How One Builder is Transforming Off-Site Construction Approval Nationwide
Published July 2025 | Offsite Builder
In the evolving world of off-site construction, builders often hit a wall when it comes to code compliance and permitting. But one Texas-based builder is proving there’s a way forward — and it could be a game-changer for the entire industry.
Eric Benavides, founder of Component Construction Systems LLC, has spent years developing and refining a certified wall system that is now recognized as code-compliant across the U.S. His story offers a blueprint for off-site builders looking to scale without being bogged down by local inspections and red tape.
From Metal Shop to Modular Vision
Benavides, a long-time homebuilder in Dallas, initially turned to off-site methods during the pandemic. Starting with ADUs made from shipping containers and later structural insulated panels (SIPs), he quickly discovered the limits of scaling when systems aren’t universally approved.
That frustration sparked a bigger idea: What if you could build a pre-approved wall system using conventional materials — one that local inspectors would automatically accept?
A Code-Approved System, Built for Scale
Benavides’ solution was to create panels based on standard construction methods but engineer them into a prefabricated system. This led to a multi-year effort involving testing, engineering, and working with the International Code Council Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) to obtain official certification.
In 2024, he secured an Evaluation Service Report (ESR), and by 2025, he earned an Equivalency Evaluation Report (EER) — essentially giving his panel system nationwide code approval under ESR 5284.
This means local building officials can treat his panels as equivalent to stick-built components — no need to open up factory-built walls or debate compliance at every new city line.
Why It Matters for Off-Site Builders
Too often, builders using factory-produced components get held up by inconsistent inspections and unfamiliarity from local officials. Benavides’ story highlights two powerful lessons:
- Use familiar, code-compliant materials — it simplifies approvals.
- Invest in formal certification — it unlocks scalable growth.
With ESR 5284, Benavides’ panels now streamline framing (as fast as two days) and let builders jump straight into MEP installation.
A Bigger Vision: Affordable Housing at Scale
Despite the red tape, Benavides stayed focused on his mission: solving the housing crisis. He’s now working to partner with national builders, suppliers, and underutilized factories to deploy his system across the country. Future plans include launching micro factories near railways and in disaster zones to speed up home delivery where it’s needed most.
In his words:
“We’re not here to build every home — just the ones that make homeownership possible again.”
What This Means for Maui Modulars and Our Industry
Eric’s journey mirrors the challenges many modular and panelized builders face — and his perseverance offers a clear path forward. At Maui Modulars, we believe stories like this don’t just inspire — they inform our roadmap as we push for smarter, faster, and more affordable housing solutions.
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Source: Originally featured in Off-site Builder Magazine, July 2025. Written by Stacey Freed. Adapted and summarized for Maui Modulars’ community.
