Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about what sets modular and manufactured homes apart from homes built using other construction methods.
Why opt for a Modular or Manufactured Home? There are many reasons. For one, your home’s materials are not exposed to the elements; and two, weather related scheduling delays are practically non-existent. These two factors alone assist in reducing budgetary setbacks. In the end, modular and manufactured construction just makes sense, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have questions. At Factory Home Center we’ve accumulated some of the most commonly asked questions and answers to help better educate you on the manufactured and modular housing industry.
Is a modular home the same as a manufactured home?
In short, no. While both fall under the prefabricated or factory-built construction method, there are a few differences, including building code requirements and size constraints.
Manufactured Homes
Manufactured homes are predominately single-story homes constructed entirely in a factory with federal standards enforced by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Upon final setting and utility hook-up, the home is pretty-much ready to be lived in - with the flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, appliances and plumbing already pre-installed at the factory.
Modular Homes
On the other hand, modular homes can be one-story, two-story, cape-cod or loft style dwellings that are built to the International Residential Code (IRC). A modular home is basically a stick-built house that is built in sections in a factory, and are attached together over a crawlspace or basement. The interior amenities (plumbing, electrical, etc.) are installed at the home site and are governed by local building codes.
Can a modular home have more than one level?
Yes! Much like site-built homes, multiple levels are available with modular home construction. At Factory Home Center we can construct Cape Cod style homes, two-story homes, and loft homes. View our Inventory to see a wide variety of the homes we are capable of building.
Are modular homes energy efficient?
The efficiency of today's modular homes is comparable and often better than traditional site-built homes. They use the same energy efficient windows, doors, furnaces, and appliances. In the end, modular homes are basically stick built houses constructed in an indoor environmentally controlled setting.
The fact that modular homes are built indoors lends them toward being energy efficient. The modules (rooms) must be built strong enough to withstand the stress of transportation. Some are so well built and airtight that they include heat recovery and fresh air ventilation systems. Modular homes are also constructed with 2x6 wall studs, which is two inches deeper than typical stick-built homes. The deeper walls provide for more air tightness, extra wall insulation and less settling.
Another advantage of being built in a factory is quality control. All wall, floor and ceiling components are sized and assembled in jigs and aligned with laser precision. This precision assists with proper sealing around doors, windows, and vents.
What is the typical home buying process?
At Factory Home Center our typical home buying / building process follows this structure:
- Access and verify the land / lot the new home will be placed on
- Site Preparation
- Footing Installation
- Set the Home
- Complete the Exterior
- Install the Anchoring System (Stabilizing System)
- Complete the Interior
- Connect the Utilities
- Install Appliances & Equipment
- Utilities Testing
- Complete the Exterior Work
- Alternate Construction (if applicable)
- Clean the Home
- Closing
What are some additional project costs outside of the home costs?
Here are some additional expenses to consider when building a home with us:
- LAND
- WELL, SEWER & HOOK-UPS
- EXCAVATION, DRIVEWAY, LANDSCAPING, CHECK FOR RADON, DIG HOLE, BACKFILL, DRAIN TILE, TRENCH SEWER & WATER LINES TO FOUNDATION
- ELECTRIC, GAS AND ONSITE HOOK-UPS (LP CONVERSIONS)
- FOUNDATION
- PLUMBING & HEATING; INSTALLING MECHS, HOOK-UP SEWER & WATER LINES, DUCT WORK
- BUILDING PERMIT
- DUMPSTER
- FINANCING & CLOSING COSTS
- GARAGE
Learn more about additional packages and construction services offered at FHC.
Can modular homes be customized and can they save you money?
Yes! Modular Homes are very customizable; virtually any house plan can be adapted to meet your needs and desires. At Factory Home Center our design flexibility allows you to change just about any feature of the home, including the number, type, and size of rooms.
As far as money savings, your Modular Home will be constructed in a controlled environment. It will not suffer weather related damage, such as warped wood or wet drywall, equating to fewer repairs later on and an overall healthier home. Our building systems effectively utilize construction and tradesmen efficiencies; pair that with our well-established purchasing-power and you'll be saving money in a variety of areas. Another key money-saving advantage to Modular Homes is the fact that while the site is being prepared your home is being built. This double-duty timeline means you move in faster!
What are the benefits of a modular home versus a "stick-built" home?
There are a number of great benefits when it comes to opting for a modular home, including but not limited to less stress, increased quality control, the creation of jobs, and of course a custom built, quality home that will provide a lifetime of enjoyment.
By breaking these down a little further you can see the true benefits:
- Less Stress - When it comes to building a modular home, the manufacturer has an increased ability to save time, keeping the project on or ahead of schedule. This time saving also results in money savings, keeping the project on budget.
- Increased Quality Control - Because a good portion of your modular home will be constructed in a factory, quality control is much easier to maintain. Weather is no longer a factor for delaying progress, materials are not exposed to the outside elements, and the assembly-line build style results in more precise construction.
- The Creation of Jobs - Modular housing actually assists in increasing jobs not only in the construction industry but also in the sales and transportation industries. Once your home is complete at the factory, it still requires professional transportation and, in some cases, a good deal of finishing work by licensed contractors, sub-contractors and excavators.
- Custom Built, Quality Home - Going modular allows you to customize your new home to the max, just about anything you can imagine can be integrated into your modular home design. The common misconception is that modular housing is a one- size-fits- all home, or that you can only get what you see in the brochure. This is so far from the truth; modular homes can be one-story, split-levels, two stories and even loft-style homes ranging in size from a few hundred square feet to thousands of square feet. In the end, factory built homes offer all the amenities of traditionally built homes, often at reduced cost and increased quality.
Do manufactured homes have a "shelf-life"?
You live in a manufactured home. Your neighbor lives in a stick-built home. They are both predominantly constructed of wood and metal. So what's the difference? Aside from intentional differences in construction, there isn't one.
The regular routine in a home is to get up, go to work, come home, cook dinner, watch some TV, and go to bed. How is this going to wear out a manufactured home any quicker than it does a stick built? Simply put, it doesn't. Manufactured homes do not have a shelf-life, the idea of them being "temporary housing" is one put-forth by the media, government and poor marketing from years ago. Properly cared for and continually maintained, the components that make a manufactured home should last forever.
So Where Does The Temporary Concept Come From?
With every modern weather catastrophe, FEMA rushes in with manufactured homes to be used for "temporary housing" until site-built homes can be constructed. They have created the impression that manufactured homes are not worthy of being lived in over the long term.
The government did the same thing when manufactured housing was in its infancy, offering it as "temporary" housing at military bases and later colleges. It's these outside sources that have promoted negative publicity for virtually the entire history of manufactured housing.
