Modular Housing: The people’s survey from ARV Solutions

The collapse of multiple modular housing manufacturers across the UK has been well covered in the media. Financial failures, strategic missteps, and structural industry challenges have been analysed at length. But amidst all this, one crucial element has been missing. The voices of the people who built those factories, delivered the homes, and lived through the fallout.

At ARV Solutions, we’ve always believed that people are the backbone of any industry—and never more so than in modular and offsite construction. That’s why we recently ran a national survey of professionals who worked in the modular housing sector, many of whom were directly affected by the closures.

The response was overwhelming.

We heard from many individuals. Skilled Designers, Project Managers, Factory Leads, Engineers and more, sharing honest, often emotional reflections on what they experienced, what they learned, and where they’ve gone since.

The Key Headlines

While the full survey is featured in the latest issue of Offsite Magazine, here are a few highlights:

• A significant number of former modular professionals have now left the sector entirely.

• Many have transferred their skills into other areas of offsite or advanced manufacturing.

• Encouragingly, the majority said they would return to modular housing—if the conditions were right.

The feedback made one thing crystal clear: the modular housing sector developed a strong, capable workforce, and much of that talent is still within reach. But without listening to these professionals, understanding their experiences, and acting on their insights, the industry risks losing them for good.

Deeper Insights Beyond the Data

While the survey gave us a high-level view, the real value came in the comments. The personal stories, the lessons learned, and the thoughts about what needs to change for modular housing to succeed next time around.

We’re not sharing all of those details publicly. Not because they aren’t valuable, but because they deserve deeper discussion. For any investor, developer, or business considering entering or re-entering the modular space, these insights could prove essential.

This depth of knowledge was only possible because of the trust we’ve built over years of specialist recruitment in modular and offsite construction. People shared openly with us because they knew we understood the industry, its challenges, and its potential.

As the leading specialist recruitment partner, we’ve had a front-row seat to the rise (and in some cases, the fall) of wide ranging modular ventures. And we’ve been proud to support hundreds of professionals into meaningful, skilled work: many of whom are now shaping other sectors with their modular expertise.

What Happens Next?

If you’re considering launching a modular business, re-entering the space, or simply want to understand the real-world workforce dynamics behind the headlines—we’d welcome a conversation as part of your planning. This isn’t just data. It’s a lived reality that the industry can learn from.

We’ve seen the talent. We’ve heard their voices. Now it’s time the wider sector listened, too.

Want to talk?
Whether you’re planning a new modular venture or rebuilding after past lessons, we can help connect you with the right people—and the right insights—to build stronger foundations.

Contact us via the contact page or reach out to Jim Roach at jim.roach@arvsolutions.co.uk or on 07441 347328