By Carol Fena
One of the reasons Modular homes are of interest today is because the perception is that they cost much less. They do cost less generally than site-built homes but not as much less as manufactured or mobile homes. They are manufactured in a factory, but unlike manufactured homes, there isn't as great a cost savings.
However, there is enough of a savings to make it appealing to some since the design is more flexible than manufactured homes.
Also, modular homes look more like site-built homes than manufactured homes due partly to a higher pitched roof.
Another unique feature of modular homes is that you can build a larger home for not much more money than building a small home since the major expense involved is in the site preparation.
As major builders are more and more using manufactured components in site building their homes, a modular home may be in your future.
A major benefit of modular homes which makes them interesting is that they invite you to put up your home quickly.
Though they are thought of as manufactured homes because they are built in factories, they are manufactured modular homes.
A permanent foundation:
A modular home is always built on a permanent foundation and approved by the County building codes.
Flexibility of Design
They also consist of modular boxes which gives more flexibility of design choices. Once the site is prepared, the home is transported and put up quickly onto the foundation. For retirees this can relieve a lot of the stress of building a home.
There are 3 types of visitors to this page and we hope to answer their questions:
1) You already own your lot and wish to know what's next and how to go about it and how much it will cost.
2) You are looking for a lot to put your home on and need to know how to go about finding it.
3) You are looking for an existing home to buy and want to find by state communities with existing homes.
The first step is you must have a place to put it. Either you have an existing lot (the most common) or you must find one.
First, decide on your area. Everything begins there because you will want to locate the manufacturers, builders and dealers in that area who will have the information you need on where lots and communities are located.
You will also want to talk with those in the immediate area because shipping your home from a nearby source is less expensive.
Some communities that are for over 55 consist of just lots for sale, and these are perfect for modular homes.
I have not found very many over 55 communities with existing homes in place. Check with local dealers to find them.
A few examples of modular home communities for over 55:
Also, there are some nice communities that are in retirement areas and geared toward retirees although not certified for over 55. It is not common to find an over 55 community with modulars. These retirement communities are hard to find as you must go through the following sources:
There are books that list all the dealers and builders in your preferred area.
Excellent Source: National Modular Housing Council
Some people think that they are less expensive than site built homes. While they may be a little less, they are not as large a saving as are manufactured homes. They must be built on a permanent foundation and approved by the County the same as a site-built home. This adds to the cost. Any additions you make will also add to the cost such as porches, basements, etc.
You can have any design, however, a unique design will be more expensive than their stock designs because it may mean involving their engineer. Most dealers and builders have attractive and plentiful stock designs.There is much more flexibility of design than manufactured homes. They are transported from the factory as modules (or panels in panelized homes) and this is what gives you that flexibility to design any home you want.
Speaking of size of home, you receive more value the larger the modular home is, generally.
Compare the cost of a smaller square footage home with the larger square footage one. You may find that you can build a larger home than you thought. That is why you see so many large homes.
They are for everyone.
The main advantage is that the home is built in the factory and so is not exposed to environmental elements and delays caused by human error. These homes go up fast. Once your site is prepared, your home is constructed within a few days (times vary depending on size of home.)
1) Location of lot or community
2) Selection of design
3) Site Preparation
4) Home Construction
The popularity of Log Homes is also growing. See Golden Eagle Log Homes
There will always be site-built homes, however, you may not realize it, but a modular home may be in your future. Home units have doubled in the last twenty years. They are predicted to become stronger in the future because they are just simply a more economical way to build a home. They can also be made very energy efficient due to being factory built.