The main difference between precast and prefabricated concrete is that precast concrete construction involves making concrete by pouring it into reusable molds (called ‘casts’) in a factory or controlled environment. On the other hand, prefabricated concrete construction means making any building part (not just concrete) off-site.
Put another way:
Precast and prefabricated concrete construction are both modern building methods where parts of a building are made somewhere else (not at the final site) and then trucked to the construction site for assembly. Seemingly the same concept, but there are some key differences between the two.
This blog uncovers exactly these differences between precast and prefabricated concrete construction. First let’s understand the basics.
What is Precast Concrete Construction?
Precast concrete means concrete made in a factory.
Instead of pouring concrete on the site (like in conventional methods), precast concrete is made by pouring concrete into molds in a controlled environment — then cured, transported, and installed at the site.
But how is it different from cast-in-place concrete? See, cast-in-place concrete is poured and cured on-site. Whereas, precast concrete elements are made off-site and brought to the site for the sake of better quality control. Simple process but high precision.
In short, precast concrete construction is faster, cleaner, and brings more quality.
Let us tell you a fact: precast construction isn’t new! Ancient Romans used precast-like techniques for aqueducts and tunnels. But John Alexander Brodie from Liverpool gets the credit for modern precast tech in the early 1900s.
Furthermore, precast concrete is used to make walls, beams, columns, slabs, manholes, boundary walls, septic tanks, U-drains, culverts, and more. Even complete buildings can be built using precast panels!
The real-world examples of precast concrete construction are
- Metro projects (pillars, segments)
- Flyovers
- Compound walls
- Smart city infrastructure
- Commercial/residential buildings (in urban areas)
Benefits of Precast Concrete:
- Faster construction.
- Consistent quality.
- Reduced site work.
- Less labor needed on-site.
- Weather-independent production.
- Reusable molds = cost savings for scale projects.
Types of Precast Concrete Construction
There are several types to choose from. Here are four common types:
1. Precast concrete walls: Precast concrete boundary walls and precast concrete compound walls are large, rectangular panels used to create exterior or interior walls. But nowadays, these walls are used for decorative purposes also.
Read more: Types of Walls
2. Factory-made concrete beams and columns: Precast concrete beams are horizontal structures that bear loads and receive support at both ends by columns. Precast concrete columns provide structural support to buildings, flyovers, and bridges.
3. Precast concrete slabs and planks: These are flat panels for floor or roof construction purposes. They are typically long, thin sections that are transported and installed at the construction site.
4. Pre-made concrete stairs: These pre-manufactured staircases are widely used in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings because they are durable, low-maintenance, and cost-effective.
What is Prefabricated Concrete Construction?
Prefab Construction = Building Components Constructed Offsite, Assembled Onsite
Instead of building everything at the site, parts of a building (like walls, slabs, beams, and even small building structures) are made in a factory. Then, they are transported to the site and installed.
Does it sound similar to precast concrete construction? Yes. But precast and prefabricated concrete constructions differ in one aspect. Precast is exclusively concrete, but prefab can also refer to the pre-manufacturing of other building components (steel, timber, etc.).
Prefabs are most common in structures with repeated units — like columns of a bridge, dividers between the highways, housing colonies, hostels, hospitals, offices, etc.
In simple terms, prefabricated concrete construction deals only with casting concrete, but the prefab method is more than that. We can create steel sections, glass panels, and pre-cut timbers along with concrete using the prefab method.
In short, prefab construction is the future of construction in India because it is faster, cleaner, higher quality, and more cost-effective. All this made up an ideal solution for large projects and urban infrastructures.
Major Benefits of Prefab
- Faster project completion.
- Less site congestion.
- Better quality control.
- Reduced labor at the site.
- Weather-proof production.
- Cleaner & safer work environment.
- Less material waste.
- Cost-effective for large projects.
- No rain, no dust, no scaffolding risks.
And last but not least, prefab construction is greener than most people think!
Precast and Prefabricated Concrete: Main Differences
How NYGGS Construction ERP Supports Precast and Prefabricated Concrete Construction
Whether you’re building on-site or assembling factory-made components, NYGGS ERP for Construction makes the process automated and faster. Here’s how:
For Precast Concrete Projects
Production Planning & Scheduling
- Plan mold usage
- Track curing timelines
- Optimize batch production
Inventory Management
- Monitor cement, aggregates, steel usage in real-time
- Maintain stock levels for molds, admixtures, etc.
Quality Control
- Record concrete mix designs
- Log compressive strength results
- Ensure standard curing procedures are followed
Asset & Equipment Tracking
- Schedule maintenance for casting beds, cranes, vibrators
- Reduce equipment downtime
Logistics & Delivery
- Plan dispatch of finished precast panels
- Track location, delivery time, and unloading on-site
For Prefabricated Construction Projects
Project Coordination
- Manage manufacturing timelines vs. site readiness
- Track which units are ready for assembly
Material Procurement
- Forecast material needs across factory & site
- Avoid delays due to missing steel, glass, fasteners, etc.
Labor & Contractor Management
- Assign factory teams & site crews
- Track productivity across locations
Cost Tracking
- Compare planned vs. actual cost per component
- Identify wastage, leakage, or delay-related costs
Compliance & Documentation
- Centralize design files, QA reports, material test certificates
- Ensure compliance with client and regulatory standards
Bonus Benefits for Both Methods
- Real-time Dashboard for All Stakeholders
- Mobile App Access for On-site Engineers
- Faster Client Billing & Payment Tracking
- Integrated HR & Payroll for labor teams
- Site photo uploads & daily reports
In short, NYGGS Construction ERP helps you build precast and prefabricated concrete construction faster, smarter, and more profitably. Schedule a demo today and learn how we can help you!