Modular Housing

A modular home is simply a home built offsite, in an indoor factory setting, to a local state code. In most cases, states have adopted the International Residential Code, or IRC. These homes are often called “factory-built,” “systems-built” or “prefab homes.” A modular home starts out as sections, or modules, that have been built in a climate-controlled area and then transported to the building site and assembled, often with the help of cranes. This assembly process can be likened to building with Lego blocks. A high percentage of modular homes in the U.S. are built by traditional manufactured home manufacturers with same assembly line production system utilized in producing HUD code homes, but built to IRC standards for factory-built homes. These factory-built homes are usually single story with two or three completed sections, requiring minimal site assembly other than mating of the sections. Manufactured home modules are primarily built “on-frame,” with the frame and chassis removed after transport to site. “Off frame”requires sections to be hauled on flat bed trailers and usually requires crane services to assist with home placement.

A modular home will be equal or superior in construction quality and have a price considerably less than a comparable site-built home. Because they are built indoors, they can be completed in a matter of a few weeks, as opposed to months. Additionally, they don’t see the typical on-site delays caused predominantly by weather or climate-related problems. Modular homes are permanent structures, that is to say – “real property” – and as such, qualify for same financing terms, rates, and conditions as site-built homes.