An innovation guide under More Homes, More Choice:

Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan

ontario.ca/housinginnovation

Building a
modular house
Disclaimer: This document is provided for convenience only and should not be relied upon
as a substitute for construction, engineering, architectural or legal advice. The Ministry of
Municipal Affairs and Housing does not assume responsibility for errors or oversights resulting
from use of this document.

Building a modular house | 2

Introduction
Defining a modular house
A modular house is built using one or more
prefabricated, three-dimensional components
or modules. It is constructed partially or
completely off-site in a manufacturing facility,
then transported to a property and assembled
there, like building blocks.

Often, the interior of a modular house

is finished or almost finished at the
manufacturing facility. For example, wiring
and plumbing can be installed in the modules
before being moved to the building site. Image 1: A module being lowered by crane onto a
foundation.

Benefits of a modular
house Housing innovation

There are many benefits to building a More Homes, More Choice: Ontario’s
modular house. For example, a modular Housing Supply Action Plan recognizes
house can: that fresh approaches to tackle
Ontario’s housing crisis will give people
■ be built according to a predictable
more options to access housing that is
timeline in a controlled environment,
affordable. The ministry has created a
so timing and quality are not subject to
series of housing innovation guides to
the weather
help homeowners and homeseekers
■ be less likely to be impacted by labour
navigate building processes and
shortages and the coordination of
financing options.
trades
■ be one storey or several storeys high These guides make it easier for
■ be designed in any style or layout people to explore different housing
according to the owner’s wishes options, and to help homeowners,
■ save construction time homeseekers, property owners and
■ be energy efficient landlords navigate complex design
■ produce fewer carbon emissions and and building processes to create
less waste during construction than more housing supply, including rental
traditional on-site construction housing, and make housing more
■ be just as beautiful, functional affordable for Ontarians.
and sustainable as any well-built
conventional house

Building a modular house | 3

Image 2: A module being lowered by crane onto a foundation while workers help to secure the module in place.

Sections of the guide

This guide covers relevant provincial and ■ houses or buildings that can be
municipal rules and requirements you need to relocated or moved, such as
know that can help you to make an informed temporary classrooms
decision on whether a modular house is a ■ houses on wheels, such as caravans
good option for you. You will learn about: or recreational vehicles
■ manufactured prefabricated parts
■ the approval process to build a
of houses that are taken to the site
modular house in Ontario
■ the various kinds of services and and become part of traditional on-
packages that are available to you site construction (for example, pre-
■ the ways you can get involved in the assembled roof trusses)
process ■ financing options for modular houses
■ how to hire professionals and
In this guide, the information being provided companies to build your modular
does not relate to: house

■ manufactured building shells with no

finished exteriors/interiors

Did you know?

Prefabricated, or “prefab” construction refers to any part of a building (for example, a flat panel or
three-dimensional module) that is primarily constructed in a factory and then transported to and
installed at the site.

Any home that is constructed in a factory and then assembled on site is considered prefab. In
other words, all modular houses are prefab. However, not all prefabs are modular.

Building a modular house | 4

Spot the difference
Can you pick out the modular house below?

Image 3 Image 4 Image 5

All three examples are modular houses!

Modular houses have evolved over the last few decades. New products and technologies allow
modular houses to look and function like conventionally-built homes.

The design of your modular house will depend on the company you choose and your own budget.
It can be a good option for someone looking to build a house from the ground-up or for someone
who wants or needs more certainty about the move-in date and final price of their home.

Design, construction and assembly process

The main difference between modular Full service
houses and conventionally-built houses is
the construction and delivery process. In Some companies are full service that
conventional construction, building materials manage every step of the process, taking on
are brought to the lot and the house is built the role of general contractor, including:
on-site.
■ getting the necessary permits
With modular construction, three-dimensional ■ creating custom interior/exterior
modules are constructed in a factory and then designs
moved to the site, usually on a flatbed truck. ■ providing foundations or building a
After they arrive on-site, the modules are fully finished basement on your lot
placed on a foundation, connected to each ■ arranging for transport and installation
other, and then fully finished. of the modules on the lot foundation
■ completing assembly and finishing
Choosing a builder work on your lot

When choosing a modular house builder or Some companies even complete the
manufacturer, you should carefully select landscaping on your property.
one that meets your needs.

Building a modular house | 5

Limited service with the module builder and oversee any
construction work that does not take place
Other companies offer limited services. in the factory.
For example, some only provide the
manufactured modules and deliver them to The building process and your involvement
the site, while other companies will take on will vary depending on the company you
other aspects (but not all) of the build. choose to build your modular house.

If you have experience with building, you The kind of warranty your new home may
can use this option to save money. You can be eligible for also depends on who does
also hire a general contractor to coordinate what.

Did you know?

Prefabricated “kit” homes pre-date modular houses

and even Ontario’s Building Code. These homes were
a popular mail order option for handy, do-it-yourself
property owners beginning in the early twentieth
century.

The Canadian Aladdin Co. Ltd. (Aladdin) offered kit

homes to Ontario customers from around 1905 to
1952. Eaton’s and Sears also provided these kits
across North America.

Aladdin precut the lumber at their Ontario factory

and then shipped all the construction materials,
detailed blueprints and construction manuals to
the customer’s nearest railway station. Kit houses Image 6: The “Stratford X” home kit, priced
at $3,434.93. Canadian Aladdin Company
included everything from flooring to studs, exterior
Catalogue #16, 1920, p. 29.
walls and cladding, doors and windows, rafters,
shingles and insulation. All nails, screws and hardware
were included, with a few extras just in case.

As with today’s modular houses, the foundation and site needed to be prepared before the
kit house’s arrival. However, Aladdin went the extra mile to provide detailed instructions on
foundation construction.

Kit prices in the 1920s ranged from approximately $1,000 for a small bungalow to over $6,500 for
a spacious, two-storey model (about $12,000 to over $78,000 in 2021 dollars).

Building a modular house | 6

Home warranty Almost all newly constructed homes in
Ontario have statutory warranty coverage of
In Ontario, most purchasers of newly built up to $300,000 over a seven-year term. The
homes are entitled, by law, to warranty warranty remains with the home for seven
coverage from their builder under the years, even if it is sold during this period.
Ontario New Home Warranty and Protection
Some new homes, however, do not qualify
Plan. This warranty plan covers problems
for this statutory warranty coverage. Tarion
with workmanship, water damage and other
can provide the information you need to
major structural issues. It also provides
determine if your modular home will qualify
deposit protection and delayed closing/
for statutory warranty coverage.
occupancy compensation.

What is Tarion?

Tarion Warranty Corporation (Tarion) is the administrator of the warranty plan under the Ontario
New Home Warranties Plan Act, 1990 (ONHWPA). Tarion’s website outlines the types of homes
covered by the warranties and protections, as well as details specific to modular houses.

The vendor (typically the builder/company that sells you your house) is responsible for providing
warranty coverage. However, if the vendor in unwilling or unable to meet their warranty
obligations, Tarion steps in to manage warranty claims.

Some of the most important factors that ■ are building a home that cannot be
will determine your modular house’s occupied in all seasons
eligibility for the warranty plan under
ONHWPA are listed below; however, please The statutory warranty coverage may
consult the Tarion website for the full list of not apply if you hire a builder to build
eligibility criteria: and assemble the modules but take
responsibility for building the foundation
■ the house must be new
yourself. It depends on the contract you
■ the modular home must be built on a
have with your builder — you should
permanent foundation
contact Tarion to find out for sure.
■ the builder or vendor must be licensed
by the Home Construction Regulatory If your project does not qualify for
Authority (HCRA) statutory warranty coverage, you will need
to rely on any warranty provided by the
The statutory warranty coverage would not builder or manufacturer that is part of your
apply if you: contractual agreement instead. It may be
■ supply or purchase the materials and/ difficult to get financing from a lending
or prefabricate the modular home institution unless the house qualifies for
yourself statutory warranty coverage.

Building a modular house | 7

Image 7: A worker in a manufacturing facility assembling a roof structure.

Home Construction You can also start from scratch and work
with the company’s architect to design a
Regulatory Authority completely custom-built home.

If you are considering a modular house, we Extensive pre-planning is key to saving time
encourage you to check the Ontario Builder and money on your modular house project.
Directory to ensure your prospective The end design needs to be finalized early
builder or vendor is licensed by the Home in the process. While this helps to ensure
Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA). that each stage of the project is completed
With a few exceptions, all builders and on time, within budget and in coordinated
sellers of new homes in Ontario must be stages, it can limit your ability to make
licensed by HCRA. design changes later in the construction
process.

Design
Construction
You need to consult with your municipality
as a first step of the design process to Modular houses, like all other houses,
understand any applicable local requirements. can be almost any size. Depending on the
complexity of the design, for example:
Depending on the builder and the package
you go with, one option is to choose the ■ a small house can be a single module
design of your modular house from an ■ a one-storey house can consist of two
existing template. Then, with support from or more modules
the modular company’s designer, you can ■ a larger two- or three-storey house
modify the design to create a unique home may contain four or more modules
that meets your needs.

Building a modular house | 8

 Each module is built in a climate-controlled Although rare, mishaps can happen during
facility, typically using automated, precise transportation that may affect the timing of
manufacturing processes to enhance your project should you require repairs or
quality control. Usually, workers are replacement parts.
employed on a permanent basis and can
Once the modules are on-site and set
complete all duties with minimal delays.
in place, they are fastened together and
Modules are built using an assembly line anchored to the foundation. While the
production process, moving in sequence modules are being assembled, some of the
between various tradespeople until work to connect the mechanical systems
completion. After one trade finishes work may also need to be completed. This can
on one module, they can move on to take a few days or weeks to complete,
the next. This reduces downtime in the depending on the number of modules. Then,
production process and helps to ensure the the finishing work of the house is completed,
modules are completed to schedule. which can include:

■ electrical and plumbing hook-ups

Assembly ■ installing siding or roofing
Once the modules are inspected and ready ■ interior finishes
for installation, they are transported to your ■ other work that wasn’t carried out at
property and set on the foundation by crane. the factory
For more information about inspections, The length of time it takes to move into
please see page 12. the house after the modules are delivered
depends on:
The distance from the manufacturing facility
can have a significant impact on the cost and ■ the scope of the project
timing of your building project. The greater ■ the extent to which the modules were
the distance from the factory to your lot, the completed in the factory
greater the cost. ■ the size of the house

Image 8: The interior of a factory showing various stages of module production.

Building a modular house | 9

The provincial role
The Ontario Planning Act authorizes
municipalities to pass zoning by-laws
that allow them to determine land uses,
including supply and type of residential
land within their jurisdictions.

Through the Building Code Act and the

Building Code, the province sets out
uniform building standards for all of Ontario
including those related to modular houses.
Municipalities have the responsibility to
administer and enforce the Building Code
in their own jurisdictions.
Image 9: Workers securing a second storey module into
place after being moved by crane.

The municipal role ■ zoning requirements and standards

that apply
Municipal rules and ■ any other applicable agreements and
requirements approvals that are required before you
can build
It is important that you and your builder
■ for rural areas, whether the house
understand the municipality’s zoning by-
will connect to existing sewer and/or
laws. Municipalities make rules allowing
water or whether a well and/or septic
residential building projects in some areas
system will need to be installed
and not in others. They also make rules
regarding the maximum size your house can
be and can help you determine if the lot is Zoning
suitable for the type of modular house you A zoning bylaw controls the use of land in
are considering. your community. Zoning requirements and
You can generally find a contact number for standards that could affect your plans may
include:
your local building and planning department
on your municipality’s website. ■ p
ermitted land uses
■ minimum lot sizes
Before you sign a contract with a modular
■ minimum sizes and maximum heights
house builder and ideally before you make a
for houses
land purchase, discuss the following with the
■ minimum or maximum lot coverage
local planning and building department of
by built structures
the municipality you want to build in:

Building a modular house | 10

 ■ lot length, lot width and setback (how zoning by-law amendment or minor variance
far from the edge of the property the amendment to determine whether the
building can be) city staff will support it and f or advice and
■ massing (height and size) information. You may also wish to seek the
■ parking help of a professional planner.
■ building character
To find out more about what’s involved in
■ tree protection
■ requirements regarding well location seeking a by-law amendment or a minor
and private septic system installation variance, read the Citizen’s guide to land use
(where applicable) planning.

If you are planning to use a modular home as

Zoning requirements vary from municipality
to municipality. If your proposed building, a secondary residential unit on your property,
use or design does not comply with your you may also wish to read one of the Ministry
municipality’s by-laws, you will not be able of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s other
to build it unless you obtain a zoning by-law guides: Build or buy a tiny home or Building a
amendment or minor variance. laneway house.

You should always speak to planning staff For a list of the key considerations when
in your municipality before submitting a planning a modular house project, see
page 18.

Building Code and inspections

Getting a building permit ■ a completed application form and
any other forms and supporting
Traditional site-built construction involves a documents requested by the
single site, whereas modular construction municipality
involves two sites: one in the factory where the ■ construction drawings (most
modules are manufactured and one where municipalities require at least two sets
the modules are assembled and finished. of drawings)
■ payment of the building permit fee
For any house construction project, you
and other applicable fees
will need to obtain a building permit.
When building a modular house, you or The permit applicant will need to
your builder must apply for a building demonstrate that the project will meet the
permit from the municipality where the technical requirements of the Building Code
house will be located. as well as other “applicable laws” listed in
Whether the builder is you, your contractor the Building Code. An example of applicable
or the company you have hired, at a law is a municipal zoning by-law.
minimum, the following must be submitted If your proposed house does not meet local
to get a building permit: zoning requirements, you will not be able to
get a building permit.
Building a modular house | 11
Did you know?

If you are planning to buy a modular home manufactured or purchased from a supplier outside
of Ontario, you will need to confirm that it meets Ontario’s Building Code. Just because it is sold to
someone in Ontario does not mean the modular home meets Ontario’s Building Code. Learn more
about meeting Building Code requirements on page 14.

Both the factory-built modules and Module inspections

the activities that cannot be done in a
factory (for example, construction of Modules constructed in a factory must be
the foundation, the basement and site inspected in the factory to ensure that they
preparation/grading) must also be covered meet Building Code requirements by either:
in the building permit. ■ third-party inspectors accredited by
the Standards Council of Canada, or
Servicing ■ building officials from the municipality
where your house will be installed, who
Your modular house will need access
agree to come to the factory to inspect
to services (for example, water, hydro,
(or appoint representatives to do so)
sewage, garbage collection).

Depending on whether your property is

already connected to municipal water
supply and sewer services, you will want to
confirm that you have access to drinkable
water and may need to install a septic
system.

You may also need approval from the local

conservation authority to build a house and
will certainly need approval to install a well
or a septic system.

Inspections
There are two main inspection sites for
modular houses:

■ one at the factory where the modules

are built
■ one at the property where the house is
assembled

Image 10: Workers in a factory preparing different parts of

roof structures.

Building a modular house | 12

Canadian Standards Association
(CSA Group)
If the modules for your house are being
built in a factory certified by an accredited
certification body, the factory maintains strict
quality control measures according to CSA
A277: Procedure for factory certification of
buildings.1

Accredited inspectors ensure compliance

with CSA A277. This standard provides
requirements for:

■ certification of the factory quality Image 11: Two partially completed modules in a
program manufacturing facility.
■ certification of the modules
■ auditing the factory quality program Municipally-led module inspections
■ in-factory inspection of the modules
When modules aren’t built under factory
certification, they must be inspected by
To meet applicable CSA standards for
building officials from the municipality that
modules, factories must be accredited by a
certification organization that is authorized issued the building permit. Alternatively, if the
by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) Chief Building Official agrees, the modules
to perform compliance inspections in the can be inspected by a qualified professional
manufacturing facility. on behalf of the municipal building official.

A home built in a certified factory will have a The permanent location of your modular
label, often on the electrical panel, indicating house is also important to consider. If the
the building code(s) the home meets. A modules are built in a different municipality,
specification sheet provides additional the building officials from the municipality
technical information about requirements where your new house will be situated must
for wind, snow and rain, for example. Your consent to the module approval process.
local building inspector will check for these
The following are some options the
certifications.
municipality may agree to if the municipality
It is helpful for everyone if the building permit thinks that it is appropriate:
drawings and other information clearly show
■ Allowing their building officials to travel
which parts of the house are to be completed
and certified in the factory and which parts to the factory to inspect the modules
are subject to local inspections. at the project’s expense. Inspectors
may need to make several trips to
the manufacturing facility during
1
In the future, it is expected that Ontario will update its construction before they approve the
Building Code to reference the most recent CSA A277 modules.
standard (2016), Certification of prefabricated buildings,
modules and panels.

Building a modular house | 13

 If you are buying modules from someone
who is not certified you will want assurance
that the building permit for the modules can
be approved before you fully commit to the
project.

Inspections of the
modular house at its
permanent location
Image 12: Exterior of a modular house.
Everything included in the building permit
■ Appointing a representative to inspect will need to pass inspections by municipal
the modules to determine if they meet building officials, such as:
Building Code requirements.
■ the foundation of your house
■ Accepting reports by consultants (such
■ the basement (if applicable)
as engineers or architects) retained by
■ grading
the building permit holder that show
■ installation of the modules on the site
how the project meets Building Code
requirements.
Electrical and plumbing permits and
■ Using an alternative means of
inspections will also be needed. If your
inspection (for example, live video).
property is in a rural area that does not
have municipal water and sewer services,
It is important for you to discuss with your local
your private water supply and wastewater
municipal building official early in the process disposal system will also need to pass
to understand what local operational policies inspection.
may apply if the modules are not built in a
certified factory. As with any house, after your modular house
is completed, the municipality will issue
Inspections are conducted at several stages. an occupancy permit if its inspectors have
Inspectors examine framing, insulation, determined that all requirements have been
plumbing, interior finishes and other items met. After this has been issued, you can
contained in the Building Code, as well as Fire move in.
Code requirements.

In some cases, depending on the materials Meeting Building Code

and construction methods used, it may requirements
be appropriate for reports prepared by
appropriate building professionals (for All houses, including modular houses, must
example, an engineer or architect) to be meet Building Code requirements so that
provided to the Chief Building Official. they are equally safe, healthy, weather
resistant and energy efficient.

Building a modular house | 14

However, houses are built differently The building officials also need assurance
based on their location or region. Regional that the modules are properly attached to
differences include climate conditions, such as each other and to the foundation, and that
temperature, wind, snow and rain. They may any finishing work is completed according to
also include different structural standards for Building Code requirements.
resistance to earthquakes.
Ultimately, the building official is the person
Building Code provisions only set the minimum who is responsible for ensuring that the
requirements, but some builders offer house meets Building Code requirements.
packages that exceed minimum requirements If the building official finds something that
(for example, withstanding extreme weather does not comply with the requirements of
conditions). Packages may also promote lower the Building Code, they have the power to
environmental footprints from the materials require that you (as the homeowner) or the
that are used or the heating/cooling systems
builder make changes at your or the builder’s
installed in the modular house. Modular
expense. For example, the building official
home builders generally take pride in making
may notice that a module was damaged
more efficient use of materials, reducing both
during the transportation process and needs
financial and environmental costs.
to be repaired. Depending on the level of
Once the modules arrive on the site where damage, the manufacturer may be required
the house will be located, municipal building to rebuild the module entirely.
officials must ensure that the modules are
assembled and built according to the plans Starting on-site
that were approved in the building permit. If
the modules were built in a certified factory, construction
the compliance documentation for the Most municipalities allow some on-site
modules should be provided to municipal construction activities to begin (for example,
building officials at this point.
excavation, grading and foundation
construction) once the preliminary house
design has been completed.

If the weight, dimensions and shape of the

modules do not change significantly from the
general design, these municipalities allow
the detailed design and module construction
to be carried out at the same time as the
preparation of the site.

However, some municipalities may want to

have the complete building permit package
finalized and approved before allowing any
on-site work to begin.
Image 13: A crane lifting a module off a flat-bed truck.

Building a modular house | 15

Comparing the modular house building process with a site-built house

Diagram 1: The process of building a modular house from design to final occupancy. The main advantage
of the modular house building process is that various stages can occur simultaneously, including
module manufacturing, on-site demolition and excavation work, and module inspections.

Diagram 2: The process of building a site-built house from design to final occupancy. Typically, site-built
construction follows a more linear process, so no two stages can occur at the same time.

Building Code technical ■

■
hallway widths
door width
requirements ■ windows
■ plumbing
Building Code technical requirements that
■ energy efficiency
apply to all houses, including modular
■ heating, ventilation and air conditioning
houses, include:
(HVAC)
■ foundation, anchorage and grading ■ electrical
■ room sizes and floor areas ■ accessibility
■ stairs, guards and handrails ■ fire safety
■ ceiling heights

Building a modular house | 16

Image 14: A worker in a manufacturing facility installing roofing on a module.

If the modules are being built and Some companies have their own crews or
certified according to CSA A277, most hire contractors to complete this work (it
of these requirements will be covered can be part of your contract). Otherwise,
during construction in the factory. Other you will need to arrange for this work to
technical requirements must be verified at be completed before final inspection and
the building site, such as the foundation, move-in.
the way the building is anchored to its
Other examples of finishing work may
foundation, and the grading of the property
include:
– since these activities must occur on your
property. ■ testing the electrical system and
installing light fixtures that have not
No matter how complete the modules are
been installed
when they leave the factory, some of the
■ making final ductwork connections
plumbing and electrical work will need to
■ installing the furnace and the central
occur after the house is assembled. As the
cooling unit
homeowner, you will need to arrange for
■ repairing cracks that may have
utility hook-ups for electrical, gas, water and
occurred during transportation
potentially septic services before moving
■ touch-up painting
in. Some modular homebuilding companies
provide this as part of their “turn-key”
Finally, any site-built structure in addition
service.
to the modular house (for example, garage,
In addition, any finishing work that is not front porch or deck) must be built according
completed during the manufacturing process to the building permit and pass local
will need to be completed after assembly. inspections.

Building a modular house | 17

Modular house checklist
The following checklist summarizes the
important things to consider when planning a
modular house project:

5 Have you consulted with your

municipality regarding zoning and
other bylaws, permits and other
requirements to make sure that your
house can be built where you want it
to be built?
5 Have you confirmed how your modular
house will be serviced (for example,
water, wastewater, hydro)?
5 Have you chosen a builder that is
certified according to CSA A277:
Procedure for factory certification of
buildings, as referenced in Ontario’s
Building Code? If not:
■ what assurance do you have that
the house will meet Ontario’s
Building Code? Image 15: Exterior of a modular house.
■ have you consulted with your
municipality to determine how the 5 If you are buying modules that you
work completed off-site will be are completing yourself or hiring
inspected? a contractor to complete, you
5 Is the house you want to build eligible must follow all the requirements in
for a warranty under the Ontario New Ontario’s Building Code. Some key
Home Warranty and Protection Plan or considerations include:
a different kind of warranty? ■ rooms and floor sizes
5 Have you and your builder consulted ■ stairs, guards and handrails
with your municipality’s building ■ mezzanines
department to determine what is ■ ceiling heights
needed to apply for a building permit? ■ hallway widths
5 Will your municipality allow the house’s ■ door width requirements
foundation, anchoring and other site ■ windows
work to begin before or while the ■ plumbing
modules are being built? ■ energy efficiency

Building a modular house | 18

 ■ heating, ventilation and air- 5 After the modules are built, they will
conditioning (HVAC) be transported to the building site,
■ accessibility connected, finished and any electrical,
■ electrical facilities and lighting plumbing and other work will be
■ fire safety completed
■ emergency access 5 Per the building permit, comply with
■ exiting requirements to construct the other parts
■ smoke alarm of your building that were not built in the
■ carbon monoxide alarm factory (for example, decks, porches,
front steps)

Image 16: Drywall being installed in the interior of a module.

Building a modular house | 19

Did you know?

Modular construction also works for multi-residential

buildings, especially when units need to be constructed
quickly. Each module is built off-site and can contain
several nearly finished apartments that can be fastened
together side-by-side and stacked on top of each other.

The City of Toronto’s Modular Housing Initiative, for

example, aims to increase the supply of affordable
housing across Toronto by finding efficient ways to
build small-scale infill housing for people experiencing
homelessness.

Pictured in image 17 is a three-story modular building Image 17: A three-story multi-residential

modular building located at 321 Dovercourt
located at 321 Dovercourt Road in Toronto. It includes
Road, Toronto, Ontario.
44 studio apartments, common rooms, a dining room,
program space and administrative offices. The building was designed by Montgomery Sisam
Architects in Toronto and fabricated by NRB Modular Solutions in Grimsby.

After the modules were manufactured in Grimsby, they were transported and installed at the
City of Toronto-owned site. The entire process, from design to installation, took five months to
complete. The building opened on January 28, 2021.

It also helped that multiple levels of government worked together to make these projects happen.

As the Honourable Parm Gill – then Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Municipal
Affairs and Housing – noted regarding the 321 Dovercourt Road project:

“COVID-19 has heightened the need to get critical housing projects approved and completed faster.
That’s why the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, at the request of the City of Toronto, issued
a Minister’s Zoning Order to help get this innovative project completed and get vulnerable people
into the housing they need today.”

Diagram 3: A diagram
illustrating the rapid
assembly process of
multi-residential modular
housing. Image by
Montgomery Sisam.

Building a modular house | 20

Acknowledgements: The ministry would like to thank the following groups and individuals for
sharing their images and excellent advice:

■ Cover art: Quality Engineered Homes Ltd.

■ Images 1-5, 7-11, 13-16: Quality Engineered Homes Ltd.
■ Image 6: Canadian Aladdin Company Catalogue #16 , 1920, p. 29
■ Image 12: Guildcrest – a division of ProFab
■ Image 17: Tom Ridout, Montgomery Sisam Architects
■ Diagram 3: Montgomery Sisam Architects

Building a modular house | 21

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

© Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2021

ISBN 978-1-4868-5496-7 (Print)

ISBN 978-1-4868-5497-4 (HTML)
ISBN 978-1-4868-5498-1 (PDF)

12/21

Disponible en français