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Introduction
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The Benefits of Choosing Modular Construction
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Breaking the Myths
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Many people say that modular homes can be bought for
just a fraction of the price of a tradition homes. And,
although
modular
home
are a bargain, you should be realistic in your
expectations. You should expect a savings in the price
as well as saving in maintenance and energy costs. But
be alert to something that sounds too good to be true.
It probably is. Sometimes the myth that a small modular
home is the best buy can seem like a true idea. However,
because modular homes are a great value, the cost
efficiency savings will increase as the size of the home
increases. The greatest savings in a modular home comes
from the materials and labor. It is logical then to
understand that the larger the home, the greater savings
on the materials and labor. Let our modular home
designers assess your needs based on your individual
lifestyle, not on the size of your pocket book.
Many people are
under the assumption that modular homes are more difficult to
finance. This is untrue. In fact, because of the popularity that
modular homes have gained in recent years, many financial
institutions are excited about financing a modular home due to
faster completion times, fewer cost overruns and overall client
feedback.
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The Building Process
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A modular home can
be built from existing plans or generated from your ideas of
your “dream home.” There are so many options to choose from. The
modular home system uses computer generated plans to meet all
national, state, and local building standards.
Modular homes are built to the state of local
regulations of wherever the home is to be
transported. In order to ensure that each home
passes inspection, This means every step of the
home's construction is reviewed and checked by
inspectors who are up-to-date on state and local
codes of the home's final destination.
Framing for a
modular home is the same as a traditional home except that
modular homes use an average of 20 to 30 percent more material
to guarantee a safe trip to the site and long term structural
integrity. Modular homes are built in a climate-controlled
environment using the same high quality materials used in
traditionally custom built homes. Quality control is maintained
throughout the building process.
Construction of a
modular home follows the same path as traditionally built homes.
The floor is built first, with great care taken to build a
strong foundation, since this is what will carry the weight of
the rest of the structure. Next, the walls are added with sheet
rock already in place. Electrical, plumbing, wiring, and
insulation are next.
After this, the
exterior, roofing, and siding are put in place. And finally,
windows, doors, bath and kitchen fixtures, cabinets, and others
are added. Once the construction is complete, the structure is
weather tight and transported to your building site to be
constructed.
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Making the
Right Choice
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Because modular homes are built in factories,
you benefit from the assembly line production
process. Labor is used with maximum efficiency,
with skilled craftsman moving between
workstations on the factory floor. Superior
quality control, reduced waste, and faster
completion (90-120 days versus 7-12 months for
site-built construction) are primary benefits.
Other benefits
include less maintenance and lower energy bills, as well as the
ability to design your own home with all of the amenities you
want.
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Design Flexibility
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Energy Efficiency
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Modular vs. Stick
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 Unlike
stick built homes, modular homes are built indoors in a
climate controller facility built by skilled craftsman
highly trained in their specific field. Modular homes
are not exposed to the elements during construction, and
ready to be transported to your building site, unlike
stick built homes. Modular home are inspected to meet
or exceed your local at states
building codes, before your home leaves the factory.
Modular homes are built to withstand the rigors of
ground transportation and being transferred by crane on
there foundations. Modular homes come complete with
drywall, flooring, ceiling, wiring, plumbing; interior
fixtures, primed interior walls, siding, roofing
materials, windows, doors and molding, unlike
traditional homes were these items require multiple
workers, delays and possibilities of theft.
Unlike
stick built homes, modular home owners are able to move
into their homes in less time, with less stress and
little to no weather delays. Once your home is placed on
your foundation, it will be inspected by your local
building and state inspectors to make sure your home
meets the requirements of your community. Modular homes
are less costly to build than conventional stick built
homes because the manufactures are able to purchase a
higher quantity of materials at volume prices without
sacrificing quality, and pass the saving onto the
homeowner.
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Modular Homes
Stronger than Site Built, FEMA Says
Building
System Magazine, March 2003
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Proponents of modular homes have
long maintained that the building system produces
structures that are far stronger than site-built
structures. For example, the modular sections are well
built to withstand the stresses of highway travel,
containing up to 30% more building materials than a
comparable site-built home. Drywall is often both
glued and screwed to wall studs and triple headers
are used over window openings and around stairwells to
withstand the stress of transportation and being lifted
by a crane.
Recently
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirmed
that modular homes withstood a hurricane far better than
site-built housing. In its report "building Performance:
Hurricane Andrew in Florida," assessment teams from FEMA
concluded that modular homes withstood the 131-155 mph
winds of the Category 4 storm in August 1992 far better
than site-built housing.
"Overall,
relatively minimal structural damage was noted in
modular housing developments. The module-to-module
combination of units appears to have provided an
inherently rigid system that performed much better than
conventional residential framing. This was evident in
both the transverse and longitudinal directions of the
modular buildings," claims the report.
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Why is a modular
home right for you?
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Remodeling, Additions & Teardowns Made Easy With Modular
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Modular
Goes Multi-Family & Commercial
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By Land
Or Sea: Modular Homes Go Anywhere
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