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The attention on prefabricated modules and components is resurging in the New Zealand residential construction industry. This is driven by its relative benefits and technological advancements. However inspite of this attention, there has not been commensurate understanding of its manufacturing supply chain and the enhancement of their performance. Similarly, there has been little research considering the supply chain and supply chain integration in module/component manufacturing in residential construction in New Zealand. Therefore, this paper presents a comprehensive overview of the modular manufacturing process and the barriers and enablers for supply chain integration in module manufacturing. The identified barriers are discussed with their relevant enablers. Information for the study investigation was collected through twelve semi-structured face to face interviews with prefabrication experts. The information obtained was analysed using content analysis that enabled the development of a framework that illustrates barriers and enablers for supply chain integration. Ad-hoc relationships, poor planning and scheduling, transporting of volumetric modules and information sharing are a few significant barriers in the manufacturing process of modular bathroom pods and wall panels in New Zealand. The proposed framework provides a guide for the wall panel and bathroom pods manufacturing companies to improve integration across their entire manufacturing process.

Establishing and prioritising the factors that may influence the final contract price when responding to a call for tenders is crucial for proper risk analysis and reliable forecasting; it could make or mar the ability to achieve expected profit margin in an era of lump sum fixed price contracts where clients often contest variation claims. In New Zealand, these factors have not been researched; hence estimators rely only on judgement to ‘guess-estimate’ in their price forecasting. This study aimed to fill the knowledge gap by investigating the priority factors. 150 responses from professional members of the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors were analysed using multi-attribute method. Results showed thirty-seven factors which could influence the final contract price; the three most influential being poor tender documentation, complexity of design & construction, and completeness of project information. Other factors relating to project, client and contractor characteristics, design consultants and tendering conditions, estimating practice and external factors were reported. Concordance analysis indicated high level of agreement amongst survey participants in the rank-ordering of the relative importance of the identified factors. The findings could assist quantity surveyors to prepare more reliable contract price estimates at the pre-contract stage. It would also improve construction-stage cost control.