FAQ
Process & Collaboration
Finch is independent. We are not tied to one factory or contractor. Instead, we work with multiple certified factories and construction partners. As a result, customers always benefit from competitive pricing, flexible capacity and less dependency risk. Where other modular builders are vulnerable due to dependence on a single supplier, Finch's independence ensures resilience and reliability.
No. Finch is a systems provider and consultant, not a traditional contractor. We provide a building system and work with contractors selected by the client or through our network. This shortens the chain, avoids piling up margins and risks, and provides transparency, lower costs and greater certainty.
With Finch, the entire process is significantly faster and more predictable than traditional construction. Development time is often reduced by a third and construction time on site by as much as 50%. For example, a building of more than 60 apartments can be realized in just 7 months, whereas with traditional construction it takes an average of 14 months - including preparation and execution.
We can connect quickly, even if designs are already in place. Finch performs a modularity scan and adapts existing plans to our system. This prevents wasted time and makes projects more efficient.
We support clients in discussions with municipalities by sharing our experience, documentation and certifications. Municipalities appreciate the predictable and sustainable nature of our construction method, which often leads to faster cooperation and permitting.
Finch avoids dependency by partnering with multiple certified factories. If one factory lacks capacity, another can take care of production. This ensures continuity and limits project risks.
Modules fit on standard trucks and are delivered directly from factory to construction site. We work with specialized transportation partners who ensure an efficient and timely process.
Sustainability & Climate Impact
Timber construction is one of the most powerful climate solutions in the construction industry. By building with wood as a renewable material, we store COâ‚‚ instead of emitting it and replace polluting materials such as concrete and steel, resulting in a much lower environmental impact. Because modules are prefabricated in the factory, there is less construction waste, less transportation and shorter construction time on site, saving additional emissions. Moreover, the modules are fully demountable and reusable, allowing materials to retain their value and enabling true circularity.
The construction industry has a strict carbon budget to stay within the Paris climate goals. Finch's timber modules are already paris proof. Each cubic meter of wood stores 1 ton of COâ‚‚ and avoids emissions from concrete and steel (about 1.3 tons). Thus, each ton of wood saves 2.3 tons of COâ‚‚. Finch has already saved more than 25,000 tons of COâ‚‚ through projects. In addition, wood is renewable, recyclable and retains COâ‚‚ for decades, making it a cornerstone of climate-neutral construction.
Yes. Certified European production forests are growing significantly faster than current demand. According to studies, enough wood is growing annually to build all new European homes. Finch uses certified European spruce, a fast-growing pioneer species that is responsibly harvested. Unlike tropical deforestation, European forest management promotes biodiversity and forest health.
Solid timber performs extremely well in a fire. Thick CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) boards develop a protective coal layer that insulates the core and slows the fire. Finch is an active member of the Dutch NEN fire safety committee, contributing to standards that make buildings safe and future-proof. Independent tests show that our buildings are at least as safe as concrete structures.
Acoustics is a common concern in wood construction. Finch has invested heavily in R&D and developed 27 dry floor systems that exceed Dutch and European standards. These solutions reduce both air and impact noise and deliver quiet and comfortable living environments. All systems have been tested and proven in practice.
No. Finch modules are manufactured in controlled factory conditions and delivered as enclosed, wind and watertight units. Unlike traditional construction where materials are exposed to the elements.
Maintenance is no more intensive than with concrete, and sometimes even lighter. Problems such as concrete rot or corrosion do not occur. Our dry floor systems also make renovation and retrofitting easier.
Traditional construction causes nitrogen emissions on site. Modular timber construction reduces this by 50% because most of the work is done in the factory. This greatly reduces transport movements and is crucial in areas with strict nitrogen regulations. As a result, we make projects feasible where traditional construction has stalled.
Design, Flexibility & Regulation
Our modules are ideal for student housing, apartments, healthcare buildings and mixed use. Both purchase and rental models are possible. The system suits both urban densification and new construction projects.
Yes. Finch has already delivered more than 1,100 modules, including large-scale projects involving hundreds of homes. Collaboration with multiple factories allows economies of scale.
Modular timber construction with Finch offers plenty of options. The systems can be safely stacked up to 8-10 stories, depending on design and regulations. For taller projects, hybrid solutions are possible, combining wood with other materials.
There are also no limits in terms of aesthetics and complexity: Finch regularly realizes facade details, balconies and variations in volumes, working closely with architects. Within the modular grid (for example, 3.6-5 meters) there remains ample design freedom, keeping creativity feasible and affordable, without loss of diversity or appearance.
Finch modules are designed with maximum flexibility and circularity. They can be easily joined, split or redeployed in the future, allowing buildings to adapt to changing needs and keeping investments protected. Thanks to steel-on-steel connections, the modules are fully demountable: they can be disconnected, moved and redeployed in another location. At the end of a building's life, the modules are not demolished but reused. In this way, materials retain their value and the cycle is closed.
Yes. Finch modules meet BENG (Nearly Energy Neutral Building) standards. Wood naturally has a high insulation value and modular production ensures airtightness. Buildings are easily combined with solar panels and heat pumps and often achieve energy label A++ or higher.
Yes. Certified modular systems are predictable and well-documented, allowing municipalities to approve faster and with greater confidence.
Yes. The Finch system is flexible and can be tailored to existing building contours, heights and zoning regulations. Even when a project already has a permit, we adapt our design to the permitted parameters (such as height and building volume). Thus, we avoid delays due to new approval procedures. This approach has already been used successfully in several projects.
Finch is an active member of standards committees (such as NEN). As a result, we are always informed at an early stage and can adapt our system before new rules take effect. This gives certainty that projects will also comply in the future.
Cost, Risk & Financing
No. In fact, it is often cheaper in total cost. Although wood is sometimes more expensive, the faster construction time, lower financing costs and less maintenance reduce overall costs.
Highly predictable. On one of our largest projects, the difference between the initial estimate and the final factory order was only 1%. Traditional construction projects often exceed budget by 10-20%.
Circularity provides not only environmental benefits, but also financial value. Projects often qualify for green loans with lower interest rates (up to 0.5% below the market average). Many Finch projects comply with the MIA/Vamil schemes, which can amount to more than €100 per m² of tax benefit. Finch supports clients in applying for subsidies by providing carbon and circularity data.
Each module retains a residual wood value of about €6,500, and the certified carbon storage can be traded (up to €15,000 per apartment, depending on the carbon price). This makes sustainability measurable and profitable.
In addition, Finch projects have faster construction times. Projects are completed months earlier, which allows for faster rental income or sales and lower financing costs. This significantly improves returns.
Our independence allows us to buy from multiple factories. If one supplier raises the price, we have alternatives. This ensures competition and price stability.
Yes. Unsustainable buildings are losing value faster and faster due to more stringent ESG requirements. Finch buildings are future-proof: circular, healthy and attractive to tenants and investors. This protects both rental income and property value.
Health & Comfort
Wooden homes offer a healthy and comfortable indoor environment. Wood is breathable, warm and free of harmful emissions, so residents experience fewer health complaints and increased satisfaction. Wood's natural ability to regulate moisture prevents condensation and reduces the likelihood of mold problems, which are more common in traditional airtight concrete homes. Residents thus benefit from a pleasant living environment with consistent air quality and a high sense of well-being.
In 2023 the Dutch building program Lente-akkoord completed a major study on consumer valuation of log homes. Check out the results in this whitepaper.
Research shows that timber interiors reduce stress, increase concentration and speed recovery. In offices, this leads to higher productivity, and in healthcare environments to faster recovery and improved well-being.
Is your question not among them?
We are happy to help you. Please contact us at info@finchbuildings.com or through us contact form and we'll get back to you on it ASAP.