| This is the second in a two-part series that answers | | | | A: Yes, generally in half the time. The components |
| many of the questions a typical prospective client | | | | for most homes are typically completed in the |
| asks when first beginning to understand the many | | | | factory within seven days, ready for delivery to your |
| benefits offered by modern, modular home building | | | | site. Once the components are delivered and set at |
| technology. Whereas the first article focused more | | | | your site, a seasoned builder should be able to |
| on aesthetics, this article gets more into the technical | | | | perform utility connections, exterior and interior |
| issues of the home building process. | | | | finishes and related improvements to deliver your |
| Q: Do I need to engage an architect to take | | | | home "turn-key", typically within 60 to 90 days. You |
| advantage of this technology? | | | | should allow for additional time up-front to finalize |
| A: Not unless you wish to engage an architect for a | | | | your design and selections. |
| specific purpose. Some discerning clients may engage | | | | Q: Are modular homes subjected to municipal |
| an architect to assist with floor plan, exterior | | | | inspections? |
| appearance or site elements that are neither | | | | A: Depending on your state and local requirements, |
| designed nor built in the factory. However, most | | | | your zoning, civil engineering and your building plans |
| manufacturers employ a qualified engineer to seal the | | | | must generally be approved by the local municipality |
| final building plans, eliminating the need for | | | | to secure a building permit, no different than |
| architectural construction drawings. | | | | traditional construction. Once your foundation is built, |
| Q: I have been told a modular home frame contain | | | | it must be approved by the local code official. During |
| nearly 30% more lumber than a conventional, | | | | construction in the factory, the manufacturer |
| site-built house. Please explain? | | | | employs a certified third-party inspector who will |
| A: The components built within the factory must be | | | | certify, upon completion, that your building |
| built sufficiently strong to withstand the rigors of | | | | components have been manufactured in accordance |
| over-the-road transport to your home site, where | | | | with the approved plans and conforms to all municipal |
| they are lifted with a crane onto your foundation. | | | | and state code requirements. Once set on your |
| This increased strength translates into a better | | | | foundation and finished to turn-key by your builder, a |
| constructed home for you. | | | | final inspection of your home will generally be required |
| Q: Are there other elements of the manufacturing | | | | by the local code official. |
| process that creates a better constructed house | | | | Q: Can modular home components be utilized in an |
| than traditional site-built homes? | | | | expansion project? |
| A: Yes. The engineering design and controls are key | | | | A: Possibly. An experienced builder can initially project |
| elements to the manufacturing process that are not | | | | floor plans and architectural styles for your expansion. |
| available on a traditionally built home job site. The | | | | However, your existing structure and its foundation |
| finished house from a quality manufacturer should | | | | must be certified by a structural engineer that it can |
| have straighter walls and ceilings with less potential | | | | support the manufactured components. Provided |
| for visible signs of settling. Straighter walls with less | | | | your engineer concludes affirmatively, you can be |
| likelihood to be affected by settling should also mean | | | | assured that your project, utilizing this technology, will |
| better functioning doors as your foundation settles. | | | | be completed in less time and at a lower cost than |
| Certain manufacturers use a hi-tech method of | | | | conventional site-built construction, all other things |
| securing the drywall to the studs to improve | | | | being equal. |
| performance which minimizes settling nail pops. A | | | | Q: If we have a small house and are considering |
| quality manufacturer will employ a third party | | | | building bigger, should we consider tearing it down |
| engineering firm to provide quality control checks | | | | and rebuilding with a new modular home? |
| throughout the manufacturing process. | | | | A: In our experience, in many instances, a client |
| Q: What are the energy efficiencies of modular | | | | would be better to consider demolishing and rebuilding |
| housing compared to traditional, "site-built" | | | | for a number of reasons. Unless your existing home |
| construction? | | | | has some characteristics that you want to preserve, |
| A: Contemporary homes built with factory | | | | in most instances your existing house does not have |
| manufactured components generally enjoy a high | | | | the features many people desire with modern |
| efficiency rating from utility companies; air infiltration | | | | architecture. Notably, high ceilings, two-story ceiling |
| is minimized due to the engineering process. Some | | | | heights, contemporary floor plans, functional |
| manufacturers build "green" with its design and | | | | basements that can accommodate 8 foot minimum |
| construction process that saves energy and natural | | | | finished ceiling height, and other modern features. |
| resources by minimizing waste and recycling materials. | | | | Q: Is a modular home difficult to finance? |
| At least one known manufacturing plant is Energy | | | | A: No! Financing a well built modular home is no |
| Star certified to build its components and certify | | | | different than financing traditional construction. |
| them in the factory as Energy Star qualified, only | | | | Residential lenders are all very well informed and, |
| then requiring a HERS rater on-site to finalize the | | | | quite frankly find it appealing to finance a modular |
| certification. The factory process has less of a | | | | home. The construction lender knows that when it |
| negative environmental impact on the home site. A | | | | advances it first draw, the home is nearly complete, |
| "green" modular home uses less energy, water and | | | | thereby minimizing any chance of the house not |
| natural resources. | | | | reaching completion. The same educated lenders also |
| Q: Will my modular home be built and ready for | | | | understand the superiority of construction utilizing this |
| occupancy any quicker than if I were to build with | | | | technology for home building. |
| traditionally methods? | | | | |