Stick Built vs Modular

[PhilNH5]

As I mentioned in my prior post I have lived in both. My single wide trailer had a title from the Department of Motor Vehicles. My modular was issued a deed. I had no trouble getting a mortgage, no trouble refinancing and my buyer had no trouble when I sold it.

Based on your input versus mine and others' experiences, the rules must vary by state. As you point out Hunterridge would be wise to look into this prior to purchasing.

Phil

 

[hunterridgefarm]

(As you point out Hunterridge would be wise to look into this prior to purchasing.<font color="blue"> </font>)

I plan on doing just that. That's what I like about TBN you get alot of input.

 

[Foxpoint]

We just had our modular home delivered yesterday. It is a Cape model with dormers and a sunroom to break up the blockiness a bit. In my area, we spoke to several builders for stick built and we were looking at close to $150 per sq foot. Our modular will come out to about $90 a square foot. I'll post once we get the house set.

 

[riptides]

Between you and foxpoint,

What kind of price models are you looking at? Is this a total package deal? or do you contract out, behaving like the general contractor? Does the modular home maker recommend a dealer? A builder? Who works the county?

I am doing a renovation, and had one friend recommend a start over, then I got to thinking... yea, why not? So I am curious as to your research on pricing.

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

 

[Foxpoint]

Mike Z,

We have a dealer/contractor we went through to purchase the house. This dealer (along with most other modular dealers in Delaware) are in southern Delaware and usually do not sell in northen Delaware where we live due to the hoops you have to go through for the county. (The building trade in northern Delaware does not like modular / manufactured since they would have to charge less for stick built)

Because of this, the contracting process is a bit of a hybrid. THe dealer is doing the following:
-foundation
- house set
- HVAC install
- plumbing hook up
- electic hook up, 10 feet away from house
- signing for the permit

We are organizing the following:
- site engineering / septic tests
- septic design
- septic install
- well tests / install
- legwork on permit requirements
- getting electric service to the house
- propane service
- gathering all the permit requirements

We have a good working relationship with the dealer - the key is constant communication / updates since the dealer can't be on site everyday due to the distance. The manufacturer of our house is Pleasant Valley Modular Homes. They have been around for a while, due to growth in their business, they just opened up a new factory a few months ago. As they get more familiar with the new processes in the new factory, they are coming up with a much larger range of stock floorplans than when we started the process a year ago.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Foxpoint,
As for me I am just getting started researching this week. I have checked only with 2 dealers and they have numerous designs and floor plans. They will do turn key or anything in between.

"IF" I decide to go this route I will most likely contract out some of the work myself since I know several builders.

Right now we are looking at the Cape Cod style but this could change. I know we are not going with the standard ranch ( at least that is what the wife said).

I have a couple of web sites posted on this thread, take at look at them.

 

[rogdan]

We are moving into our modular this week, we are not satisified with the process as we could have had a stick built in the amount of time we have waited. I don't have any current pictures but we wanted a "farm house" look like the older ones in the area and were satisifed wiith what they offered. Ours is a minimally custom and we paid basically by the sq ft coming out under $60 sq/ft. Builders claim to be able to match it in this area but try to pin one down and get them on the site!

 

[rogdan]

Front view, we have the siding and the front porch on which makes it look better

 

[rogdan]

The crane in action, hope I didn't highjack your post.

 

[OKnewguy]

In talking to my wife, she said that she has had problems with loans from the national and regional lenders. She did not know if it is a regional thing or what. She said that (if it documented as a mobil or modular home in the courthouse, which the underwriters will find out) that then the hassle sky rockets and often many lenders will not touch it. She also said that this might be getting better, because the lending business is slowing down some, and they are willing to take on harder loans. Again, I am not knocking the quality or construction of these homes, I feel that the way things work are not correct. The lenders need to understand that there are great quality modular homes, and they need to be addressed the same as a standard house. I am not trying to start any kind of argument either, and just wanted to inform people of the other side of the business.
Good luck with your home plans,
Dave