Homebuyers are often wary about investing in a modular home, wondering if it’s of the same quality as a traditional structure. In fact, the difference between modular homes over homes built on site is staggering when comparing construction times and costs. However, the final quality of modular homes over homes built on site is slightly better when comparing the two.
Same Materials, Different Building Technique
There is virtually no difference between modular and traditional homes when it comes to materials. They can be made with the same exact materials, but the core difference between the two is construction technique. Modular homes are built in sections within a manufacturing facility. Traditional homes are built from the ground up at a job site. The quality of modular homes over homes built on site is almost always better because of the controlled building environment.
Faster Installation
From plumbing to air conditioning, there are many wires, conduits and pipes to install in a basic home. Modular homes have all of their design and engineering issues solved before shipment to the job site. Builders simply install the sections on the land, making actual installation incredibly fast. Any design issues with a traditionally built home have to be dealt with on-site, causing several days of rework or alterations. It’s very costly to rework any piping or wiring, making modular homes much more cost-effective for construction companies themselves.
Pristine Condition
Construction is often delayed because of weather issues. As workers wait out the storm, materials built on-site are at the mercy of winds, rain and snow. Modular homes are built so quickly once on-site, they often miss any bad weather. The entire home is secured from rains and other foul weather, giving it a pristine appearance during the selling period. Traditional homes may have some damage after a storm that requires extensive repairs. Water damage sets the construction back days or even months, depending on the issues.
Environmentally Conscious
Modular homes are environmentally conscious because of their minimal impact on the construction site. There is only a little noise during installation instead of the steady hum or strikes of a traditional construction site. Noise and ground pollution are almost negligible with modular construction. Any paints, sprays or other harmful chemicals are applied at the manufacturing facility, filtering the pollutants through air filters. At traditional job sites, any fumes simply waft into the air. Modular homes may also have greener materials because of customized choices by the customer, making this homebuilding choice a positive change for the Earth.
More Homebuyer Versatility
Homebuyers aren’t limited to permanent structures built on a specific piece of land. Modular homes give property owners a chance to choose a location on their land that maximizes the views. They can face the front yard to the east in the morning while keeping the hot westerly sun on the backyard in the afternoon, for example. Traditional homes must be built on-site in a particular area, making the property less versatile for the savvy real estate investor.
When homebuyers and investors compare all the construction factors, the difference between modular homes over homes built on site is considerable. The industry is slowly finding a way to balance traditional construction with modular buildings, but the modular craze will soon be seen as a more cost-effective way to create new communities.
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