Why choose Modular construction over traditional building methods?
Modular homes or system-built homes are assembled in a factory controlled environment, utilizing cutting edge technology. Modular homes can be built from existing floor plans or from your own custom floor plans. Your Modular Manufacturer or Builder will help you evaluate the hundred of designs that are out there to find the best one suited for you. Whether you are a growing family looking to expand or a retiree looking to simplify your life, a modular home can be the budget conscious decision that you have been thinking about.
Are Prefab or Panelized homes the same as Modular homes?
Paneled homes or sometimes referred to as a prefab homes can represent a number of construction methods. The most common method involves the building of individual walls, or wall sections in a factory. Panelized home builders are the biggest and most diverse segment of the factory-built housing industry.
Panelized homes are different compared to modular homes and manufactured homes. There are some similarities, but prefab homes utilize “Components” or “wall units” that are pre-built in a controlled environment, (factory).
Once the re-built walls are delivered to job site a general contract or the home owner acting as the owner builder will erect the walls. Remember, modular homes or manufactured homes are built in sections and those sections are delivered to site. With modular or manufactured 85% to 90% of the home is completed at the factory. With prefab housing only the walls are assembled at the factory and the majority of work still remains on-site. The main advantage of panelized homes over stick-built homes is – shorter build time because walls are pre-built and lower labor costs. Learn more about the benefits of panelized homes.
How much do Modular homes cost?
According to industry statistics, modular construction projects have more than doubled in the last ten years. This is because the modular building process provides time and cost savings. Since they are built inside a factory, the weather does not cause delays, which greatly reduces labor costs. All the fabrication being done at one location allows the factories to buy bulk quantities of supplies at greatly reduced rates, these savings are then passed on to the consumer.
Depending on where you live, modular home building costs 10 to 20 percent less than stick-built homes, are built 30-60% faster, and last just as long.
Over the years I have spoken to many modular home builders regarding cost and savings. Some say that by using modular construction you can save 30% or more. Others I have spoken to take a different approach and say there is no real cost savings, except quicker build times. And still others say one can typically save 10% to 20%. I tend to lean towards the later point of view and estimate the savings to be around 15% with quicker build times of three months or less compared to stick-built construction. With quicker build times and a possible savings of 10% to 15% it’s clear why more and more people are turning to modular housing. Learn more about the benefits of modular homes.
What are the differences between a Modular & Manufactured home?
There seems to be some confusion about the differences between a modular and manufactured homes. Modular homes are not manufactured homes or mobile homes. Manufactured homes are built according to the federal building Code, (HUD). This requires all manufactured homes to have a non-removable steel chassis, which severely limits their design options.
Manufactured homes generally come in single units or two-section units. In certain parts of the country you can also find three and four-section units. A manufactured home can be placed on a basement. In general, manufactured homes are single-story homes that are placed on a blocking system that supports the steel I-beams under each section.
Today’s manufactured homes come with many of the same features typically found in a standard stick-built home: living and dining rooms with vaulted ceilings, skylights, fireplaces, modern kitchens and premium appliances, large bedrooms with walk-in closets, bathrooms with whirlpool tubs, ceramic tile, hardwood floors and more! The options are almost limitless! The manufactured housing industry boasts they are the most affordable option when it comes to housing. Manufactured homes normally cost $35 to $65 per square foot, (home only). Additional costs include land purchase and site improvements.
Are Modular homes GREEN?
Modular home or prefab homes have long had a history of being progressive in design, technology and materials use. Increasingly with the supply of sustainable, low impact, and ecologically friendly building materials, Modular Manufacturers have been fast to incorporate the options into their home designs. The designs are also more advanced in their use of materials and design to make sure the home you get meets all of your requirements. Now the modular housing industry is challenging the economics of innovative design with the drive for more sustainable designs and construction.
Most modular home companies are ENERGY STAR® compliant. When a home finishes at the factory, it must be ENERGY STAR® certified. These homes must achieve the guidelines for energy efficiency established by the U.S. EPA; that is, they must be at minimum 15% more energy efficient than site built homes that follow the International Residential Code (IRC). Often times they include additional energy-saving features that can increase the typical savings to 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.
The other benefit of building green is that it can increase your home’s resale value and give you an edge when its time to sell. The energy savings alone can save a homeowner thousands of dollars in only a few short years in heating and cooling costs. Other advantages include the improved air quality since less formaldehyde is used in green construction. Finally, a modular green home’s construction creates less material waste .
Finding a Modular Home Builder
Building a home is likely one of the most expensive and complicated endeavors that you will ever undertake in your life. Any time that you are making that large of an investment, you want to make sure that you have done your homework and partnered with a builder and manufacturer that will produce the best home for you. Your home will be where you reside with family and friends and share life’s memories; When you are ready to undertake this project you will need to be well informed.
Savvy home buyers already know that modular homes offer more for their hard earned money than standard built homes. A modular home is a home designed in a factory, built in sections, and assembled on site. This controlled process allows for reduced costs, better craftsmanship and the ability for the homeowner to purchase a larger home. Modular homes are not mobile homes. Mobile homes or house trailers are built on wheels and are meant to be moved. A modular home is secured on the property just like a standard built home.
Modular Home Benefits
Many people, when they hear the term “modular home”, automatically think “manufactured home” or “on- frame modular home”. A, “Genuine Modular” home is neither. Genuine modular homes have all of the characteristics of stick-built homes and must pass the same code requirements as stick-built homes.
Genuine modular homes have more flexibility as compared to on-frame modular homes. To learn more about on-frame modular homes please click on the manufactured home link above. Another difference is – Genuine modular homes don’t have a steel undercarriage supporting the floor system like on-frame modular homes or HUD-code manufactured homes. Genuine modular homes are stick-built homes constructed in a controlled environment and transported to the job site 90% to 95% completed.
Modular Town Homes
There are about 100 quality modular or custom modular home producers that assemble sections of modular units inside factories. Most modular units are made in complete, box like sections. Multiple-section units and stack-on units are common. They are sold as “factory direct” or through a network of builders.
Genuine modular homes or sometimes referred to as “system-built” homes are built using an engineered approach to produce structures in a more efficient and cost effective method. Instead of the old-fashioned construction method, (stick-built) most of the work is pre-fabricated at an off-site climate controlled factory. As each sub-section or modular unit is finished it is transported to the building site on a flat bed truck with no steel undercarriage supporting the floor system. Once on site each modular unit is constructed together using the same methods that stick-built homes use.
A Genuine modular home can be built from existing plans or from custom plans generated by an architect. Modular home producer’s uses computer generated plans to meet all national, state, and local building standards.
Framing for a modular home is the same as a traditional home except that Genuine modular homes use 20 to 30 percent more material to guarantee a safe trip to the site. Basically a Genuine modular home is over engineered to withstand the transportation process. This is also true for on- frame modular homes and to a lesser degree HUD-code homes. Genuine modular homes are built in a climate-controlled environment using the same high quality materials used in traditionally built homes.