Ø Modular Homes or Prefab
Homes as they are also known are built in a controlled factory environment, not out in the elements like a stick built home.
All materials are protected from weather during the production process so the chance of mold growth due to the elements
is all but removed. Quality of the air in a home is very important and mold can have serious effects on that air quality.
Ø All modular homes are precision
engineered for a lifetime of trouble free structural durability. An “indoor” assembly line
production process using gigs assures this precision by allowing consistency and quality throughout the building process.
Ø Quality control is maintained by constant inspection in these controlled factory conditions
throughout the whole construction process by factory inspectors and third party inspectors who are responsible for certifying/sealing
the plans for each home to assure they comply with state & local codes for the state the home is being delivered to.
Ø Quality control is easier
to maintain because it is easier for a factory to hire quality skilled workers who have regular work, receive benefits, work
in better conditions and are thoroughly trained. These workers are throughly trained in many areas of the
factory and able to move from work station to work station allowing maximum efficiency in the construction process helping
to lower prices. Stick builders generally have a difficult time hiring and keeping good quality workers
so consistency in quality of work is difficult to achieve and therefore maintain. Also independent sub contractors hired
on site are much more expensive to hire.
Ø Construction time is dramatically faster because the foundation
and site work are being done at the same time the house is being built inside the factory.
Ø A House can be built in a factory under controlled conditions generally
in 5-10 working days depending on the size and complexity of the home. It can take several months and in
many cases much longer for stick built home to be built on site.
Ø
No delays from Sub contractors not showing
up. No delays from materials not being delivered on time. No delays due to inclement
weather.
Ø No need to wait for local inspections to proceed to the next step during the construction process.
A third party inspection agency certifies that the final building plans comply with all state and local building codes
taking the local building inspectors out of the equation until final inspections are needed for the certificate of occupancy.
Ø Completion date can be
guaranteed since 80% to 90% of the home is built in a controlled factory environment.
Ø Higher quality construction because typically 20% - 30% more lumber that is nailed, screwed and glued is used in the
framing & construction of each home because the home must be road worthy and able to be lifted by a crane.
Ø Higher quality construction because exterior walls are 2" x 6", not the minimum
2" x 4" which is what most stick builders use. This allows for a Higher R-Value of Insulation making the home
more Energy Efficient.
Ø Better sound proofing between floors because each module has a floor & ceiling along
with a 2" x 6" (on the flat) between the ceiling and 2" x 10" floor joists on the 2nd floor. With stick
built, the ceiling of the first floor is generally the floor of the 2nd floor making it easier to hear movement
& noise on the second floor.
Ø High quality brand names are used through out the construction process.
COST SAVINGS
Ø Cost for a modular home is lower than a stick built home because factories buy large
quantities of materials (lumber, windows, carpet, sheet rock, etc…) all at one time at a discount and they are delivered
to one location reducing freight costs. Site built homes are forced to buy small quantities of materials
for each home site and delivered to different job sites with much greater freight costs and considerably less discounts from
the manufacturers. Saving fuel is green.
Ø Cost is less expensive because the skilled workers travel to
one location every day and only travel between workstations on the factory floor.
Ø
Cost is lower because on site sub contractors
are normally independent businesses with higher overhead costs so they must charge more to run wires, pipes, do sheet rock,
etc… In a factory, “full time” skilled workers are trained to do this work at a great price reduction.
Ø Cost is lower because there is an immediate savings in construction interest because modular
homes are completed several months faster than stick built.
Ø No Cost overruns that are typical with traditional site
stick built homes which means no unforeseen expenses not in your budget. Once the final plan is approved
and price agreed to, the home and price for it is put under contract.
Ø
Cost Savings continue after you move
in due to greater energy efficiency provided by precision engineering and construction methods as well as quality insulation
keeping your heating and cooling bills lower. This of course helps in resale some day in the future as
well.
Ø Home is backed
by a 10 year warranty (in writing) against any structural defects. Stick Built Homes generally do not have
a warranty with this depth of coverage.
