A "Systems Built" modular home is stick built in a factory and then carried in sections by special trucks to the building site where a local builder puts it together using a crane to lift the modules (sections) onto the foundation.
Modular homes are computer-engineered to meet and exceed all national, state and local building standards. With hundreds of stock plans to start withnd the ability to computer-generate unlimited variations, the design of your "dream home" is only limited to your imagination. As with traditional building methods, a Modular home starts with its framework. Modular homes typically contain 20% to 30% more lumber in the framing to insure a safe and secure trip to its destination.
Modular homes are stick-built in a modern, controlled facility. They are precision engineered for a lifetime of trouble-free, structural durability. Quality control is maintained by constant inspection throughout the construction process.
Understanding the differance between a modular home and a manufactured home (Mobile Home)
" A Manufactured home is not the same thing as a Modular Home"
verses a 100% field built home.
Reduced Waste
Waste materials are minimized, and the waste generated is much more easily reused and recycled in a factory environment. Everybody is talking, “GREEN” today and many modular home facilities around the country are starting to utilize recyclable materials into their homes.
Better Cost-Control
The homeowner's worst nightmare is to get half way through the project, and the builder tells you the project is way over budget and needs more money or else he'll walk from the job. Factory built homes are produced at a guaranteed price that is negotiated prior to the start of the project.
Best Value
Modular homes are built in factories and benefit from the assembly line production process. The factories buy huge quantities of lumber, drywall, carpet, paint, etc., so they pay much less for each and can have large quantities delivered at one time. Labor is used with maximum efficiency, with skilled craftsman moving between workstations on the factory floor. In addition if the project is financed through a construction loan, the reduced time to build the home saves on interest .
Increased Energy Efficiency
Superior factory insulating procedures and precision building techniques make the "Systems Built" very efficient energy conservation home. This cost savings lasts every year you're living in the house.
Less Site Impact
Since the site schedule is compressed, far fewer materials are stored on-site, fewer workers are on-site for less time and make less noise, and there is generally no need to have large dumpsters sitting around for extended periods--if at all. This all makes for happier neighbors.
Avoid Field Inspection Issues
Often you really don't know what quality you're getting with a site-built house. Modular homes are thoroughly checked out before they leave the factories. A quality control process provides 100% assurance that your home has been inspected for code compliance and workmanship. In-plant inspectors as well as independent inspection agencies inspect the home on behalf of your state and local governments prior to it being transported to the site.
Manufactured houses are pre-constructed completely in the factory on a permanent, fixed steel chassis.Typical Manufactured homes have low pitch roof systems that don't required "standing up" in the field. Some manufactured home produces have increase the pitch of the roof in an attempt to make the roof look like a standard roof system found on a modular home.
Manufactured homes have wheels attached so they can be towed via automobile or truck.
The construction of a manufactured home abide by a Federal HUD building code, This is the same code that trailers are built under.
Once ready for occupation the entire trailer is towed to the residential site via their own wheels.
Trailers remain on their wheels, and aren't put on a permanent foundation, so they can be moved.
Manufactured homes often find semi-permanent residence in a trailer park or summer park. Many are towed off site during the winter months.
Families often use trailer homes for recreational camping. They tow them via automobile or truck to various camp sites and state parks during the summer months, and park them in a garage or driveway during the winter months.
Building inspectors are sometimes called in to inspect the electrical and propane gas hookups, but trailers do not need to pass a building code for occupation.
Manufactured homes, or trailers, are far less expensive than modular homes.
Manufactured homes will always decrease in home equity, and upon sale are often sold for 1/2 to 1/4 of the original sale price.