Stick Built vs Modular

[slowzuki]

In our area modulars are more $ per ft2 due to the speed. Doesn't slow the purchasers down, they are replacing stick built here.

I'm not a fan as they are always boxes on the outside but thats just me. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Has anyone heard of:

www.apexhomesinc.com

or

www.nationwide-homes.com

 

[PBinWA]

Our 10 year old two story home is a modular and we bought it without me even realizing it (I even built mobile and modular homes for a year). I just didn't even suspect it until a neighbor mentioned it to me and the light went off inside my head!

The house is pretty well constructed and one thing that they did (probably due to the fact that it is in a high wind area) was to double clad the house (2 layers of plywood). Top that with some Hardi-plank siding and the house is amazingly sturdy.

It's hard to give a thorough review of modular homes based on this place as the previous owners kind of abused the place so I've spent the last two years fixing damage and things that they did to the house that they shouldn't have done.

The interior work is pretty low budget and not terribly "straight" (for lack of a better term) which is one of the things that became "obvious" after I learned it was a modular home. Fortunately, I already planned on redoing most of the interior.

The front of the house is aestherically pleasing but the back side is pretty flat and begging for some sort of enhancements to give it some depth. Still not sure what I'm going to do about that though.

One thing that modular homes offer is that they are typically built inside a factory and only exposed to the elements during the relatively short assembly stage. In the NW a stick built house built in the fall or winter can get a lot of moisture exposure that can cause problems down the road.

Hope this helps,

PB

 

[Jagmandave]

Another way to go might be SIPS (structural insulated panels) you can build the design any way you want, and the walls are factory built and go up in a day, so construction's really quick (saving labor $) They also give up to R30 insulation value, and are supposed to be much stronger, and straighter than stick or mod built walls at fairly comparable cost.

I'm going to build my new home with ICF's (insulated concrete forms) tho...... we're in our mid 50's, so it'll be all one level for us too, like Bill in Lecompton.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Jagmandave,

Thanks, I had forgot about the SIPS. I saw those being used on "This Old House".
I see if I can find some information on contractors that use SIPS in my area.

 

[rlk]

I'm not sure where you are located in Western NC, but I know there are a lot of modular manufacturers around Asheville. There is one that I am familar with in Henderson called HandCrafted Homes. Their web site is: http://www.handcraftedhomes.com/view.html

When they opened about 6 or 7 years ago in Henderson, I was invited to their open house. They let us inspect the factory, watch several "modules" get constructed; view how they get them on the trailers for delivery, etc. I was quite impressed.

The only suggestion I made to them was to offer 2x6 exterior walls versus only 2x4. I have not been back to know if they took my suggestion or not.

There is a development just outside of Fuquay that is all modular homes. I had no idea they were modulars until I went into the attic and the crawl space. The quality on the homes was outstanding. I'm not sure who they purchased their modulars from.

Look at HandCrafted Homes web site and look at some of their plans. Some of the pictures they have on the web site are really large and fancy. You can also ask them to send you a catalog. I don't think they will talk prices with the consumer unless you are a General Contractor.

I am around construction a lot as I am a licensed general contractor and a licensed home inspector. I put together a list of things to consider when you are building a home that I can send to you. Shoot me a PM with your email address and I'll send it to you.

It has things to consider, like making sure the water heater is close to the kitchen and bathrooms. A lot of times the water heater will be in the crawl space or basement on the opposite side of the house than the kitchen or master bedroom.

Another example is to make sure you install doors and hallways that are wide enough for a wheel chair. As we get older, we never know when an accident may happen and we are stuck in a wheel chair for a while. It costs very little to have all doors and hallways sized for wheel chairs when you are building, but retrofitting later is a major expense.

Best of luck with what ever you decide. Whether you go with a stick built or a modular, be sure to provide plenty of pictures for us to drool over.

Bob

 

[OKnewguy]

My wife is a mortgage loan officer, and she has many problems with modular homes. Many lenders classify them as trailer (I am not saying they are like trailers by any means). You might check into some lenders and see if you can finance it thru them..I know that manufacturers will have their own financing, BUT if you ever need to sell it the new buyers will need to get financing, and if the standard lenders won't touch it then it could well loose value over standerd stick built (if you have to sell cheap).
I am not knocking there construction by any means, I have a different view because of my wife experiences.
Good luck, Dave

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Thanks to all for your feedback. Not sure which way we will go. Seems there is alot of information out there on the net. Several dealers in NC...looks like I have alot of homework.

I will let everyone know what we decide, still have a couple of builders to talk to. I would love to just build it myself but my job gets in the way.

Thanks again
David

 

[riptides]

Wow,

That is news to me. I have numerous friends that have modular assembled homes and from the paper work I have seen makes no distinction other than "frame-type" assembly.

As a matter of opinion, my last stick built house was NO comparison to my friends modular constructed, "bolted" together in three days house. His house was IMHO, better built, and the materials used looked to be of higher quality.
Overall fit and fashion were better, IMHO.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[PBinWA]

There is no mention on any of our paperwork (permits, county records, etc.) that our modular home was a modular home. During our purchase and financing it was never brought up.

PB