Avalon Building Systems Blog

How are modular homes constructed?

Most people know how homes are built; slowly and costly. And people know about modular homes, but how are they built? What are the tools needed?  Well modular components are typically constructed within a large indoor facility on assembly lines much like Henry Ford originally began with his automobile company. Facilities such as these use an assembly line track to move the module components from one workstation to the next. This is a quick and cost effective way to get many module components together. However it’s not just modules by themselves there are independent building inspectors on site to supervise the construction and ensure that all building codes are taken care of during assembly.

The modules that will combine to form the house are assembled in a different factory. The construction of these modules can take one to three months to be completed but only take as little as 10 days actually to construct when they are first started. Afterwards, the modules are transported to the building site where a crane is brought in to assemble the modules together. The placement of the modules generally takes several hours or days to do so. A great thing about modular homes, once assembled, are that they are essentially indistinguishable from typical site-built homes. While mobile manufactured buildings often decrease in value over time, our  modular built homes have the same longevity as its site-built counterpart, increasing in value over time.

Here’s a short process in which the modular home goes through:

• First you have the bulk material
• The walls are attached to the floor
• The ceiling dry walled in spray booth
• Roof set in place
• Roof shingled and siding in stalled
• Then it’s ready for delivery

The development of a household budget is a must activity both before you build a home as well as during your ownership of that home. By preparing a budget you can better focus on mortgage payment goals and how the new house will affect your total expenses. Maintaining a budget during the time you own the home can help to prevent potential financial disasters as well as point you in a money saving direction so you have more funds available for those things that you need or want.

You will need a little time to develop your budget but it should not take longer than a few hours if you gather the necessary information first. Get everyone who will be involved in spending involved in developing the budget.

Some of the items and information you will need to develop your budget are:

• All current monthly loan payments.
• All other monthly expenses (such as child care, dues, etc.).
• Records of variable expenses (for example, utilities, food and car repair) from the last 12 months. This will give you an estimate of your monthly expenditures.
• Records of annual or semi-annual expenses (such as insurance and taxes).
• An estimate of what your new mortgage payment will be.
• Records of other non-fixed expenses (for example, medical expenditures) for the last year. This will give you an estimate of average expenses of this type.
• Records or an estimate of personal expenses (entertainment, travel, etc.)
• Having a current copy of your credit report can be very helpful. Not only will it reveal any inaccuracies in your credit history, it will also give you a clear picture your monthly obligations. You can get a free copy of your Credit Report.

“On-Site” Modular Home Costs

The costs of a modular home are considered off site construction costs since up-to 90% of the home is completed at the factory.  These other costs you will/may incur are the on site costs which include but may not be limited to the following:

• Building Lot
• Financing and Closing Costs
• Legal Fees
• Building Permits
• Utility Connections
• Water and Sewer/Septic
• Site Preparation
• Excavation
• Foundation
• Crane
• Porches, Decks and Garages (if not included with your modular home package)
• Exterior Completion—siding, gutters, etc
• Plumbing Tie–Ins
• HVAC
• Electrical
• Interior Completion
• Temporary Housing

Roofing material and roof guarantees are critical to quality home construction, however, they are often overlooked by the consumer.  Many building contractors cut their costs by using cheap roofing products that offer little in terms of guarantee and longevity of product.  We are proud to  offer roofs constructed with 30-year guaranteed architectural self-sealing fiberglass shingles.

It is very important to discuss the subject of roofing options with your builder.  We welcome detailed discussions about our choice of building material specifications because across the board they meet or exceed stick-builder's quality standards.       

Financing and Insuring for Modular Homes vs Stick Built Homes

We want you to know that we’ve inquired of multiple banks and insurance companies about the differences in financing and insuring modular home construction.  Their response is universally consistent…..There is no difference in terms of both availability and cost.

Financiers and insurers are well aware that modular home construction strength and building standards exceed that of traditional “stick built” homes.  In fact, some insurers predict that the cost of insuring modular construction will become more affordable in time as actuaries continue to compile statistical evidence of the modular home’s structural superiority.  This is yet another reason the new home construction pendulum continues to swing in favor of modular home construction.