Benefits of Modular

A modular home is unique because it is built in a climate-controlled factory. Building in this way reduces the chances of weather related delays or problems. When coupled with the fact that building supplies are stored in on-site warehouses, it also virtually eliminates the chance that wet materials will be used when building the modular home.

flexibility Benefits of Modular

Design Flexibility of Modular Housing

Modular housing construction allows for hundreds of options and design possibilities and your builder will work with you and your home manufacturer to determine the type and design of modular home that best suits your needs. They’ll generally offer a wide range of house plans to choose from in a variety of styles. They’ll also offer a range of options to customize the home you select. Allowing for state building codes, you can modify or upgrade your general construction specifications, design your own floor plans and elevations, pick the style of windows or siding, choose colors of vinyl, carpet, countertops and bath fixtures. The possibilities are endless.

reduced-time-new Benefits of Modular

Reduced Building Time

Because modular homes are typically built in about 1/3 the time needed to construct a site-built home, with careful planning you can often be in your new home within weeks of selecting it. This is because overall building time is reduced by concurrent site work and home construction. (This also allows for reduced interest on construction financing). In addition, a manufacturer’s highly skilled work force has years of experience in the building industry and works year round within the factory. This means that there are no delays from “no-show subs” as may often be the case with a site-built home.

better-construction Benefits of Modular

Better Quality Construction

Because modular homes are built in factories, manufacturers are able to utilize tools unavailable to the site builder such as custom manufactured jigs which ensure that all walls, floors and ceilings are square and plumb. In addition, interior walls are lag-bolted to the exterior walls and bracing and insulation are installed on all electrical outlet boxes. Finally, straps brace the wall to the floor.

regulation-and-inspection Benefits of Modular

Inspection & Regulation

Before a modular home manufacturer begins construction, all building plans must be reviewed and approved in each state where the manufacturer intends to sell homes. Homes must be designed and built to the code for the state where the home will be shipped for final location. The manufacturers contract with state approved third party plan review agencies, which conduct plan review on behalf of the state. The modular manufacturer also contracts with a third party inspection agency that is licensed by the states to perform the in-plant inspection while the home is in production. When the housing sections or modules are complete, the third party places a label on the home certifying that the home has been manufactured in conformance with the approved plans and complies with all provisions of the building code.

energy-effeciency Benefits of Modular

Energy Efficiency

Quality engineering and the latest construction techniques significantly increase the energy-efficiency of your new modular home. This ensures it will be economical to own and comfortable to live in regardless of the weather. In addition, most modular homes use two-by-six (2 x 6) framing for the walls. This allows more insulation to be placed in the wall, thereby ensuring greater energy efficiency. Finally, modular homes have much less air infiltration, which is one of the largest causes of heat loss in a home. The fact that these homes are constructed in a factory allows the manufacturer to place more sealants, such as caulking, in problem areas that site builders have no access to. For example, a manufacturer is able to create a better seal around electrical outlet and fixtures because they can access the walls behind, above and underneath these areas.

enviroment-friendly Benefits of Modular

Environmentally Friendly

Modular home construction is more environmentally friendly than its site-built counterpart. Engineered construction materials are utilized, and effective in-plant recycling is in place at most modular home manufacturing facilities. This means that all the excess materials are able to be recycled. This may not sound impressive, but one of the dirty secrets of site builders is the amount of waste a new site built home generates. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center, the “typical” waste for a new 2,000 square foot site built home is eight thousand (8,000) pounds or fifty (50) cubic yards. In 2000, the cost to dispose of this averaged $511 per home. Consequently, while waste from a site built home typically goes in a landfill, waste from a modular home is recycled.

cost-effecient Benefits of Modular

Cost Considerations

Cost overruns are virtually unheard of in the modular industry. As mentioned above, climate controlled factories ensure there are no weather related construction delays. In addition, there are no cost overruns from “no-show subs” (as may often be the case with a site built home). Next, because of the reduced construction time there is reduced interest on construction financing which means you, the consumer, pay less on your loans. Finally, because of the volume of homes a typical manufacturer builds in a year, additional savings occurs through volume purchasing of materials and yearly buying contracts with suppliers.