Avalon Building Systems Blog

Avalon Building Systems is proud to work with Excel Modular Homes on the reconstruction if The Jersey Shore which was one of the nation’s hardest hit regions during Hurricane Sandy. Modular construction has helped many families move back into new homes several months ahead of schedule. Modular home builder Excel Homes is one of the companies leading the rebuilding effort.

Hurricane Sandy destroyed 346,000 homes in the state. For homeowners who are rebuilding or buying their first house, modular homes are among the most popular “hurricane-proof” home options.

Modular construction, which uses modules built in a factory and assembled on site, is praised for its superior strength and durability and its quick build time – homes can be built in half the time compared with standard construction methods. The secret to modular homes’ strength lies in the manufacturing process. To help the modules withstand the demands of the transportation process, modular homes are built with an average of 20% more materials than are regular homes, and often at less cost.

GROWING TO MEET THE DEMANDS

Hundreds of modular homes were built on the Jersey Shore before (Hurricane) Sandy, and not a single one was lost. Many of the modules for the single-family homes are built by Excel Homes, the nation’s largest custom home manufacturer.

CUTTING THROUGH THE RED TAPE

Modular homes builders are guiding would-be homeowners through the sometimes complicated process of completing applications, securing permits and filing insurance claims. A process that might take six months can now be completed in just three months.

“Building a home is hard enough, but when you add insurance claims and the hassles of an overloaded permit process, it gets even harder,” said Excel Homes Sales Manager. “Thankfully, they handle everything, from the demolition of the old home to the completion of the new one. The homeowners choose a design, select the custom features they’d like, and two or three months later, they move in.”

Excel Homes is the largest custom modular home manufacturer in the United States and has built more than 30,000 modular homes. If you are interested in a new, hurricane-safe modular home, contact Avalon Building Systems. We work with Excel homes to build you gorgeous safe homes you can be confident and comfortable in.

digitaljournal.com

Modular commercial buildings are a much broader industry in the US than in years past.  In the U.S. alone, there are an estimated 600,000-plus modular commercial buildings used for everything from daycare centers, apartments, and healthcare centers.

Commercial modular buildings can accommodate all kinds of businesses who are interested in expanding, relocating or owning their own building.  Commercial modular buildings are non-residential and factory-built, and are used for permanent modular construction.

Modular buildings generally serve a few key industries: education, banks, general office space, healthcare and modular apartment buildings. However, modular office space can fulfill other industries’ needs as well. Modular construction can be used for government facilities, daycares, high-tech fields, disaster relief, in-plant structures and more.

Modular commercial buildings are both durable and flexible, and can be transported easily to react to changing needs, even in remote locations. Commercial modular construction can be custom designed and built to suit the needs of any business.

In recent years, the most significant trends for modular commercial construction have been shifts toward office space and modular-complex units.

The flexibility of commercial modular construction has been especially helpful in be able to offer price-effective flexibility.  However, it is also becoming popular for larger-sized projects. <<>

In cities far and wide, these modular commercial buildings are looking more and more attractive. A 49-unit apartment building (expected to take seven months to erect) will become downtown Seattle’s first modular construction project. New York City currently has more than 17 modular projects in development.

Modular building has become an increasingly attractive over recent years. As the economy continues to improve and commercial construction continues to rebound, consider modular commercial construction, contact Avalon Building Systems.

abladvisor.com

Today more and more people are considering building new homes rather than buying homes that need to be renovated. Modular home construction also uses new construction home loans. But, because modular construction is faster, the length of the loan is shorter.  Because the loan process is the same, we often, we get questions about new construction loans.

A new construction home loan is not the same as a traditional home loan. New construction loans have different requirements, need different information and have different rules. But just because the steps are different does not mean you should avoid them.

Once you find that these loans are not that confusing, you will find it easier to own your dream home by building.

A new construction home loan requires the mortgage provider or bank to give you money to build your home. Your mortgage provider needs a detailed accounting on the estimated costs to build your project, including how much you are going to spend.

A new construction loan for both modular homes and traditionally built homes is a short-term loan used to finance the building of a home. The money is advanced to you to cover construction costs as work progresses. So you get the money in installments. As money is paid out to you ,  you pay interest monthly only on the funds that have been disbursed.

This loan type is very popular with families and individuals. When the construction phase of a new home is complete, this loan is paid off with permanent financing.

The downside to construction loans is that is fairly impossible to lock-in a permanent mortgage rate, because you won't be closing the loan until your home is built. The benefit of financing for a modular home is that a modular home only takes two months to build, so you can lock your rate in sooner.

Sometimes lenders are like to interview or see licensing of the contractor you choose. Most modular homes manufacturers have relationships with banks if you need. For more information on modular homes or the construction process, contact Avalon Building Systems.

Many economists believe the housing recovery is based largely as a result of investors entering the market. Modular apartment construction is a faster, more economical way to build an investment property. Modular construction is a faster process than traditional construction which allows you to begin collecting revenue faster.

Modular apartment buildings just might be the next big real estate trend. New York is building prefabricated apartments and multi-family homes. In fact, one 28-unit apartment building recently went up and now Nassau County has its first, a 29-unit residential rental complex.

Modular apartments are built just like modular homes. They are assembled in a factory, delivered by truck and then stacked onto a foundation. Site work, like the installation of gas and electric, are done on site. Once the modules are placed, they are connected and the apartment home is sided.

Modular apartment buildings are built with the highest quality materials and construction methods. They are subject to constant quality control checks throughout the entire building process, far more than traditionally built apartments. Additionally, modular construction is built to meet or exceed all building codes.

All types of floor plans can be created and design details can be added to modular apartment homes as well, like moldings, wood floors, high ceilings and over-sized windows. Kitchens are outfitted with Energy Star appliances and the bathrooms can be designed with custom tile.

For information on modular construction for apartments, contact Avalon Building Systems.

Excerpts - newsday.com

New-home construction picked up in August and building permits for construction hit a five-year high, pointing to resilience in the housing market recovery in the face of higher mortgage rates.
 
The August new home construction was led by a 7% increase in single-family homes. Homes sales have also been strong, but rising interest rates have been driving up home prices as people have been scrambling to buy before rates get even higher.

As a result, single home inventory has been very scarce. Many families who want to buy homes are not finding homes that they love or want to buy. As a result, people have chosen to build. But, as winter fast approaches, many people think they have missed the window in which they can begin new home construction. However, with modular construction, the project can begin at any time of year.

New-home construction has been volatile recently. Home building creates jobs as well as demand for a broad array of building materials and household goods. But the sector's growth has been held back by supply constraints as the industry emerges from its long slump.

Modular home construction does not suffer from materials delays, weather delays, or labor delays. Because they are built in a factory setting, materials are bought in bulk and the weather does not hinder the forward progress of your home construction.  This means that your home is built on schedule regardless of the weather outside. It also means that your home is not exposed to the elements.

After the design process is complete, it takes about 4-6 weeks to have your modular home built and delivered. This means, even if you start now, you can have a custom designed new home in time for the holidays.

If you want to take advantage of interest rates before they rise more buy you just can’t find the right home, consider modular construction. Contact Avalon Building Systems.

Many homeowners don’t want to move, they like their town, neighborhood and schools. The problem is their home is no longer meeting their needs. Instead of moving, build a new home with modular construction.

Maybe you think now is not the right time to start building a home. But, that is the beauty of modular construction.  Modular homes can be built at any time of year.  The home is built in a factory setting where there are no issues with weather delays or weather related materials damage.
 
In our protected factory environment, your hone modules are constructed according to the floor plan you have chosen, either a custom designed floor plan or one of the hundreds of our modular floor plans. And, of course, all of modular homes are built in a factory to exact specifications that meet or exceed all of local and state building codes.

While your modular home is being constructed, the site work is being done including: foundation, sewage and plumbing tie-ins and electric. Once the home is delivered, it can be buttoned up and sided in just a couple days. Rain and snow will not hurt your home because the home is already built.
 
Building a new modular home can begin any time of year. At Avalon Building Systems, we are accustomed to building custom modular homes in the fall and winter. In fact, if you start the design process now, you could be moved into your new home in time for the holidays.

If you have been dreaming of a larger, more accommodating beautiful home, take advantage of the still reasonably low mortgage rates.  If you want to build a new home but do not want to be concerned about your new home being subject to the elements, contact Avalon Building Systems.

The housing marketing is picking up. That is good news for many. But single home inventory is low, which means housing prices are rising. As a result too many people are paying too much for homes they don’t love or have to spend time and money renovating in order to achieve the home they want.

So, many are wondering if they should build instead. If you are contemplating building, consider modular construction. Why? Modular construction takes far less time than traditional construction. This means that you could be in your new modular home even before an existing home sale could be complete.

There are many pros and cons for both buying and building. Consider each when making your decision. Building your dream home may seem difficult, but with modular construction it isn’t. Once you have chosen a modular home floor plan, the build time can take as little as 6-8 weeks. Not only that, there will be no budget surprises with modular construction. The price you get is the price you will pay.

Pros for Building a new modular home:

• Modular homes can be custom designed.
• Modular homes last better through time and weather.
• You home will meet or exceed state and local building codes therefore may be more resalable.
• Modular homes are more energy efficient than traditional construction and more energy efficient than any existing home, saving you money over time.
• In an environment where the buying process is taking longer and longer, with modular construction, you could be in your new home in a couple months.

When you buy a home today, the buying process takes longer. Most likely you could be settling for a home that you need to renovate. You could be stuck with someone else' headache, and no house today is as energy efficient as a newly built home, and modular homes are even more energy efficient than traditional construction.

If you are interested in building a new modular home rather than buying, contact Avalon Building Systems.

Modular homes have been around for decades. Far from being cheap or generic homes, modular home designs can be very original and their build quality can easily meet even high-end conventional homes.

Advantages to modular construction:

Fewer weather delays and issues: Building the modules inside a factory means construction materials stay clean and dry, and reduces the on-site construction time. Eliminating rain delays and other weather-related problems saves time and money, and it helps prevent mold and rot-issues later.

More consistent quality: Workers building wall sections indoors will have the advantage of using assembly platforms, alignment equipment and other big gear an on-site crew does not have. They’ll have more tools to process lumber and other materials to more consistent dimensions, which means a better fit as everything is put together later.

Less risk at the site: Having fewer delivery trucks and smaller work crews can reduce damage to the building site, and closing the house up quickly helps deter vandalism and theft of materials.

Less waste: On-site framing crews can generate a lot of scrap lumber and plywood that gets tossed aside randomly. This wasted material sits to degrade in the weather, tempt vandals or be hauled off to a landfill. The planning that goes into modular construction means most of that “waste” material will be stored inside and used later.

Aside from these advantages of modular construction, modular homes are now more energy efficiency than traditionally built homes. More coordination and precision during the building process means insulation can be integrated into components and sub-structures rather than added on site.

Other energy features such as solar panels, geothermal furnaces or in-floor heating systems also add efficiency and can be better, more easily integrated into the home.

For more information on modular home construction, contact Avalon Building Systems.

miamiherald.com

Modular home builders have long battled a perception. People used to think modular homes were cookie cutter, generic and somewhat boring. However, they have now become popular charming beachfront communities.

In the past few months, modular builders say they are seeing an uptick in demand, especially as new federal flood maps and insurance rates force more homeowners to elevate structures. Because many older beach bungalows won't survive being raised, owners are choosing to replace them with new, efficient, faster to build modular beach front homes that are fabricated in factories and shipped in sections to the building site.

Modular homes looked typically suburban but can be custom designed with custom features, like a deck and large windows.

Architects said the modular construction industry's improved quality control and ability to use materials in different ways have helped bring its buildings up to design standards. "The day of modular housing is dawning," said the executive director of the American Institute of Architects New York.

Modular homes can be built on stilts and are popping up in beach communities as replacement homes and as retirement or vacation homes. Modular homes can be made to evoke beachside bungalows or modernist vacation homes. That has helped allay concerns about identical new, cheap-looking homes.

Modular single family homes can be but aren't necessarily less expensive than traditional construction, but they do save time because they can be built in the factory while owners are waiting for demolition and foundation work. Once the modules are built and transported to the building site, it takes a day or two to bolt the pieces into place.

For more information on beachside modular homes, contact Avalon Building Systems.

Excerpts - WSJ

People should consider building ‘prefab’ homes. There is so much less waste, they’re faster, and they’re often less expensive.
 
“Prefabricated” homes are modular homes. Modular home construction streamlines the home construction process. On-Site construction usually involves multiple parties, but prefab homes are typically designed, constructed and built by one company.
 
Customers who choose modular construction to build a  new home know the price, and they know what they’re getting for a finished product. It is a much less stressful process.

Because of the streamlined process, architects and builders are able to control how much (or how little) waste is involved in construction. Modular homes manufacturers are offering ways to make construction less wasteful and more streamlines. Homes are constructed in factories where it’s easier to source sustainable materials and control waste, and transporting fewer workers means a smaller carbon footprint.

Not only is the modular building process more sustainable, but prefab homes have benefits for your energy bill, too. New developments in the industry allow builders to achieve a tighter envelope on the house. Spray foam insulation and structural insulated panels help to ensure that air doesn’t leak into or outside of the home.

As prefab homes become more environmentally sustainable,  modular design has evolved as well. Many people associate prefab homes with a modern style of architecture; however, prefab is a type of construction, not a certain design style. Prefab houses can be built in almost any style you can build an on-site house.

Contrary to their prior reputation of being “cookie cutter” homes, prefab homes are actually very customizable.  

Is a prefab home right for you? Prices tend to be competitive, but the cost of building prefab varies depending on the type of home, which can range from large, high-end homes to smaller, more economical models. And prefabs are not specific to certain areas; they can be built as remote getaways or into busy urban neighborhoods.

For more information on modular construction and prefab homes, contact Avalon Building Systems.

UT San Diego