What is a modular home?
A modular home is a house that is designed and engineered in typically two sections that is built in a factory and delivered and set up on your foundation site by our site crew.
How are modular homes built?
Modular homes are built by highly skilled craftspeople. They are built to the same standard as site built houses using the same care in choice of materials and attention to detail, and taking into account the same building codes and building standards. They are models of efficiency and quality assurance.
How long does it take to build a modular home?
The time that it takes to build a modular and the consistancy of the quality of workmanship are two major advantages to going modular. Depending on the time of year that you order your house, it can be built in three weeks by the factory from start to finish. Once the manufacturing process is completed, the house is transported to your building site, lifted by a huge crane , the frame underneath is removed and the home is set on the foundation by the set crew. The roof is erected on site and any dormers are placed and the house is "buttoned up" in the same day! It is quite amazing to see. The finish work on the marriage wall of the home and installation of the utilities and finishing of the upstairs can be handled by the general contractor in two to three weeks.
What's the difference between a "modular home" and a "manufactured home"?
Manufactured homes, or mobile homes (never called trailers anymore) are constructed to the federal construction safety standards act, also known as "HUD/Code" . Unlike modular homes, the hud code requires that manufactured homes remain on the steel frame in which it was constructed. Some communities have restrictions on where manufactured homes can be placed. Modular homes are built to the same building codes required by your state, county and town and can therefore not be restricted by zoning regulations. Your modular home is inspected by a third party inspector at each phase of the building process . Evidence of this inspection is shown by a seal located on the home.
Can I design my own modular home?
Yes, custom floorplans are welcome. An engineer will insure that the home is structurally sound and put his/her stamp of approval on it, and for that the factory assesses an engineering fee of $500-$2000.
Is a modular home better than a site built home?
You will get an assured level of quality and efficiency with a modular home. You won't have to worry about the contractor not showing up, or it raining on your sheetrock. The modular homes of today are engineered and constructed to significantly increase the energy efficiecy of your home. To insure a secure trip to your property, modulars are typically "overbuilt" using 20-30% more lumber in the framing of the home. The quality control process assures you that your home has been inspected for code compliance and quality workmanship. Inplant inspectors employed as independent third party inspection agencies inspect the home on behalf of our state and local government.
Are modular homes difficult to finance or to insure?
There is no difference between modular and site built homes as far as appraisal financing. Banks and lending institutions treat both types of construction the same. Likewise, there is no difference in insuring the modular property.
What do modular homes cost?
You can typically save 30% over site building a home. The factory buys huge quantities of lumber, sheetrock, carpeting, paint, etc. And pay much less than retail prices for the products. We pass that savings on to you.
