Nestron’s Plug-and-Play Prefabs Start at $40K and Don’t Require a Foundation

The space-age designs can be dropped into place and connected to utilities in a matter of hours, according to the company.

Nestron’s Plug-and-Play Prefabs Start at $40K and Don’t Require a Foundation

The space-age designs can be dropped into place and connected to utilities in a matter of hours, according to the company.

Welcome to Prefab Profiles, an ongoing series of interviews with people transforming how we build houses. From prefab tiny houses and modular cabin kits to entire homes ready to ship, their projects represent some of the best ideas in the industry. Do you know a prefab brand that should be on our radar? Get in touch!

Nestron was started in 2012 by Lawrence Xu, who dreamt of leveraging cutting-edge technology to transform the construction industry. Ten years in, the company now produces eight steel-frame models that roll off the factory floor "ready to live in, just as a car that leaves the manufacturing site is ready to drive," says Xu. Equipped with furniture, appliances, and a robust structures that don’t require a foundation, the prefabs only need utility hook-ups after being positioned on-site—a procedure that typically takes a few hours, says Xu.

Here, we speak with him to hear about what a customer can expect when purchasing a Nestron prefab.

Construction

Nestron says its one-piece galvanized steel frames can withstand earthquakes, hurricanes, high humidity, and over fifteen years of use without rusting.

Photo courtesy of Nestron

What’s the most exciting project you’ve realized to date?

One of our most exciting projects involved collaborating with a California client who wanted to create a tiny-house community for short-term rentals. The project includes nine of our L2 models in both its one- and two-bedroom designs.

While the Nestron units are advertised as one-bedroom homes, their layouts can be adjusted to upon ordering should someone prefer to use the unit as a rec-room or an office.

While Nestron’s prefabs are advertised as one-bedroom homes, their layouts can be adjusted to to be used as an office or lounge.

Photo courtesy of Nestron

What does your base models cost and what does that pricing include?

Nestron offers a range of basic models with prices ranging from $40,000 to $90,000, and sizes from 260 to 390 square feet. Each comes with its own set of features and includes basic appliances and furnishings.

What qualities make your prefab stand apart from the rest?

What sets Nestron’s houses apart are their "completeness": they are made ready to live in, just as a car that leaves the manufacturing site is ready to drive. We aim to incorporate habitable features upon completion of production without further on-site construction.

Nestron's flagship Legend One accommodates just under 250 square feet. The footprint expands to around 350 square feet in the Legend 2 model and 400 in the Legend 2X. The more futuristic Cube series follows a similar pattern: the 250-square-foot base model is enlarged to 330 square feet in Cube 2 and 400 in Cube 2X.

Nestron’s flagship Legend 1 (shown in the top image) is just less than 250 square feet. The Legend 2 is around 350 square feet, and the Legend 2X is closer to 390.

Photo courtesy of Nestron

See the full story on Dwell.com: Nestron’s Plug-and-Play Prefabs Start at $40K and Don’t Require a Foundation
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