From the earliest stages of a project right through to completion, builders deal with hundreds of decisions each day. Most of these relate to the age-old cost vs quality conundrum. Twin imperatives drive us: delivering the best possible homes for clients while maximising our own profits.

‘In the building industry, the allure of cost-effectiveness often leads to the assumption that cheaper parts equate to the most economical solution. However, this conventional wisdom doesn't always hold true,’ says Tim Rossiter, MiTek General Manager Building Solutions Asia Pacific.

Why? Because time also equals money – a product with a slightly higher upfront price tag could deliver significant savings by speeding up construction times and requiring less labour.

To prove this point and to help builders make more informed decisions about maximising both quality and cost-effectiveness across their projects, MiTek recently conducted a comparative side-by-side build project. The aim was to see how traditional building methods hold up against the MiTek Posi-Strut system in terms of cost, quality and build time.

Two homes were constructed by Innovative Design & Build Group in Brisbane, each identical in every way except for the structural floor installation: one of the builds used I-joist and materials purchased separately and assembled on site, and the other used the Posi-Strut Flooring system – including No Floor Hangers (NFH). The actual costs and timing were meticulously captured to compare the price and efficiency of the two builds, with trades providing unbiased feedback.

Design, make, build

In an industry where speed and reliability are paramount, MiTek is at the forefront of innovation, delivering structural framing solutions designed to improve onsite efficiencies and help HIA members meet ever-tighter construction schedules.

‘MiTek’s unique approach is underpinned by our collaborative Design-Make-Build® process, which integrates efficient off-site construction methods into the concept and design phase,’ Tim says.

‘With a Design-Make-Build approach, significant parts of the building – such as the flooring or roofing system – are designed and prefabricated to custom specifications off-site for simplified installation during the build phase. This approach minimises waste, reduces risk, improves quality, and significantly accelerates the building schedule.’

Working with Posi-Strut

Combining timber’s workability with steel’s strength, Posi-Strut joists are up to 50 per cent lighter than conventional joists, making handling both easier and safer. Plus, their unique ‘open web’ design provides access to plumbing, electrical and air conditioning services – no cutting needed.

Warren Jones, Managing Director of Innovative Design and Build Group, says the trades involved in the comparative build project enjoyed Posi-Strut’s ease of handling. ‘The Posi system was good overall. Our trades love it because you don't need to screw anything or drill anything out. It makes running services through joist systems ten times easier.’ 

A clear winner

In terms of both cost and performance, the results of MiTek’s side-by-side build test were definitive.

‘When all material costs were considered, including sub-floor timber and hangers, steel beams, columns and framing bulkheads, the Posi-Strut floor system emerged as 2 per cent cheaper than I-joist. Labour costs were 65 per cent cheaper for the Posi-Strut system, resulting in a completed floor that was 10 per cent less expensive than I-joist,’ Tim Rossiter says.

So, building with Posi-Strut is cheaper. But – perhaps even more importantly – the test build proved that it’s also significantly faster. ‘The Posi-Strut house achieved a time saving of five days (or 30 per cent faster), which translates into reduced labour costs,’ Tim says. ‘A faster build also helps with the cash flow and frees up time to take on additional work.’

The trades’ choice

Warren Jones says Posi-Strut is now his preferred method for floor construction. ‘The speed and efficiency of this job compared to our previous ones is like chalk and cheese. We have really streamlined the way we do things,’ he says. ‘I'm all for embracing technological advancements. There's definitely a reason why we haven't stopped using Posi. We're using them for all our projects now and will continue to.’

Tim Rossiter adds: ‘When evaluating construction methods, it's essential to look beyond the initial cost considerations and assess the holistic value proposition. With its proven track record of efficiency, affordability and enhanced performance, the Posi-Strut floor system emerges as a compelling choice for HIA members.’

To learn more about why MiTek Posi-Strut is a better way to build, check out this video of the comparative build project.

First published on 30 September 2024