Modular Homes

Modular Homes
Modular homes continue to get strong consideration from consumers that wish to build a new home. But what, really, is a ‘modular’ home?

A modular is a home that is constructed to your chosen location’s particular building codes, but built in sections, or modules, at a factory. The sections are then connected to each other on-site. They are not to be confused with ‘manufactured’ or ‘mobile’ homes, which are built to a different code and are an entirely different type of housing.

A Little History
In 1910, a Bay City, Michigan company, Aladdin Homes, published a ‘catalog’ of kit homes. Others followed, including Sears Roebuck. GI’s returning after WW II created a high demand for housing and modular homes helped meet that need. An East Coast developer, Bill Levitt created modular subdivisions, including the rather famous ‘Levittown’, entirely comprised of modular homes.

Popularity
1 in 8 new homes are modulars and it’s estimated that there are over 22 million of these homes in existence in the United States. Although modular homes are sometimes looked down upon, they must have something going for them if there are this many out there!

Appeal
One of the biggest reasons for consumer interest is cost. Because modular home manufacturers build the components in a controlled environment (factory), they have a very skilled workforce using labor-efficient methods. They, unlike a consumer or even small builder, can purchase materials in bulk. Aside from the cost savings of buying in bulk, they can often get higher quality materials from suppliers because of their higher purchasing power.

Because these components are designed & built to be moved over long distances, many consumers feel that the basic home is built better than the on-site ‘stick-built’ home.

Production Builders and Panelized Homes
Production builders, those building high numbers in a given year, often use pre-assembled components to get the job started, especially exterior walls and roof trusses. Their skilled carpentry crews then do the interior ‘roughing’, and the rest of the house is pretty much built to order. While not a true ‘modular’, these builders know that they are getting a known entity with pre-assembled panels, and it reduces their on-site labor, too. Production builders do offer a degree of customization, but within certain limitations.

References for further information on modular homes:
The Modular Home, Andrew Gianino, 2005, ISBN:1580175260, Storey Publishing
The Quiet Revolution, Christina B. Farnsworth, Builder (National Association of Home Builders) v. 25 no8 (July 2002) p. 41-2
Modular Modernism, Matthew Power, Builder (National Association of Home Builders) v. 28 no2 (February 2005) p. 63-4