Written 28 October 2026. NSW builders pricing social housing want proof that modular delivers on real sites. Three modular homes at Shellharbour went from approval to completion in 14 to 16 weeks, the NSW Government reported on 9 February 2026. Homes NSW completed 8 MMC homes in 2025 and plans 90 MMC homes by the end of 2026. Those are the figures that will shape the next round of NSW tenders.
What Shellharbour shows
The point is not only the weeks. It is that the clock ran from approval, not from the start of fabrication. That tells builders the approval, the factory and the site were lined up so nothing waited on anything else. A builder who wants that outcome has to plan the same way, from the first meeting.
The wider budget backs this. The 2026-27 NSW Budget put $6.6bn into 8,400 social homes. With Homes NSW lifting its MMC target, more tenders will ask how a builder will deliver factory-built homes. See modular social housing in NSW for the agency context.
Why modular fits NSW social housing
Social housing repeats plans across many sites. Builders face trade shortages across the state. Factory-built homes take most of the trade work off site, so a small site crew can handle footings, services and finishing. Tenants and neighbours see a shorter build.
Repeat plans also help the certifier and the engineer. Once the first home is checked, the same module details carry through to the next sites, so later approvals deal mostly with the site, the slab and the service connections rather than the whole house again. That is where a builder can keep a program moving across a number of lots at once.
What EcoPrestige supplies
EcoPrestige supplies engineered structural steel volumetric modules to the builder who holds the head contract with Homes NSW or a community housing provider. We do not take the head contract or the site. We supply:
- Home modules built and inspected in the factory
- Module structural documentation for your engineer
- Factory inspection records for each module
- Lift and setdown details for your crane contractor
- A supply price quoted for your site
What does not fit
Steep or narrow lots, streets with tight overhead lines and homes with plans still changing are harder. A modular answer also needs crane access close to the slab. Where those are missing, we will say so before you price it.
The approval path in NSW
Homes are typically Class 1a, confirmed by your building surveyor. In NSW, Class 1 buildings have no designer registration, certification is by a registered certifier, and homes need BASIX. Class 2, 3 and 9c buildings need a registered design practitioner and registered engineer under the Design & Building Practitioners Act until the 2026 Act commences. EcoPrestige coordinates the module design with your consultants; permit drawings are issued by the registered or licensed practitioner the state requires. Confirm with your building surveyor or certifier. Our page on the NSW prefab law covers what the new Act changes.
The programme
To get close to what Shellharbour showed, run the streams together. Approvals and site works on one side. Fabrication and factory inspection on the other. Book the trucks and crane as soon as the slab date is firm. Your team then connects and finishes. Time on site is shorter because nothing waits.
What to send us
- 1. The tender or agency brief
- 2. Site addresses and lot details
- 3. The home plans and bedroom mix
- 4. Your certifier, engineer and BASIX assessor
- 5. The target handover date
For other NSW programs, see key worker housing in NSW and transportable buildings in NSW.
Frequently asked questions
How long did the Shellharbour modular homes take?
Three modular homes at Shellharbour went from approval to completion in 14 to 16 weeks, the NSW Government reported on 9 February 2026.
How many MMC homes does Homes NSW plan?
Homes NSW plans 90 MMC homes by the end of 2026, after completing 8 MMC homes in 2025.
Who certifies homes in NSW?
A registered certifier. Homes also need BASIX. Confirm with your building surveyor or certifier.
Does EcoPrestige hold the Homes NSW contract?
No. The builder holds the head contract and the site. EcoPrestige supplies the modules.
What NCC class are social housing homes in NSW?
Homes are typically Class 1a, confirmed by your building surveyor.
Price your next NSW social housing tender with modules
Send the site, the use and any drawings to prebuilt@ecoprestige.com.au or download our technical brochures.