While many people may think that a modular home is a “manufactured home” or an “on-frame home” a true modular home contains all the characteristics of a traditionally built home, along with several benefits. Providing more flexibility than standard construction, without the steel undercarriage of manufactured homes, modular homes are a popular option for new construction in today’s society and economy.
How is a Modular Home Built?
Modular homes are constructed in a controlled environment, often room by room, and transported to the job site when they are 90% to 95% complete. They are built in the same way that traditional homes are constructed, but since they are constructed in a factory, there are less sub-contractors, delays and expenses involved.
Once on the job site, the homes are pieced together in the same manner as traditional construction and the home is finished. With this efficiency, comes several other benefits, such as time and money saved, as well as less energy expended.
Modular homes must undergo the same inspection process as traditionally built homes, which helps to ensure their quality. In fact, because of the transport involved in modular homes, they are often constructed of 20% to 30% more material than traditional homes, making them stronger and in many cases, better built.
Green Modular Homes
Modular homes are an extremely attractive option for those interested in green building. Due to the controlled environment in which they are built, modular homes are extremely energy efficient, making them more environmentally friendly than other building methods.
Many modular homes are also being constructed of recycled steel, plastic and other materials, as well as sustainably harvested wood. Most modular homes are also built Energy Star certified meaning that they use 15% less energy than traditional homes.
Build a Custom Modular Home
Modular homes can be built either according to a “kit” or a pre-made floor plan, or they can be customized to accommodate the homeowner in the same way that traditional homes are. Since modular homes generally cost 15% to 30% less than a traditionally built home, this gives homeowners more flexibility in their budget to include customized items they might otherwise have had to pass up.
Building Time
Modular homes can be constructed in substantially less time than traditionally built homes. This is a benefit to homeowners who are building before they put a current house on the market, or are renting a home in the meantime, further cutting costs.
When these factors are taken together, potential builders are able to use modular building toconstruct a custom, energy efficient home for less time and money than traditional homes, with a potential savings in energy costs for years to come. Homeowners looking to build or add an addition to their home will do well to consider modular home construction for their project and reap the benefits for years to come.
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