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Q:
What is a modular home?
A:
Modular homes, in general, are "stick built" homes. They are built in a
factory in a controlled environment and meet or exceed all federal,
state, and universal local codes. Modular homes are inspected by
an independent third party agency to insure these codes are met and
ultimately insures consistency in building, within the factory.
Q: Is A Modular Home Better Than A Site
Built Home?
A:
Well, granted, we're biased--but here are the facts--we think they'll
help make the decision clear. With a modular home you get efficiency and
quality control. Efficiency begins with modern factory assembly line
techniques. Your home travels to workstations, with all the building
trades represented. Work is never delayed by weather, subcontractor
no-shows or missing material. Quality engineering and modular
construction techniques significantly increase the energy efficiency of
your modular home. A quality control process provides 100% assurance
that your home has been inspected for code compliance and workmanship.
In-plant inspectors as well as independent inspection agencies inspect
the home on behalf of your state & local government.
Q:
A modular is a
modular is a modular, then...correct?
A:
Absolutely not!
Some modular homes meet the minimum codes to be called a modular, but
are lacking in quality compared to "high end" modular homes. At
Northern Paradise Homes, we will always strive to offer only the finest
in modular homes.
Q:
In reality,
aren't modular homes just basement-ready, double wide trailers?
After all, they do come in two halves, right?
A:
Again, absolutely
not! Manufactured, or double wides are built to less
stringent HUD codes. A metal frame is part of the construction,
they carry a title (like a car) and will depreciate in value over time.
Modular homes are constructed using the same building
codes as on-site "stick built" homes (because they are
stick built). These codes generally include the UBS, NEC, UPC and
UMC. Modular homes carry a certificate of occupancy and a state
seal, and will appreciate in value the same as the local market will for
site-built homes. People are sometimes confused when they see a modular
home being transported (like a manufactured or double wide); they're
transported this way because they're built in a controlled, indoor
environment and are delivered in as many modules (pieces) as necessary
to complete the house.
Q: But a mobile
or manufactured home can be placed anywhere that a modular or site built
home can be, right?
A:
Many communities have restrictions on where manufactured homes can be
located. Modular and site-built homes on the other hand, are constructed
to the same building code required by your state, county and specific
locality and therefore are not restricted by building or zoning
regulations. Your new modular home is inspected at the assembly plant
during each phase of construction. Evidence of this inspection is normally
shown by the application of a State or inspection agency label of
approval.
Q:
How are Modular
Homes appraised?
A:
The
same as on-site stick built homes, using site-built comparables.
Q:
Isn't that how double wides are appraised?
A:
No.
Double wides (or HUD code homes) are generally appraised using just
other double wide comparables.
Q:
What is the difference in financing and insurance for modulars vs.
site-built homes?
A:
Banks and insurance companies evaluate modulars on the same basis as any
site-built home. Therefore, there is no difference from site-built in
the way modular homes are financed or insured.
Q:
How long will it take to get my home?
A:
Depending on the time of year and the size of home, a person could be in
their new home within 3-4 months after ordering it! This is a quick time
frame and can save money.
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Q: What is a panelized home?
A: A panelized home is basically a
home this is built traditionally yet very efficiently by using today's
state-of-the-art computerized technology.
Q: What makes this such an efficient building system?
A: Through
the use of computerized state-of-the-art tools, machines and other
equipment, high quality framing sections (panels) are built indoors in a
controlled environment. The panels include full exterior walls with
windows and doors already installed as well as sub-floors, roof trusses,
and interior partitions. There are no delays from weather when building
indoors. This fact as well as the speed and accuracy of the framing
construction allows for a very fast delivery time to your prepared site.
NOTE: Using computerized state-of-the-art equipment provides much truer
framing with closer tolerances than what can be achieved normally with
traditional construction. Also, the home is constructed at the plant to
meet or exceed UDC Codes (Universal Dwelling Codes). Therefore, there
should be very few (if any) delays to correct areas to pass the codes.
this results in quicker completion times, saving you money.
Q: How is the home delivered to my site and how fast can I expect it?
A:
As the framing panels are built, they are loaded onto a semi(s) inside
of the construction facility, where they are secured and prepared for
delivery. Once the house arrives to your construction site, the panels
are unloaded from the semi and erected on your foundation using a crane.
There can always be variables, of course; however, you can normally
expect the shell of the home to arrive at your site about 4 to 6 weeks
from the time the home order arrives at the construction facility. It
typically takes about 1 week to have the home constructed to a "dry in"
or enclosed phase. From this point on, local contractors finish the home
the same as any conventional home would be completed. Again, there can
be variables; but you can usually expect to be able to move into your
new home in approximately 8 to 12 weeks after the "dry in" set date.
This is very quick construction that can save you money on your
construction loan!
Q: How do the costs of building a panelized home compared to that of a
traditional building?
A: See previous point regarding the
time savings on the construction loan; the overall cost of a panelized
home should compare favorably to a conventionally built home;
especially since as of January 1, 2005, all local builders will now be
required to build meeting the UDC codes. Many local builders have been
meeting the UDC codes previously, but many were not. Building costs can
run higher when meeting the UDC codes compared to building when no
inspections were previously required and the codes not met.
Q: Do
I have to pick a plan of yours, or can I use a plan of my own?
A:
You can do either. With few exceptions, whatever can be built
traditionally can also be built as a panelized home. However, because we
are biased (with good reason!) we believe panelized homes are built
better.
Q: How are panelized home appraised?
A: The same as any other
on-site built home, using site-built comparables.
Q: Will my panelized home depreciate faster than a site-built home?
A:
Absolutely not! As long as the market is showing a trend for
appreciation, a panelized home will appreciate like any other site-built
home.
Q: What is the difference in financing for insurance for a panelized home?
A: Banks and insurance companies evaluate panelized homes on
the same basis as any site-built home. Therefore, no differences should
be experienced in financing or insuring a panelized home compared to a
traditional site-built home.
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Fast Delivery!
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Your modular home
is ready to move into long before a site-built home
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Because your
custom home is built indoors, weather delays aren't an issue
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While the home
site is being prepared, your home is being built. Parallel
versus sequential construction means you move in faster!
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Modular homes are
not manufactured or "mobile" homes. They're just like site built
homes except they're less expensive and can be delivered faster
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Custom Plans and Features
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Modular plans are
highly customizable, which means you can change just about any
feature of the home--including the number, type, and size of the
rooms
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Modular homes
offer the same upgrades as site-built homes, including quality
wood flooring, top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, and
hand-crafted wood cabinets
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Virtually any
house plan can be adapted to a modular format--the only limit is
your imagination!
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Highest Quality
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Modular homes cost
less to build but appreciate in value just as fast as site-built
homes
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Because they're
constructed in a controlled environment, modular homes don't
suffer weather-related damage (such as warped wood or wet
drywall) which means fewer surprises and repairs later on
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