Kincaid delivers terrace homes 85% faster than traditional builds

Melbourne developer-builder Kincaid has set a new benchmark for housing delivery in Australia, completing five prefabricated terraces at Stockland's Highlands estate in just three months, located in Craigieburn and Mickleham area. 

The four-bedroom, three-bathroom terraces, each with a double garage and an 8-Star NatHERS rating, were constructed up to 70% to 85% faster than a traditional townhouse build, which typically takes 10 to 12 months. 

The homes sold out within three weeks of launch, underscoring strong demand for faster, more efficient housing solutions.

Delivered in partnership with Stockland and prefabrication specialist Signex, the project demonstrates how a manufacturing-led approach can accelerate housing delivery while maintaining design quality and sustainability performance.

Kincaid director Kris Burt said the completed project provides a clear proof point for prefabrication at a time when the housing sector is under increasing pressure.

“Australia is yet again facing a perfect storm of rising construction costs, labour shortages, elevated interest rates and ongoing global supply chain uncertainty, all while needing to accelerate housing supply," said Kris.

"This project shows that prefabrication is not a future concept; it is a practical solution that is ready to scale. We have delivered these homes faster, at a lower cost base, and with greater certainty than a traditional build."

With the Federal Government targeting 1.2 million new homes and the construction industry facing a significant labour shortfall, Kincaid says new delivery models are critical to closing the gap.

“In the time it takes to deliver one home traditionally, we can deliver three," said Kris.

"That kind of productivity shift is what the industry needs if we are going to materially increase supply."

Kris said the model also directly responds to rising build costs, interest rates and broader cost-of-living pressures.

"The two biggest cost pressures in development today are time and tax," said Kris.

"Every additional month on site increases finance costs, holding costs and overall risk. 

"By reducing construction to three months, we significantly improve project viability. 

"At the same time, our model allows us to lock in pricing upfront, giving both developers and buyers certainty in a volatile market.”

Prefabrication also offers a more efficient response to ongoing labour shortages, with the majority of construction completed in a controlled factory environment before rapid on-site assembly.

“We are not replacing trades, we are using them more effectively,” said Kris.

"The same workforce can deliver more homes in less time, which is critical in an industry facing capacity constraints."

Kincaid COO Joel Martin said the completed homes demonstrate that speed and efficiency do not come at the expense of design.

“Our focus was to deliver architecturally led homes through a prefabricated system without compromising design intent," said Joel. 

"These terraces reflect the same level of design thinking we apply across our medium-density projects, now executed with greater precision through a panelised construction model.” 

Joel said the homes were also designed to deliver long-term cost savings for residents.

“An 8-Star NatHERS rating means lower energy consumption from day one," said Joel

"In the current cost-of-living environment, that translates directly to lower energy bills and reduced reliance on the grid, while also supporting the growing ESG priorities of developers and institutional partners focused on more sustainable housing delivery.”

Following the success of the Highlands project, Kincaid is exploring further opportunities across Victoria, with the model suited to both greenfield and infill developments and designed to scale through partnerships with developers and institutional investors.

The project’s rapid sell-out highlights strong demand for housing that combines speed, price certainty, design quality and sustainability in a single offering, with buyers and investors increasingly expecting all four.

Kris said prefabrication is emerging as one of the few models capable of delivering on those expectations at scale.

“In today’s market, buyers are not choosing between those factors, they expect all of them," said Kris.

"Prefab is one of the few models that can deliver on all fronts.”

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