I need helpful info on Modular homes

[michelle d beck]

I need quick info on Modular homes vs Mobile homes for my family to look over. What is the difference? What is the price range for a four bedroom, two bath with pantry and lots of closet room? How long does it take to be moved into and how do they do it? Do they build it in a factory then ship it to your site or do hey build it on the site? How well do they hold up over time? Is it like a mobile home which loses value over time or does it increase like a house? What major complaints or problems do people have out of them? How easy it is it to get financing on a Modular home. Do they come completely built or is that in the hands of the purchaser? Tell me what companies I can find in Tallahassee Florida or near there that I can view one.
Thank you

[Randy Eaton]

Hello Michelle,

A modular home is built in sections and delivered to your site and assembled by a general contractor. A manufactured home is completed at a factory and taken to your site. A set up crew can have a manufactured home done within 7-days. A modular home will usually take a month or longer. A quality manufactured home will have the same construction as a modular home. Modular homes will cost a lot more because of the additional labor involved on site.

Randy Eaton

[Joe]

I don't agree with Randy here. A manufactured home is built to the HUD code and a modular home is built to BOCA and/or UBC. There is a big difference in the construction. A general contractor is not always hired to set a modular home, sometimes the factory itself comes to set the home. Before I would buy either I would check the dealer. Ask who would set the home and find out if they are reliable. Ask for references from previous buyers. The set of the home is very important. A home is only as good as it's foundation. I think the additional cost of a modular is the quality and resale value.

[Randy Eaton]

Hello Joe,

You're right when you say that manufactured homes are built to HUD standards. But many Mfg. homes exceed HUD standards. I live in a Mfg. that exceeds HUD standards and has many of the same features found in site built or modular homes. If a person is looking at a quality built Mfg. home that exceeds HUD standards and places that home on a concrete foundation and landscapes with decks and patio’s their home will appreciate just like a site built home. If a someone is looking at a modular home they will end up spending between $70 and $80 a square foot. A well-built Mfg. will cost someone between $$60 to $70. This includes land and improvements. I looked at modular homes versus Mfg homes. I choose a top of thel line Mfg. and my costs were $63 per square foot. My home is 2200 square feet. My total costs where $138.000 the same modular home priced at $78 per square foot would have cost me $171,600 for the same size home. Both homes used the same building material and followed the same codes. I saved over $30,000 by choosing a well built Mfg. home verse a modular home in this case. My home has appreciated over $40,000 in 2 1/2 years. Modular homes require more on site labor thus driving up the square footage price. I lile modular homes and feel it's a good investment. But if a quality built manufactured home were available in your area then I would consider that and compare the two. Hope this helps.

Randy Eaton