What is a Modular Home?
Modular homes are the fastest-growing segment of the home building industry.
Modular homes are built in sections (in accordance to state building codes for the state they are built in) in a factory setting, indoors, where they are never subjected to adverse weather conditions. Modulars are built by using jigs to make the most precise and efficient construction technology. The sections move through the factory, from one station to another station, with the company’s quality control department checking them after every station. The sections are then inspected by a third party inspector (to meet the state requirements that the home is being built) for approval. The finished sections, when completed on the line, are then covered for protection from the elements while being transported to your home site. Upon arrival to the site, the units are then placed on a foundation, joined together and made weather tight by the builder who is representing the manufacturer. Modular homes are built to the same codes as a site built home and are appraised for loan values the same as a site built home. Due to the homes being transported, modulars are built much stronger than site built homes because they are built to be transported down the highway to the home site and assembled.
Modular Home
Built indoors in a controlled environment (no weather issues)
Save on interest for a construction loan due to quick building process
$25- $50 less per square foot than stick built homes
Built to the same code as as stick built home
Site Built Home
Built outdoors and is subject to weather throughout building process
Pay more on construction loan interest due to longer building process
Cost more per square foot than modular
Built to the same code as a modular home
How long does it take to build a modular home?
The modular home building process is FAST! If you already own your own land or have land picked out and financing in place, your next step is to meet with one of our housing consultants to pick out and customize your new home. Once that is finalized the home building process begins. Your home site is being developed while your home is being built. Modular homes (once they go on line at the factory) can be built in the factory in as little as 1-2 weeks. Since modulars are built indoors, there’s never a weather delay, during that building process at the manufacturer. The complete process (once construction begins) usually takes 60 to 90 days for the builder to complete the home & be ready for occupancy. This is very FAST compared to a stick building home process- which is anywhere from 6 months to a year!
They sound like mobile or manufactured homes. Are they the same thing?
Mobile homes, now called manufactured homes, are built to conform to federal code called HUD, no matter where they will be delivered. In the United States they are built to the HUD Code. A modular home conforms to the ICC building codes that are required in that particular state/region where it is built and delivered. In many cases, the modular construction exceeds the required local building codes.
Do all modular homes look alike?
No, and unless you were there to see the house delivered and assembled, you might not guess it’s a modular home. Modular home manufacturers (and our sales staff) use computer aided design programs to draw plans to your specifications, or to modify one of their standard plans to suit your needs, so nearly any home plan can be turned into a modular home. With steep roof pitches, dormers that can be added, site built porches, and garages added to the home, modular homes definitely look just like the stick built homes of today.
Will banks finance a modular home?
Yes, banks, appraisers, and insurance companies treat modular homes the same way they do site built homes–a house that’s constructed entirely on your property. Ask our sales staff and banks in your area to explain how they finance modular homes.
Does building a modular save you money?
Yes! Modular home building is usually significantly less per square foot than site building. It is faster which saves you money on your construction loan interest (2 to 3 months for a Modular & approx. 6 to 12 months on a stick built home) and the homes are more energy efficient saving you money to use elsewhere on your new home
