A GUIDE TO MODULAR HOMES

Searching the Internet for modular homes is quite an undertaking.  There are so many possibilities that by the time your done looking for the evening you simply aren’t much more informed than when you started.  So here are just some of the types of homes and where to buy them that you will encounter on the net.
TYPES AND STYLES  Let’s take a look at what is being offered as far as styles.
First you will find manufactured homes or “HUD” homes.  These are built to Housing and Urban Development standards and are often called trailers, single wides and double wides.  Some of them are very attractive and look very similar to site built homes.

Then within these single wide types there are the eco-friendly, Green homes built by some of the leading Architects in the country.  Most feature a flatter pitch roof than a traditional home and are built to the tough IRC for the state they are being shipped.  Many are multi-module units but they still look a lot like double wides.

The next modular type is the “HUDULAR”, a home typically manufactured in the same factories that build HUD single and double wides.  These homes are built to IRC standards but have a metal undercarriage and share a lot of the same materials as their HUD cousins.

Next on the list are what can best be described as semi-custom modular homes.  Built to exacting IRC building codes, these homes offer a good value for the new home buyer.  But there is a major downside to these homes.  They are designed to allow only pre-designed options to be added, such as modified kitchens, family rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms.  If you are looking to build a home you personally designed, this may not be the best choice.

Custom modular homes fall into two categories. The first one is the most popular type of modular home in the country.  Take your plans to a factory authorized builder and more than likely you will get a home that can be modularized.  They are built to IRC standards but offer a ton of standard options and allow the homeowner to get some special order items as well.  Here is where Energy Star and Green building methods find their true homes.  Here are an examples of this type.

 
The second type of custom modular home is the “Architect designed” home.  There are a couple of these type of factories throughout the US and you can find their homes in the $200 and up per sq ft range.  Everything about them is pure custom design and I’ve seen as many as 25 modules delivered to the jobsite for one house!

As you can see there are homes to fit anyone’s style and budget. 

WHERE TO BUY A MANUFACTURED AND MODULAR HOMES. Here again the choices are numerous.
Almost all HUD homes (double-wides, etc) are sold through street or lot dealers.  They usually have the homes set with furniture. 

The Eco-friendly, Green Architect designed “single and double” style are usually bought directly through the Architect or company that is building them. Even though you are buying direct and the company is setting and finishing the home, the price tag can quickly approach $150-300 a sq ft.

The HUDULAR and Semi-Custom homes are available through either smaller builders or street lot dealers.  Because these homes don’t demand as much attention to detail as their totally custom cousins, they are the choice of small builders and dealers. 

The custom modular and Architect designed modular home builders are usually experienced site builders that have made the switch to modular and are hands on during the ordering, set and finish of y0ur home. They stand behind their work and many will only build a few homes a year because they are detail oriented builders and take full responsibility for your new home.

Lastly there are the “direct to the buyer” web sites.  If you are willing to do most of the hands-on work and be responsible obtaining financing and for setting your new home along with all the finishing and subcontracting, then this is a good option.  The “direct to you” dealer is just that…a dealer.  They help put together the home plans and factory order but after the home is delivered they usually are only available in an advisory capacity.  Getting factories to make repairs to a home that was owner-built can be quite arduous. 

“Direct to You” homes usually end in problems for the construction challenged person or couple.