Why buy a modular home? | Modular Home FAQs | Modular Model Center
MODULAR HOME FAQs
What is a modular home?
A modular home is a highly engineered home that is constructed in sections and put together by a builder on your building site. Modular homes are designed, engineered, and built in a factory controlled environment.
How are modular homes built?
The building process begins at the design phase. Most modular producers use state-of-the-art computer-aided design programs which aid them in customizing floorplans and producing drawings and material requirement lists. Once designed, the building process begins. This process is similar to what you've seen during the construction of houses in your neighborhood. The quality materials and care for detail, and the same building codes and standards, are observed. As you can see, today's modular homes are models of efficiency and quality assurance.
How long does the building process take?
Speed and consistent quality are two of the many advantages of choosing modular housing. On the average, a home consisting of two sections will be built in the factory within eight weeks. Once the manufacturing process in complete, typically with interior finish right down to wall finish, the unit must be transported to your home site and place on the foundation. Final completion is usually handled by a local builder or general contractor, and includes connection of utilities to the home, and a short list of finish work. Normally the home is completed within twelve weeks after delivery to your site.
What's the difference between a modular and a manufactured home?
Manufactured homes, sometimes referred to as mobile homes, are constructed to a different building code. This code, the Federal Construction Safety Standards Act (HUD/CODE), unlike conventional building codes, requires manufactured homes to be constructed on a non-removable steel chassis. Many communities have restrictions on where manufactured homes can be located. Modular and site-built homes on the other hand, are constructed to the same building code required by your state, county, and specific locality, and therefore are not restricted by building or zoning regulations. Your new modular home is inspected at the assembly plant during each phase of construction. Evidence of this inspection is normally shown by the application of a state or inspection agency label of approval.
What do modular homes look like?
Modular homes look like any other home. Today's building technology has allowed modular manufacturers to build most any style of home from a simple ranch to a highly customized contemporary. And, it doesn't stop with houses. Modular producers are busy building banks, schools, office buildings, motels and hotels. Chances are you've been in many modular structures and probably never realized it.
Can I design my own modular home?
Yes. Most modular companies allow the customer design flexibility. But remember, every manufacturer is different. Engineering capabilities and product specifications will vary from company to company.
Is a modular home better than a site-built home?
The decision is clear. With a modular home, you get efficiency and quality control. Efficiency begins with modern factory assembly line techniques. Your home travels to workstations, with all the building trades represented. Work is never delayed by weather, subcontractor no-shows, or missing material. Quality engineering and modular construction techniques significantly increase the energy efficiency of your modular home. A quality control process provides 100% assurance that your home has been inspected for code compliance and workmanship. In-plant inspectors as well as independent inspection agencies inspect the home on behalf of your state and local government.
Are modular homes difficult to finance or insure?
There is no distinction between modular and site-built homes as far as appraisal or 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?
When you add up all the labor, material and time savings inherent in the modular building process, you will find that the price of a modular home is lower than a site-built home of comparable size. Additionally, you will keep saving money year after year as your energy-efficient home keeps your heating and cooling bills low.
Benefits of modular construction
- Highly engineered
- Constructed in a climate-controlled environment
- Efficient building process and material usage
- Energy efficient
- In-plant inspections
- Consistent quality
- Speed of construction
- Design flexibility
- Constructed to meet or exceed local building codes
