Nestron’s Plug-and-Play Prefabs Start at $40K and Don’t Require a Foundation
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Nestron was started in 2012 by Lawrence Xu, who dreamt of leveraging cutting-edge technology to transform the construction industry. Ten years in, the company now produces eight steel-frame models that roll off the factory floor "ready to live in, just as a car that leaves the manufacturing site is ready to drive," says Xu. Equipped with furniture, appliances, and a robust structures that don’t require a foundation, the prefabs only need utility hook-ups after being positioned on-site—a procedure that typically takes a few hours, says Xu.
Here, we speak with him to hear about what a customer can expect when purchasing a Nestron prefab.
Nestron says its one-piece galvanized steel frames can withstand earthquakes, hurricanes, high humidity, and over fifteen years of use without rusting.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve realized to date?
One of our most exciting projects involved collaborating with a California client who wanted to create a tiny-house community for short-term rentals. The project includes nine of our L2 models in both its one- and two-bedroom designs.
While Nestron’s prefabs are advertised as one-bedroom homes, their layouts can be adjusted to to be used as an office or lounge.
What does your base models cost and what does that pricing include?
Nestron offers a range of basic models with prices ranging from $40,000 to $90,000, and sizes from 260 to 390 square feet. Each comes with its own set of features and includes basic appliances and furnishings.
What qualities make your prefab stand apart from the rest?
What sets Nestron’s houses apart are their "completeness": they are made ready to live in, just as a car that leaves the manufacturing site is ready to drive. We aim to incorporate habitable features upon completion of production without further on-site construction.
The Cube 2 (shown above) is 330 square feet. Nestron also offers the smaller 250-square-foot Cube 1 and the larger 330-square-foot Cube 2X.
Where are Nestron’s prefabs currently available?
We have fulfilled shipments to the U.K. and Canada. By the end of 2024, we will have completed shipments to Texas, New York, and California, as well as another to the Atlantic provinces in Canada.
Is your design currently pre-permitted in any U.S. municipalities?
Yes, our designs are pre-permitted. This is mainly due to our built-to-order standards, which allow us to comply not only with U.S. standards but also CSA standards and building codes worldwide. For example, we had one of our C2 units pre-approved for Anchorage, Alaska, via the IRC code. The certification process for CSA standards is also currently in progress.
Nestron offers multiple finishes: minimalist, Scandinavian, futuristic, ranch/country, or contemporary. The units can also come empty if someone wants to outfit a prefab themselves.
Are there plans to expand to different parts of the world?
Primarily driven by our clients’ demands, our primary focus remains on North America. However, we are keeping an open mind about extending our dealership presence to diverse regions worldwide, including New Zealand, Australia, Asia, and beyond.
The finishes are highly customizable. At Nestron’s website, clients can choose their desired colorings for both the exterior and interior through the kind of interface you would find in an image-editing application.
How long can a client expect the process to take after they put down a deposit?
After a client places a deposit, our typical process unfolds as follows:
- Deposit and Confirmation: three to five working days for planning and confirmation.
- Remaining Payment: After finalizing order details, production takes 90 to 120 days.
- Production Updates: Regular communication on production progress.
- Virtual Live Inspection: Client satisfaction check before shipping.
- Shipping and Delivery: Expect delivery within 30 to 50 days.
The walls are insulated with spray foam (polyurethane), helping to conserve inside temperatures, protect the interior against humidity, and soundproof the unit.
What aspects of an install do you manage?
- Logistics Management: We assist in arranging the logistics for transporting the prefab home from the port to the designated location. This involves coordinating the use of a crane and a flatbed truck for secure shipment.
- Unloading: Upon arrival at the site, the unloading of the prefab home from the truck is handled by the local installation team.
- Utility Connections: Local workers are responsible for connecting sewage, water, and electrical systems to ensure the prefab home is fully functional. This entire hook-up process usually takes less than three hours, excluding logistics.
In addition to these installation tasks, Nestron also offers services to assist customers with site design if required.
We prioritize business to business collaborations by providing practical and dependable after-sales services—including permit applications, utility connections, transportation, installation, and more—to foster mutually beneficial partnerships.
The units come with HVAC, lighting, electric blinds, a stereo, a range hood, a water heater, and an electric or gas stove. Nestron offers a rooftop solar array for an extra $23,000, smart bathroom appliances for anywhere between $1,400 and $3,300, and electric heating beneath the floors for $2,000.
What aspects of the design can a client customize?
Clients have the opportunity to personalize various aspects of a prefab’s design, allowing them to create a Nestron home that aligns perfectly with their tastes and requirements. These customization options include:
- Finishes
- Fixtures
- Appliances
- Layout Configurations
- Smart Home Features
Beyond these standard customization options, Nestron offers a personalized approach that provides mobility solutions tailored to both private and business requirements, including options for custom bulk purchases and premium personalization.
Aside from the Cube models, Nestron offers the Legend series (shown in the top image). The basic model is just less than 250 square feet. The Legend 2 is around 350 square feet, and the Legend 2X is closer to 390.
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