A Cost–Benefit Analysis of Importing Complete Prefabricated Steel Structure Buildings from China to New Zealand

The domestic construction industry in New Zealand has long been challenged by persistent material shortages and elevated construction costs. In contrast, prefabricated steel structure buildings from China—backed by substantial technological accumulation, mature industrial scale, and strong innovation capacity—have demonstrated clear competitive advantages in the global construction market. This has created strong strategic demand and structural opportunities for New Zealand to import such buildings. However, as prefabricated steel structure construction is a relatively emerging technology—particularly in the context of cross-border importation—there remains a notable lack of comprehensive research on its cost and benefit profiles, with even fewer empirical studies examining international import scenarios. To address this gap, this study integrates a whole-process cost–benefit analysis model with the grey relational degree method to evaluate and compare three construction approaches in New Zealand:(1) fully imported prefabricated steel structure buildings from China, (2) locally sourced and produced construction materials, and (3) traditional on-site concrete casting. The analysis systematically examines four key phases—design, production, transportation, and installation—and quantifies the synergistic effects of economic, environmental, and social benefits across these dimensions. The findings reveal that fully importing prefabricated steel structure buildings from China yields the lowest overall costs and delivers the most significant composite benefits, making it the most cost-effective and sustainable construction solution under the assessed conditions. This study provides valuable insights for overcoming supply-chain challenges in New Zealand’s construction sector and contributes to the broader discourse on global green building development and sustainable construction practices.

Cost-benefit calculation; Grey relational analysis; Prefabricated steel structure construction; Scheme comparison

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