Modular Homes (area, builders, good)

[Roselvr]

On my 1st cup of coffee...

There's a modular place called excel homes. A local builder put one up for my dad a few years ago for $265. The house is really nice, actually what we wanted to find for us but didn't happen.

If you go to the site, click on rancher, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, extended 2nd floor, you'll be left with 4 homes, the 4th on the right is the Echo Hills. There was also a bathroom in the basement. We love the attic as you could easily stand up there, plus my dad had real steps put in.

They do list builders on the site although I have never seen the builder we used listed.

[SSchirm]

This is my house http://www.westchestermodular.com/gallery/richmond/ without the porch to the side. We built our house six years agao. the basic house cost $180k and is approx 1900 sq ft, so that was less than $100/sq ft, but then we added some upgrades - like 9ft ceilings on the first floor and subsequently bigger windows, taller kitchen cabinets etc. We added a 4th bedroom where the cathedral entrance was and moved some walls, did a full walk out basement, and hardwood floors on almost the whole first floor. Before demolition and land, i think we ended up at approx $115/sq ft or $220k for the house.

The company i worked with has local builders who you would contact to see the models and get a quote. The factory builds the houses and the local builders do the prep work on the site and the actual drop. They also coordinate all of the plumbers, electricans etc to get the house ready to live in. You can also do all of that other stuff on your own, if you have the time and resources to be your own general contractor.

I would ask the modular company you want to work with what the price per square foot is, and determine what size house you want to put up. Add a certain percentage of that amount to the top for upgrades (ours were pretty significant upgrades), and you should have a ballpark of what your house should cost. Then you add the land, and prep work that has to be done to the land (we had demolition to do), plus any surveys permits etc (surveys where we live were a few hundred dollars a pop, and really added up!!). Always make sure you over-estimate costs, because something will always sneek in. Like paying the police department to close the road so that you can drop the house....It's amazing! But all in, we ended up paying almost 50% less than we would have for the same size house in my neighborhood!!

[mac09]

Many thanks, sschirm, that is really helpful. I had an architect do my plans when I was going to do stick built, and it is actually pretty similar to yours. I'm meeting with the builder today and have a higher comfort level with the proposed price now. He has quoted $215k including 9 ft ceilings on 1st floor, lots of can lighting, a couple of blocks on existing basement to make it closer to eight feet. Includes 10k budget for hardwood throughout, but not my black granite, appliances or upgrades to bath. I am getting thermofoil cabinets in the kitchen, and a little concerned about those, but I wanted white anyway, so hope they don't look cheap. It is encouraging to know that people have been through the process and are generally satisfied. Thanks again for your comments, if you think of anything else, would love to hear it.

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by mac09

I am getting thermofoil cabinets in the kitchen, and a little concerned about those, but I wanted white anyway, so hope they don't look cheap.

If you want white, foil is a good option. Painted wood cabinets tend to yellow and crack over time, much the same way foil will peel. So I wouldn't worry. You've got 10-15yrs on the kitchen with foil in general.

[mac09]

Thanks for that, makes me feel better. I've been entertaining the thought of doing this for 3 years and finally feel like I'm comfortable enough to move forward. Can't wait until I get to the other side. Appreciate all the insights, really makes a difference. Thank you!!

[LJeen]

Originally Posted by SSchirm

This is my house http://www.westchestermodular.com/gallery/richmond/ without the porch to the side. We built our house six years agao. the basic house cost $180k and is approx 1900 sq ft, so that was less than $100/sq ft, but then we added some upgrades - like 9ft ceilings on the first floor and subsequently bigger windows, taller kitchen cabinets etc. We added a 4th bedroom where the cathedral entrance was and moved some walls, did a full walk out basement, and hardwood floors on almost the whole first floor. Before demolition and land, i think we ended up at approx $115/sq ft or $220k for the house.

The company i worked with has local builders who you would contact to see the models and get a quote. The factory builds the houses and the local builders do the prep work on the site and the actual drop. They also coordinate all of the plumbers, electricans etc to get the house ready to live in. You can also do all of that other stuff on your own, if you have the time and resources to be your own general contractor.

I would ask the modular company you want to work with what the price per square foot is, and determine what size house you want to put up. Add a certain percentage of that amount to the top for upgrades (ours were pretty significant upgrades), and you should have a ballpark of what your house should cost. Then you add the land, and prep work that has to be done to the land (we had demolition to do), plus any surveys permits etc (surveys where we live were a few hundred dollars a pop, and really added up!!). Always make sure you over-estimate costs, because something will always sneek in. Like paying the police department to close the road so that you can drop the house....It's amazing! But all in, we ended up paying almost 50% less than we would have for the same size house in my neighborhood!!

SSchirm! I love your post! I've been so curious about this. My husband and I would would need a smaller house with a miminum of 2 bedrooms so it's possible that ours would be cheaper? I probably would not need to change anything. We live near Westchester but am thinking of living in NJ because buying land is the only obsticle right now and I think I can buy a really delapitated house to tear down. A small lot would be great because we would like a house that is narrow like a salt box type.

Ahhh I have so many questions because your the first I've read that has actually gone through the process. Please send me a PM so I don't bother the board too much unless everyone would like more info or you can direct me to who I can speak with.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

[Roselvr]

Originally Posted by SSchirm

This is my house http://www.westchestermodular.com/gallery/richmond/ without the porch to the side. We built our house six years agao. the basic house cost $180k and is approx 1900 sq ft, so that was less than $100/sq ft, but then we added some upgrades - like 9ft ceilings on the first floor and subsequently bigger windows, taller kitchen cabinets etc. We added a 4th bedroom where the cathedral entrance was and moved some walls, did a full walk out basement, and hardwood floors on almost the whole first floor. Before demolition and land, i think we ended up at approx $115/sq ft or $220k for the house.

The company i worked with has local builders who you would contact to see the models and get a quote. The factory builds the houses and the local builders do the prep work on the site and the actual drop. They also coordinate all of the plumbers, electricans etc to get the house ready to live in. You can also do all of that other stuff on your own, if you have the time and resources to be your own general contractor.

I would ask the modular company you want to work with what the price per square foot is, and determine what size house you want to put up. Add a certain percentage of that amount to the top for upgrades (ours were pretty significant upgrades), and you should have a ballpark of what your house should cost. Then you add the land, and prep work that has to be done to the land (we had demolition to do), plus any surveys permits etc (surveys where we live were a few hundred dollars a pop, and really added up!!). Always make sure you over-estimate costs, because something will always sneek in. Like paying the police department to close the road so that you can drop the house....It's amazing! But all in, we ended up paying almost 50% less than we would have for the same size house in my neighborhood!!

You built 6 years ago. The prices have gone up. My dad's modular would have been cheaper if he bought one year before he did. I knew someone that paid about $160k the year before him.

[buywarren]

I saw modular homes at School St Piscataway NJ and Schneider Ln at Montville NJ; they are rather big, 2,800 sf and another one over 4,000 sf. They just bought the land which already has electric and water sewer, and the per sf cost was only about $40 at the time, it could be more now. But, I never seen modular house at $1.789m that I was trying to buy in Warren. I would say modular home is like "factory made clothes", and some unique houses are like "customized and fashtioned clothes".

Modular Home tend to prevail at booming real estate market when many could not afford. For now, people tend to grap a nice home in prime area like my realtor told me this house was listing for $2.45m, so if I can get it, I can save a lot without much hassel.

So, before trying to save 10% of your total housing cost by going thru modular home maze, try to find a nice house, and see if the seller willing to sell you at 10% discount, you never know. Try to find during winter time before April when many prospective buyers not yet start buying, and sellers with relocation package want a quick sell. Try to ask your realtor to show you "vacant houses" that you may get 10% discount or even more, you never know.

[Mike_Anderson]

I purchased a home through Supreme Modular Homes in Turnersville NJ. The guys there were very helpfull and honest from start to finish. I appriciated their attention to detail and happy I decided to build a modular home.

[Mike_Anderson]

You may want to consider Supreme Modular (www.suprememodular.com). I have had a positive experience with them during the construction of my home.