Modular Homes Question To Those Who Built One (appointed, sale)

[Shenandoah]

Has anyone here bought and built a modular on property? We've got to investigate modulars more, as there's confusion about what all is involved.

One local modular builder quoted us $114k for this really nicely appointed Cape Cod style, which that $114k inc set up and delivery.

What are the additional costs associated with that? I know, clear your land, build your foundation, driveway. Then there's the electric, gas, water hook up. Anyone know? Furnace, hot water heater?

Does anyone know - is there a formula on this - what you spend on your modular is what you'll be spending after the builder drops it on your foundation?

Hubby and I will have approx $200k after the sale of our home. I'm hoping that's sufficient to buy acreage (which I'm thinking under $50k), the modular, then the associated costs afterwards.

Thanks for the info.

blessings, Shen

[alleycat]

I'm not exactly sure what additional extra you would need to buy other than the ones you listed (other than either a sewer hookup or a septic field).

I would suggest visiting more than one of this manufacturer's houses. Those things can be done well, often times there is cheapness built in however (floor joists that bounce, cheap shingles, etc.).

[ALML]

My brother had a modular built in Iowa. He had to get a general contractor for the basement and attached garage. There was also a breeze way built between the home and Garage. The home itself was pretty much turn key if I understood him correctly. But you can get them less finished too. He bought land, had it cleared,and I assume the General contractor took care of getting the elec. up etc.
He is very happy with it as he says the insulation (2x6" outer walls) is much better than his old home. However, I would caution you to make sure it is truly a Modular and not a mobile home....there is a difference as a modular is brought in by truck and the walls are put up with a crane...Mobile homes are considered (to my knowledge) as personal property where as a Modular is considered "Real" property. It makes a difference for taxes, resale, etc.
I'm sure some one else could give you more complete info and I remember Mbmouse responding to some one.....in fact now I remember some one had pictures that showed their modular being built. Ya might want to try doing a search on this forum and see what you come up with.
Hope that helps.

I think he ened up with 16-1700 sq. feet in the house itself....not counting basement and garage.

[danielz]

Originally Posted by alleycat

Those things can be done well, often times there is cheapness built in however (floor joists that bounce, cheap shingles, etc.).

I'll second that. We didn't have ours installed, we bought it from the original owner. It was one of the best available. He did a lot of research, bought it from a manufacturer in Alabama, and had it shipped here.

However, despite being "the best," there are a LOT of things done as cheaply as possible: All water fixtures are made of plastic. Floors flex; ours are plywood base - do NOT get particle board or pressed wood. Walls are thin masonite over 1x3 studs; no sound insulation quality, very difficult to hang anything on. Air return for heat/AC consists of room doors that have three-inch gaps below them. Again, no sound insulation quality. Wide closets have one narrow door - very difficult to reach clothes on either end. Attic vents on roof are all rusty at eight years age. Heat pump has been repaired 3 times and is VERY noisy. Water heater had no drainback valve, and would burn out the element every time the house water feed was shut off for any reason.

Check things thoroughly before you buy!

-dan z-

[Firefighterdon]

Hi Shenandoah! As others have said check out the different specs. We looked at them a few years ago and some were great, others not any better than a mobile home. In particular, check out the floor joists, wall studs, roof joists and rafters. Some use 2x6 for outside walls, others 2x4. Some are spaced at 24" centers; others at 16" centers (which they should be). And if possible, visit models. If they seem a bit squeeky or not as solid when they are set up as models, they will be about the same once in place.

[bbkaren]

I am absolutely thrilled with our modular. We have NOTHING made of plastic. The water fixtures are all American Standard and the cabinets are name brand as well (something-craft, I forget exactly).

Modulars are built to greater specifications than stick-built homes. They can be fully customized, however you want your home built. Ours is a chalet style on the end...and cape style from the side.

We have no bounce, we have no problems. Our foundation, plumbing, electric, and utility connections were part of the price. However we did add $20k in extras because we decided we wanted ceiling fans installed in the great room, plumbing run for a basement bathroom, etc.

We even got a prefab foundation which is great! We went with 10 foot ceilings which only cost us an additional $7500--and that will add full live-ability to the basement once we finish it.

The only trouble we had was with finish work, which was completed on site by local contractors. That was a little slipshod but had nothing to do with the modular.

Here's a link to a thread dedicated to modular homes, including a link on page 2 to a gallery on my picasaweb, of pictures of my house being erected. Truly an amazing thing to witness!

//www.city-data.com/forum/tenne...hlight=modular

I am a big fan of modulars and will be putting one up when we finally move to our little corner of Tennessee one day.

[Shenandoah]

Thanks! We had gone to a local place that sells modulars (believe me, you can tell the difference immediately between a modular and mobile home - ain't NO way I'll get a trailer!) Ours will be placed on a foundation with a basement, when/if we build. I've seen some models with cheapo building materials, but the model Lou and I saw and fell in love with cost $114k to build, set up and delivery. It was a beautiful Cape Cod model, with nice sized closets with wide sliding doors. I saw some models with the one narrow door, but this one had wide doors, solidly made. We didn't check into the plumbing, whether it was plastic or not, but when/if we move, all of those things will be checked, and upgraded. We're looking for reasonably priced, but not cheaply made. Lou is very meticulous, so, he'll check everything, as well as take the contract to our attorney to look it over.

How much did your modular cost as the builder quoted it, and then your final end cost after setting it up, connections, the contractor costs, and all hookups?

What was your final cost, compared to the initial modular purchase?


I just want to know if this will be feasible to do, with an approx $35k cost for land, along with the modular, then all of the associated costs afterwards?

Thanks for the info, and the link! I'll check it out.

blessings, Shen

[Shenandoah]

This is from a Modular Home builder website - I'll delete the name brand, because I'm only posting this as general info on what exactly a Modular Home is:

What is a systems built modular home?
####### modular homes are constructed in a climate controlled environment using state of the art engineering and assembly line techniques. #### uses the same brand name building materials and builds to the same building code requirements as any local “stick builder”. Modular homes are generally stronger and better built because they need to be able to withstand the stresses while travelling, almost fully built on trucks. State or independent third party inspectors carefully inspect each home we build. Modular homes are shipped to the building site on two or more carriers, erected on the foundation by a qualified set crew and completed by an established ##### builder/dealer. The builder/dealer is an independent business entity, not an agent of ##### Corporation. Once completed, modular homes are indistinguishable from “site built” homes.

How does a modular home differ from a “manufactured or mobile home”?
Manufactured homes, sometimes referred to as mobile homes, are built to the HUD Code, a national code for manufactured housing. The HUD Code, unlike conventional state building codes used by modular home manufacturers and site builders, requires manufactured homes to be built on non-removable steel chassis. Many neighborhoods exclude manufactured homes but accept modular homes because they are built to the same code as site-built homes.

Are modular homes energy efficient?
Yes. #### is an ENERGY STAR® partner and committed to using energy efficient building methods and materials. Our homes are built standard with 2” x 6” exterior walls and R-19 insulation, R-30 blown-in ceiling insulation, warm edge thermopane low-e glass windows, and insulated exterior doors.

Can I build a custom plan of my own design?
Computer aided drafting (CAD), allows for precision customization of your floor plan design. However, shipping restrictions and production constraints can affect the design. If you have a plan picked out, we suggest that you submit it for approval or for changes that will enable us to build your home. ###### also has a complete portfolio of floor plans, designs and elevations that can be modified. Modifications are normally less expensive than a custom built design. Our goal is to turn your dream home into a reality.

How long does it take to build a modular home?
The time it takes to build your ##### home varies by season and #### order “backlog”. That being said, one of the advantages of building a modular home is speed of construction. When your builder places your order it will go into ##### backlog of homes to be built, which typically runs 5 to 10 weeks. While your home is on order the site work on your building lot will be completed. On average a modular home consisting of two modules will take about 6 days to build in the factory. After delivery to the site and setting the home on the foundation, the builder will take about 4 to 8 weeks to finish the home. The builder’s time frame depends on the amount of additional site work, such as garages, porches or decks that are to be built, and the builders backlog of other homes to finish. You can move into your new modular home much quicker than a typical site-built home.

Are #### modular homes covered by a warranty?
Yes. Every #### home comes with a full one year limited warranty. #### has a dedicated service department that works with your builder and his staff to provide professional service. In addition, many of the brand name components, such as appliances, shingles and siding used in your home, are covered by separate manufacturer warranties.

How much does a ##### modular home cost? Can you send me a modular home price list?
##### is a manufacturing company and we only sell homes to a network of builder/dealers. We do not sell directly to homebuyers because we depend on our builders/dealers to provide professional installation and completion of our homes. The pricing of a home is dependant on the options you select and the scope of work preformed by the builder/dealer. Therefore, your contract and pricing will come from your builder/dealer. #### will be happy to refer you to a builder/dealer in your area.

How do I finance a modular home?
Mortgage lenders treat modular homes the same as stick-built homes and offer the same mortgage options. Modular homes are also treated the same as site-built homes when it comes to appraisals and insurance. In addition, modular homes appreciate in value at the same rate as comparable site built homes in your area.

[Shenandoah]

<IMG>http://www.newhomesfaster.com/images/custommodel2.jpg</IMG>

hope the link works!

[bbkaren]

Keep in mind that we're in New Jersey and housing prices are through the roof here. Our house, including all the basics for turnkey plus our $20k of extras, wound up at $206,000.

To put it in perspective, we bought a 1/2 acre piece of land to build on, and the land alone cost $215,000.

Our mortgage is $390,000 which is a ton of money, but about average for a house this size (1,800 s.f.) in our town. Plus we got just exactly the house we always dreamed of.

We'll be building almost the same house when we move down south--that way we'll have the house we always dreamed of, in a location we always dreamed of!