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Aren't the walls and materials lower quality?
Absolutely
not. Modular homes are constructed with 2x6 walls,
and stronger materials so that the home can tolerate
the rigors of being transported hundreds of miles.
Most modular home factories use national brand name
products to further enhance the quality of the
finished product.
Can a
modular home have a Basement?
Yes, and
most of them do - often with 9' high sidewalls,
walk-out basements, and expanded living areas on
lower levels - but that is up to you, and your
modular home builder.
Are
modular homes are of inferior quality when compared
to site built homes?
No - and
arguably modular homes are of better quality. The
two primary reasons for this are supervision and
weather. Site built homes are subject to the
elements. Modular homes are built in the controlled
environment of the factory. This protects building
materials from the harsh outdoor environment and
enables laborers to work in comfortable environs
improving the quality of their work.
The second
reason for the better quality of modular homes is
the quality control programs used by modular
manufacturers. Few builders who construct site built
homes have a quality control manual or program in
place. Modular builders do. Furthermore, regular
inspections occur during the building of a modular
home. In theory this is what your builder is
supposed to do in the oversight of his
subcontractors. In practice however these types of
inspection are not done frequently or as well as it
should be. Modular homes are inspected once on the
assembly line, once more by a third party
independent inspector required by the state in which
the home is to be built, and lastly by the local
building inspector - for quality, as well as form,
fit and accuracy.
Can
modular homes be customized?
Yes, they
can. Essentially the same design flexibility exists
that you would have with a site built home. If you
buy a site built home in a development you will have
limited customization options. Similarly there are
some modular manufacturers who offer a limited
selection of models from which to choose.
Conversely, there are modular builders, as there are
site builders, who allow total discretion in the
design and customization of a home.
We often
develop plans with the customer "from
scratch" - starting with an idea of the number
of bedrooms, bathrooms, and general concept of what
the house is to be - whether it is a ranch, rambler,
cape cod style, two story, split level or something
in between. Special needs, such as ADA compliance,
with wider doorways, lower counters, roll-in
showers, and other accessibility features are very
important to customers in the same way the
fireplaces, French doors, and spa style tubs are. If
there is a feature in a stick built home, it can be
built in a modular home.
How long
does it take to build a Modular Home?
Modular
home construction is much faster than site built
homes. The typical rule of thumb for the building of
a site built home is 4-6 months from ground
breaking. A modular home can be completed in 1-2
months. There are several reasons for this. All of
the trades required to build a site built home are
employed at the factory so there is a reduced number
of tradesman. Secondly many different tasks can be
going on simultaneously in the factory. Lastly, some
of the site work, like excavation and the pouring of
the foundation are done prior to the time the house
is delivered to the construction site.
Compare
this to the site built home where most tasks must be
done sequentially. In total a few weeks is all that
will be required to complete the modules that
comprise a modular home. Once delivered on site the
builder may have another few weeks to complete the
finish work. Typically, customers can expect that it
will take 4-6 weeks from time of order to time of
delivery, and from time of delivery to completion,
another 4-6 weeks.
Are
modular homes difficult to finance?
No.
That used to be the case, but the sheer number of
modular homes being constructed, as well as the
lending community's understanding of the quality of
modular homes has all but eliminated any previously
existing prejudice.
Do
modular homes offer energy efficiency?
Modular
homes are often able to achieve extremely high
energy efficiency ratings, with some manufacturer's
offering extremely high standards in their products.
Expect to see R-19 to R-21 or better in walls, R-38
to R50 in roofs, and Low-E windows are almost
standard in the modular industry. Talk to your
builder to find out what features are standard, and
which are options.
Are
there differences in the permit requirements between
site built and modular homes?
No, there
are no differences. A modular home must conform or
comply with the local building requirements of where
the home will be placed. Mobile homes, in contrast,
do have substantially different permit or code
requirements - but these do not pertain to modular
homes. Modular homes may cost less for permits
because they are pre-inspected at the factory before
ever arriving on the construction site. Check with
your builder, and the local building inspector.
Expertise
in Modular Construction
When you
are looking at new homes, talk to a company that
specializes in modular homes. They can answer
questions as they pertain to your community and
local codes.
Conclusion
There are
many good reasons why you should explore the option
of a modular home. These reasons include: time
savings, design flexibility, quality, cost savings,
shorter-term construction loans (less interest paid)
and brand name products. With the decreasing pool of
skilled laborers, modular homes are appearing in
subdivisions nationwide in larger and larger
numbers.
Seek a
builder with expertise in modular homes, and you'll
find quality, beauty and affordability in less time,
often with warranties of up to ten years. It's an
option too many people overlook.
Copyright
2004 CMH |
Can
I tell the difference between a Modular Home and one
constructed onsite?