Modlar vs. Manufactured

[Richard]

Through a great deal of research and discusion with a number of people and reading quite a bit of material I am left with a serious guestion. I understood that a modular house was built under BOCA Codes and that the frame was non existent.
The state of Florida and a few other states may well have the same, a set of 'codes' known as DCA. In a letter to me from a manufacturer in Florida is the term "DCA / Modular homes and the information in the literature for DCA / Modular homes states that the 'hitch' is removable. A modular home has a hitch? That leads me to think that there is a frame still left under the structure and of coarse that does not sound like a true 'modular' house. Am I all wet?

[Bill Fry]

If its built on a unremovable steel outrigger
frame and comes with a hitch bolted up to it it isnt a modular.Perhaps some MF builders are trying to pass thm off as such but under closer scrunity they are MF homes.The modulars I have seen on steel beams didn't come with them.The steel was part of the foundation and frame support that was prepared for them on site by a sub.
Secondly the steel was not the light weight type you always see in MF,it was more like you see in commercial building applications.

[rmurray]

Boca is onbly 1 of the regional codes used to build modualr homes...In the SE most state require the home to be built to the Southern Standard Building Code...

Homes in Florida are inspected and approved by the Florida Depeartment of Community Affairs...Hence the dumb industry anacronym...DCA...

The Southern Standard Building Code does allow a moduslar to be on frame...meaning the frame is part of the home and it set up on permanent pierss
...much like a manufactured home...Each state has different rules..
Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Al...all allow the frame to stay on the home...GA requires the home to be built off frame..or like you envision a modular..

All manufacturers in the SE offer the modular with frame or off frame..usually at the same factory price...The difference might be larger floor joists...but..set up cost much more for off frame and adds nothing to product qulaity or long term viability..Most modulars sold in the South are on frame..

[DIANE]

I would like to upgrade my modular house
I have two concerns earthquake + financing

Can anyone please help? I own a modular house and do to financing options I was wondering if it would (for loan purposes modular homes are @ a higher interest rate) be possible to upgrade to a standard house by say:
Making permanent attachments to the foundation
Upgrade of plumbing
Stucco @ the exterior
Etc.
Does anyone know of any sources for information that may help??
I live in Acton CA. (L.A. County)
Thank you
Diane
[email protected]