Are you familiar with the many Advantages of Modular Homes?
There are many advantages of modular homes. Design flexibility, speed of construction, and energy efficiency name a few of the many. 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 in MN. When coupled with the fact that building supplies are stored in on-site warehouses, it virtually eliminates the chance that wet materials will be used when building the modular home. The fact that modular homes are constructed in a controlled factory environment eliminates the possibility that lumber with mold will be used in the home.
Design Flexibility of Modular Housing
Modular housing construction allows for hundreds of options and design possibilities. We, as a builder, will work with you to determine the type of home and design that best suits your needs. We offer a wide range of floor plans to choose from in a variety of styles. We will also offer a huge selection of options to customize the home you select. You can modify or upgrade our standard construction specifications, design your own floor plans and elevations, select the style of windows or siding, choose colors of vinyl, carpet, counter-tops, etc… The possibilities are pretty much endless.
Speed of Modular Construction & 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, along with a manufacturer’s skilled work force having years of experience in the building industry and working year round within the factory. There are no delays from “no-show subs” as may often be the case with a site-built home.
Modular Homes are 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 jugs 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.
Modular Housing: Inspection & Regulation
Before a modular home manufacturer begins construction, all building plans must be reviewed and approved in each state where the home will be placed. We have such approvals for MN, SD, ND, WI, & NE. Homes must be designed and built to the state code where the home will be shipped and installed. 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 inspector 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 local building code.
Stringent Building Codes
Modular homes are built to the same building codes used by conventional site-builders. As noted above, an independent inspector will certify that the home has been manufactured in conformance with the approved plans and complies with all building code provisions for the location where the home will be erected.
The Energy Efficiency of Modular Housing
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, all of our homes use 2” x 6” exterior wall construction. This allows the maximum insulation to be placed in the wall, therefore ensuring the greatest energy efficiency. Finally, our 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 us to place more sealants such as foam & caulk in areas that site builders have no access to. For example, a manufacturer is able to create a better seal around electrical outlets & fixtures because they can access the walls behind, above and under these areas.
Shipping, Stability & Superior Strength of Modular Homes
After construction in the factory, the modules are loaded for transport. To handle the rigors of shipping, each modular home is constructed with roughly twenty to thirty percent more material than a traditional stick-built home (for example, drywall is typically glued with a special adhesive and then screwed to the framing). This greatly increases structural strength of the home as noted in a recent FEMA study on hurricanes.
Modular Homes are 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 our manufacturing facility. This results in less waste and excess materials are able to be recycled.
Modular Housing Cost Considerations
Cost overruns are very unusual in our business. 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). Because of the reduced construction time, there is reduced interest on construction financing, resulting in you paying 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.
Skilled Subcontractors
One of the problems that today’s site builders have is finding skilled subcontractors. Because modular homes are built in factories, the subcontractors are already there. Skilled craftspeople construct each home to exact specifications. In addition, the homes are built with brand name building products that you know & trust. Both in-house personnel and an independent agency inspect all homes during and after construction to ensure that every home meets our high standards and code requirements.
