Prefab Home Transport Rules Halt Deliveries

New transport regulations restricting the movement of fully built prefabricated homes on national highways are creating challenges for local builders, with several completed homes now unable to be delivered to their owners. The updated rules limit how structures can be transported, leaving some projects on hold.

Earlier today, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Transport Chester Williams met with builders to discuss possible temporary solutions while the policy is reviewed. Options such as police escorts and nighttime transport were raised to allow already constructed homes to be moved.

Williams said recent incidents involving prefab home transport were not caused by negligence. “Looking at the video in respect of both incidents, it is clear that those involved in movement of the homes complied with the requirements of their permits,” he said, noting the homes were properly lit and had front and rear escorts. He added that “one can argue that the accidents were not because of the houses being moved at nighttime.”

Under the current guidelines, Williams explained that homes measuring twenty feet wide or less may be transported whole, while wider structures must be moved in pieces. He acknowledged that this has placed builders in a difficult position. “I believe in being fair the homes have been constructed, it would be unfair to say tear down the homes and take it in pieces. That would double the cost to consumers,” Williams said, adding that authorities will explore assisted transport options for those homes.

Any permanent changes to the regulations will require Cabinet approval. In the meantime, builders have agreed to produce public notices and an infomercial to inform the public about prefab home transportation as discussions continue.