We're doing a kitchen extension and the contractor mentioned using prefab wall panels instead of building on-site. They claim it'll cut the timeline in half, but I'm worried about quality and whether they'll match our existing walls properly. Is this actually worth it or just a way to rush the job?
Prefab panels can genuinely speed things up and aren't inherently lower quality - the real question is whether your contractor is sourcing decent ones and, more importantly, whether they're actually accounting for all the fiddly bits like matching your existing wall finish, handling electrical runs, and tying into your roof structure properly. Get them to show you samples and a detailed plan for how they're integrating the panels with what's already there, because that's where most kitchen extensions go sideways, not the panels themselves.
i've seen this exact situation play out a few times when folks are doing extensions, and honestly the speed gain is real but comes with caveats. the panels themselves aren't the problem - a good manufacturer makes solid ones. the issue is usually in the details: how they're being customized for your space, whether the finishes actually blend with what you've got, and if your contractor has experience fitting them properly. i knew someone who went this route and saved maybe 2-3 weeks on framing, but then spent extra time on site adjustments because the panels didn't account for slightly uneven existing walls.
the bigger question is your contractor's track record with this method. have they done prefab work before, or are they just parroting a sales pitch? there's a difference between using panels as a genuine efficiency tool and using them because it's easier for them. ask to see examples of previous extensions they've done with prefab - specifically how the seams and transitions look once finished. bad installation makes quality panels look terrible.
one thing to push back on: just because panels are faster doesn't mean the whole job gets done faster. you still need electrical, plumbing, finishes, and everything else taking the same time. so that "half the timeline" claim deserves scrutiny. if your timeline is genuinely squeezed and your contractor can demonstrate they know this method well, prefab makes sense. if it feels like they're suggesting it mostly for their own convenience, that's when you should worry.
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