What do people look for in modular homes? When buying a modular home, people look for quality construction and builders with a good reputation in the market. The number one thing to look for when buying...
The number one thing to look for when buying a modular home is a builder with experienced engineers on staff, says modular home expert Chris Fatta. Fatta is a representative of Haven Homes, which manufactures quality modular homes according to customer specifications. They can work with almost any architect's floor plan to create a custom modular home.
Before choosing a modular home manufacturer you should do research on the modular home industry to know what to look for.
"If you are familiar with the modular construction technique and have a modular builder with a fine reputation, then you know that you are going to get a home of the highest quality that is energy efficient. They are going to have the advantage in speed of construction, and affordability," says Fatta.
Experienced engineers, reputation, quality materials, energy efficiency, speed of construction, and price are just a few things to consider when evaluating modular homes. You should not compromise on any of these areas. You should expect that your new modular home is made from the highest quality materials available, that inspectors are utilized on the assembly line to ensure quality standards, that the home is highly energy efficient, that it will be delivered from the factory in approximately two weeks, and that it can be constructed on site in another two to eight weeks depending on the contractor you choose.
You should also expect the manufacturer to offer a variety of floor plans, sizes, interior fixtures, and custom features for you to choose from. Modular homes are available in sizes from about 1,000 square feet to over 4,000 square feet in many styles such as ranch, Cape Cod, split-level, and two-story designs. You can choose from features such as multiple car garages, sun rooms, and hi-speed internet wiring. You should expect a modular home to be priced around the same as a "stick-built" home or less. The transportation cost of the modular unit is one consideration, so you may want to look for a manufacturer located as close to your building site as possible without compromising quality. You should also expect the manufacturer to provide a reasonable warranty on your new modular home.
One sign of an experienced and reputable manufacturer is that they have plenty of custom options to offer their clients. If you are shown limited options or choices for floor plans and interior or exterior finishings, it may be a warning sign that this manufacturer has little experience or is cutting corners. For example, Fatta says Haven Homes even offers a log cabin exterior for their modular homes. And customers have two options - authentic or composite wood.
"There are materials out there that resemble real logs and one of our suppliers can provide us with a real log that is split in half to be used as siding," explains Fatta.
A popular way of choosing a modular home is to find a builder/dealer in your area who constructs homes from a manufacturer that you are comfortable with. The builder can then help you sort through building codes, custom options, price, and other considerations that will make your home unique.
