Current:Home > StocksWhy it's so hard to mass produce houses in factories -Core Financial Strategies
Why it's so hard to mass produce houses in factories
View
Date:2025-04-18 20:52:08
Imagine if we built cars the same way we build houses. First, a typical buyer would meet with the car designer, and tell them what kind of car they want. Then the designer would draw up plans for the car. The buyer would call different car builders in their town and show them the blueprints. And the builders might say, "Yeah, I can build you that car based on this blueprint. It will cost $1 million and it will be ready in a year and a half."
There are lots of reasons why homes are so expensive in the U.S., zoning and land prices among them. But also, the way we build houses is very slow and very inefficient. So, why don't we build homes the way we build so many other things, by mass producing them in a factory?
In this episode, the century-old dream of the factory-built house, and the possibility of a prefab future.
This episode was produced by Emma Peaslee. Molly Messick edited the show, and it was fact-checked by Sierra Juarez. Brian Jarboe mastered the episode. Jess Jiang is our acting Executive Producer.
Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.
Always free at these links: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, NPR One or anywhere you get podcasts.
Find more Planet Money: Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.
Music: "Collectible Kicks," "The Spaghetti Westerner," and Razor Sharp"
veryGood! (2)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- And Just Like That’s Season 2 Trailer Shows Carrie Bradshaw Reunite with an Old Flame
- California’s New Cap-and-Trade Plan Heads for a Vote—with Tradeoffs
- Brie Larson's Lessons in Chemistry Release Date Revealed
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Humpback Chub ‘Alien Abductions’ Help Frame the Future of the Colorado River
- Florida woman who shot Black neighbor through door won't face murder charge
- Florida woman who shot Black neighbor through door won't face murder charge
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- What is a heat dome? What to know about the weather phenomenon baking Texas
Ranking
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Disaster Displacement Driving Millions into Exile
- Kim Cattrall Returning to And Just Like That Amid Years of Feud Rumors
- Microinsurance Protects Poor Farmers Facing Increasing Risks from Climate Change
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- National Governments Are Failing on Clean Energy in All but 3 Areas, IEA says
- U.S. Power Plant Emissions Fall to Near 1990 Levels, Decoupling from GDP Growth
- The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is a game changer for U.S. women. Here's why.
Recommendation
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
Judge Blocks Keystone XL Pipeline, Says Climate Impact Can’t Be Ignored
Half a Loaf: Lawmakers Vote to Keep Some Energy Funds Trump Would Cut
Trump’s ‘Energy Dominance’ Push Ignores Some Important Realities
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
American Climate Video: The Driftwood Inn Had an ‘Old Florida’ Feel, Until it Was Gone
World’s Youth Demand Fair, Effective Climate Action
Trump Plan Would Open Huge Area of Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve to Drilling