What is a Modular Home?
Modular homes are built off-site, usually in an indoor, quality-controlled setting. Modular homes are completed in sections called modules, according to specific plans. These sections are then transported to the final build site where they are installed on the foundation and completed at build site by builders.
That’s different from traditional construction, also called “site-built” or “stick-built.” In this method, your home is fully constructed at the building site.
Modular homes are built to equal or higher standards than stick-built homes. The building method is also referred to as prefabricated or ‘prefab’ construction.
Modular housing is becoming more popular than ever with design-savvy buyers who want the flexibility to choose their floor plans, interior finishes and styles. Mesocore Modular Homes offers multiple models for those looking to build modular.
Modular homes are NOT the same as Manufactured homes.
Modular homes should not be confused with manufactured homes, also known as mobile homes, which are built entirely in a factory on a chassis or metal frame with wheels, then transported in one piece and placed on a temporary foundation, such as concrete blocks. Manufactured homes can generally be moved at a later date. Manufactured homes also may not need to adhere to local building codes, only needing to be built to the federal HUD building codes in most cases.
Modular homes, by contrast, is a factory-built permanent home that a builder constructs and places on a foundation. Modular homes are permanent homes that cannot be moved once completed and are built to local building codes.
In addition, since modular homes are permanent homes, they appreciate in value just as a stick-built house would. But manufactured homes since being non-permanent structures do not hold their value as they are not considered real estate.
What are the Advantages of Modular Homes vs. Traditionally Built On-Site Homes?
Speed of Construction and Completion Time
The majority of the modular house being constructed takes place in a factory where it can be completed in weeks, and then the modular unit is transported to final build site where the house is completed on-site and tied into the local infrastructure grids. Weather plays less of a factor in modular construction than stick-built homes as majority of construction is completed in a factory and not outside at build site. Also, there are no delivery delays to build sites since the completed module is delivered to the site.
Cost Savings & Environmentally Friendly
Modular homes typically cost less than stick-built homes since they are built quicker in a factory with no material or weather delays. Modular homes can be more environmentally friendly, too. According to the Modular Home Builders Association, since they’re built in a factory, they produce about half as much construction waste as site-built homes.Quality can be higher
A modular home can be of superior quality to a site-built home, primarily because the materials are built in a climate-controlled environment, not exposed to the elements, from cold to precipitation to humidity. Modular construction also often benefits from better quality control than when modular builders supervise multiple subcontractors working off-site.
Mesocore Modular Home Quality Control
We manufacture our modular homes in an indoor factory environment. This means we are able to keep the level of quality in our homes to a higher standard than building in a traditional sense. For example, we are able to test the electrical and plumbing systems before we ship our Modular house to your build site.
Can Modular Homes be Financed?
Modular homes can utilize construction to permanent financing just as if you were building a regular house. The process begins with a construction loan during the building phase, and then once the modular home is complete, your loan will be converted into a “permanent” loan. Mesocore homes utilize RenoFi as their finance partner, you can even use them to secure the land to build your Mesocore Modular home!
