To be accepted on the scheme, installers must attend approved training courses and be assessed on their skills and competence throughout the erection process.

Our installers use state-of-the-art technology, including laser alignment to ensure that the system has been installed correctly. These systems also increase the speed that panels can be erected, tracking each panel from manufacture to site and installation. Producing a fully auditable digital review. The system also captures geo-located photos of the install as part of the QA process. These photos can also be used to satisfy the requirements of the new Part L regulations.

Payments will be requested at the following intervals:

1. When the order is placed (10%).
2. Approval of designs (formal customer sign off) (10%).
3. On call off (30%)
4. Completion to joist level (25%)
5. Completion to trusses (25%).

Etopia is BIM level 2 ready. We will produce a Revit model shared with the architect and other appointed consultants to assist with co-ordination and the production of a federated model. We will collaborate with the contractor and consultants to ensure we comply with the BIM Execution Plan (BEP) and the employer information requirements (EIRs).

Our partnership with Samsung means we can supply you with Air source heat pumps (ASHP). The pump can then be installed and commissioned by your M&E contractor.

Each scheme is assigned a project manager from concept to completion to assist you in your transition to zero carbon ready MMC homes. This includes support with:

• Assimilating the Etopia system into your standard development programme.
• Designing homes using the Etopia system and suggesting changes to the design to maximise the benefits of the system. Most changes are minimal to a maximum of 10-20mm – not affecting existing planning permission.
• Rationalising costs to consider the add/omits for the Etopia system.
• Co-ordinating call down/delivery/installation/quality.
• Managing the installation process, including deployment of our digital quality assurance process.

NHBC Accepts

With over 80 years’ experience, they are recognised by homeowners and trusted by builders and all major lenders. Their purpose is to build confidence in the construction quality of new homes by assessing, inspecting and directly insuring new homes registered with them.

nhbc.co.uk

BOPAS – Project Management of Design, Manufacture & Construction

The Build offsite Property Assurance Scheme is a risk based evaluation which demonstrates to funders, lenders, valuers and purchasers that homes built from non-traditional methods and materials will stand the test of time for at least 60 years. 

bopas.org

ISO 9001, 14001, & 45001

The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries.

iso.org

One Carbon World, Gold Standard

A global resource partner of the United Nations Climate Neutral Now initiative and a not for profit organisation. They are recognised for offering advice and support on measuring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions around the world.

onecarbonworld.com/gold-standard

Our initial interactions with the market have helped us identify ways to make the Etopia system even faster, easier, and more cost-effective. Within our existing factories, we will combine our smaller panels into larger panels. Through this method, we could provide the walls for the average three-bedroom house with only 12 lifts.

The quality control and accuracy on our builds is exceptional; the press measures each large panel format wall to <1 mm accuracy. All internal battening can be fitted prior to delivery with the same accuracy meaning placement of interior finishes is simpler, quicker, and more cost-effective.

We are developing the Etopia Management System (EMS), which allows full integration of project management and quality control, from raw materials to final delivery on-site.