Home, Land, Property Buying and Selling - Modular Homes?
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BamaRocks
12-19-07, 10:07 PM
I am moving out to New Mexico soon and will finally be able to invest in a house (I currently live in NYC so can't afford it). While doing a bit of research online I came across a company called Falcon Ridge that makes modular homes on permanent foundations. They claim that the houses are just as good as site built houses as far as looks, but hold together better over time and are a bit cheaper.
Anyone know anything about these kinds of houses? Is this something I should look into a bit more or avoid? Thanks
Anyone know anything about these kinds of houses? Is this something I should look into a bit more or avoid? Thanks
marksr
12-20-07, 05:21 AM
Welcome to the forums!
A modular home is one that is built in sections, hauled out to the jobsite and set on a foundation [site built] with a crane. After it is all set in place it doesn't take long to finish up the house to make it move in ready. The big savings is because they are mostly factory built which means no delays because of weather or materials not on the job.
IMO most modular homes are equal to a similiar stick built [on location] home. They are built a lot better and use better materials than a mobile home. Some insurance companies rate them the same as a mobile home = higher premiums :eek:
Before agreeing to buy from a particular dealer, ask and check for previous customers - especially ones that have been living in a modular home for a few years.
A modular home is one that is built in sections, hauled out to the jobsite and set on a foundation [site built] with a crane. After it is all set in place it doesn't take long to finish up the house to make it move in ready. The big savings is because they are mostly factory built which means no delays because of weather or materials not on the job.
IMO most modular homes are equal to a similiar stick built [on location] home. They are built a lot better and use better materials than a mobile home. Some insurance companies rate them the same as a mobile home = higher premiums :eek:
Before agreeing to buy from a particular dealer, ask and check for previous customers - especially ones that have been living in a modular home for a few years.
joka
12-31-07, 07:19 PM
My wife and I did a prefab house. So far it has been great.. I think like any purchase of this caliber, do your research. Different manufactures use different quality of materials, so it can all vary. Once we found a the manufacture we designed the house from scratch. We were able to customize it up until they started the build..
Some other thoughts.
Our insurance treats it as a stick built house. We inquired about this and the manufacture said this is now an urban myth. That as long as the house is permanent then it doesnt matter where the house was built. But again this was from the manufacture so I cant vouch 100% for the accuracy.
The process moves FAST. Unlike a stick built house where things move along slowly and changes can be made in process (ie change order) there really isnt much of an opportunity to make changes once they start building. We went to the factory while our house was being build (luckly it was an 30 minutes from the house) on the third day of the build. By the time we got there the first module was already down the line with framing and electric and plumbing roughed in. There is no chance to make changes once started, so you need to be confident of your plans. We broke ground april 1st and moved in May 28th.
It does save money. We saved quite a bit from traditional building. Additionally since we lived in Vermont we were trying to avoid traditional delays that accompany vermont.
Hope this helps
Some other thoughts.
Our insurance treats it as a stick built house. We inquired about this and the manufacture said this is now an urban myth. That as long as the house is permanent then it doesnt matter where the house was built. But again this was from the manufacture so I cant vouch 100% for the accuracy.
The process moves FAST. Unlike a stick built house where things move along slowly and changes can be made in process (ie change order) there really isnt much of an opportunity to make changes once they start building. We went to the factory while our house was being build (luckly it was an 30 minutes from the house) on the third day of the build. By the time we got there the first module was already down the line with framing and electric and plumbing roughed in. There is no chance to make changes once started, so you need to be confident of your plans. We broke ground april 1st and moved in May 28th.
It does save money. We saved quite a bit from traditional building. Additionally since we lived in Vermont we were trying to avoid traditional delays that accompany vermont.
Hope this helps
Integrator97
01-05-08, 05:48 PM
I've seen double wide mobile homes on a foundation be called modular homes. So I'd make sure what you're getting, and check the quality. Not saying it's bad, just do your homework.
BamaRocks
01-11-08, 01:19 PM
Thanks for all the great info!! I had a chance to go out to the area over the holidays and drove around to check out some of the different houses I had been looking at online. The modular homes ended looking as nice as any of the stick built ones I looked at. I can now consider one of these a bit more. Thanks again for the info. :D