Prefabricated wooden housing qualification based on regulatory compliance, complexity, and sustainability in central Chile

Abstract

This study reviews the background information published by manufacturers of prefabricated wooden housing in central Chile. The methodology carries out the investigation using digital sales and internal tax service media. It uses regulatory-technical compliance, complexity, and sustainability to rate prefabricated homes in Chile’s Valparaíso, O'Higgins, and Metropolitan regions. 83% of the companies are “construction-manufacturers”, while 83% are legally constituted. As for complexity, it is revealed that, for larger projects, 54% have a low level, 35% have a medium level, and 11% have a high level. There are weaknesses in regulatory compliance and in technical information for potential clients, with sustainability being the least prominent attribute, as few explain data such as carbon footprint, recycling of materials, or voluntary certifications to differentiate themselves in the market. It is concluded that there is a lack of actions to strengthen this productive sector, which has industrialization potential, by incorporating management and regulation, which would reduce the territorial insecurity for self-construction.