Modular Homes

Have you ever wondered or been asked by a buyer exactly what the difference is between a “modular” home and a “mobile” home?   You may also hear the terms “manufactured home” or “pre-fab home”.   These terms seem to be catch-all phrases to encompass anything that is not a “stick-built” house, which is the builder’s lingo for a home that is built from scratch on a piece of property, and not in a factory.  Wikipedia defines the difference.  It says that typically a modular home is built to local state or council code, so it can actually have a different construction standard depending on the state in which it will be placed.  Modular homes built for final placement in a hurricane-prone area can have additional bracing built in to make it more safe.  Surprisingly, it says that after FEMA studied the destruction done by Hurricane Andrew, they concluded that modular built homes fared better than any other construction!  Wikipedia  further notes that pre-manufactured, pre-fab, or mobile homes are built in factories, transported by tractor-trailer to the home site, (often rural) and contain hidden trailer frames, axles, wheels and tow-hitches beneath the underpinning.

Mobile Homes

The two major sizes of mobile homes are single-wide and double-wide.  Double-wides are usually two units which are joined together at the site.  Mobile homes can even go up to a triple-wide size and above, if desired.  Mobile homes are governed by National standards (the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD) and not state or local building codes.  That may explain why many cities do not allow mobile homes to be built inside the city limits, since they may not be up to code for the area.  Mobile homes were actually an offshoot from camping trailers which became popular in the 50’s and 60’s.

Bill Cavanaugh, VP at USModular, Inc. explains the difference: “A modular home is frameless and uses a deed to convey title, whereas a mobile home has a title similar to a car”.  In his explanation, Bill goes on to say that part of the reason there is a misconception about the difference between a modular, manufactured and mobile home is how the other entities involved in the construction process define the product.  Abe Ferreira, CEO of USModular, Inc. says, “The homes that we are building, either modular or HUD code, are the most competitive product we have ever fielded.  Any option, design or appearance, you can get with a traditional site-built home you can get with a modular or a HUD. [manufactured or mobile home]”.

Manufactured Homes

Formerly referred to as mobile homes or trailers, but now with many more style options!

Manufactured homes are built in a factory.

Manufactured homes can be installed on a permanent foundation.

They conform to a Federal building code, called the HUD code, rather than to building codes at their destinations.

Manufactured homes are built on a non-removable steel chassis.

Sections are transported to the building site on their own wheels.

Multi-part manufactured units are joined at their destination.

Building inspectors check the work done locally (electric hook up, etc.) but are not required  to approve the structure.

What Do The Differences Mean to You?

Faster

Factory state-of-the-art equipment allows us to assemble your new home with precision, allowing the home to be built faster, while enhancing finished quality.

Better

Manufactured and Modular homes are built in a climate controlled factory out of the weather, utilizing state of the art technology and equipment. Inspections at every stage insure the highest quality standards are being met.

Greener

What does “Green Construction” really mean? Simply put, it identifies practices and materials that reduce a home’s burden on the environment. Our homes are designed and engineered to provide a high quality home that wastes less energy.

And….For Less!

Factory built homes eliminate waste and many labor costs as numerous tasks are completed simultaneously with precision and efficiency. Our entire team at USModular is dedicated to our client’s complete satisfaction. We incorporate each new homeowner into the building process through our proactive person-to-person approach, and realize how valuable each client is to our team.

Read Not Your Mother’s Manufactured Home

Contact USModular, Inc. for more information on modular construction!

info@usmodularinc.com

888-987-6638

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