Modular Homes?

[mom2boys77]

We had a house fire that destroyed our home (a 1300 sq ft ranch). Our insurance company gave us the ok to build a modular if we wanted. We fell in love with one. It's an approx. 2000 sq ft Colonial. Has anyone ever built a modular before? Just wondering if there is anything we should know about them and the building process..good and/or bad. Thanks!

 

[aunties]

I am sorry about the fire. I can't imagine the devestation you felt.

My modular home (ranch) was installed almost 3 years ago. I replaced the house I grew up in. I love it! I had an amazing house company and contractors that I worked with. It is a lot quicker than a "stick built" house and better built too. I was "homeless" for less than two months, including the 3 weeks it took the electric company to disconnect the power from the old house. Because the house is built in a factory, it is built within a 1/16" of being perfectly square.

Some people confuse modular homes with pre-fabs or mobile homes. My house was built in a factory in two pieces, front and back. Other than wider doorways along the "marriage" wall, you cannot tell that it is a modular. I had all the options I would have had if I had the house built completely on-site. I have a full basement too.

Research the house company and the contractors that will be building and installing the house. Fortunately, mine came with unbelieveable recommendations and they lived up to them.

Good luck! And let me know if you have any questions. I love telling people about my new home.

 

[mommy2emily]

There is a company in Pennsylvania called Ritz Craft they are supposed to be a good quality home. Once ordered and delivered a modular home can be set up in a day for the most part - then the subconctractors have to do their part. Plumbers, electricians have to come in and hook stuff up but a modular can be ready pretty quickly

 

[BonnieA]

We had a modular home when we lived in MD. At first when we were looking, all I could picture was a "double wide" but the house was a two story with a garage. It was the best made house we have ever owned. The stick-built ones we had couldn't hold a candle to the construction in this one. Wish I had one like that now.

 

[4nana]

We have good friends that retired from building business, sold their big 2 story home and had a nice modular home built in Pa. They are both very, very happy and comfortable in their rambler that didn't cost above their budget in retirement. It is quite sizeable and very well constructed, incl: big eat in Kit, LRm, Frm, 4 BR's, 3 baths and a big deck.

Sorry to hear about your fire and losing everything , best wishes with your new place.

 

[safetymom]

I know when we lived in PA there was a zoning code about where they could be built. I would check on that.

 

[pixiewings71]

OP I'm sorry about your fire. We had one 3 years ago, we rebuilt the same house on the same lot so I don't know about going modular but my sis lived in a mod for a while. It was nice and she was happy with it for a while.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

So sorry that you lost your home to fire. I can only imagine how devastating that would be!!

I'm not familiar with NJ laws, but in NC modulars are built to the same standards as stick-built homes and are treated as such by zoning and building codes (unlike mobile homes which are built to HUD standards).

My advice would be the same that I would give to someone buying a stick built home, which is to do a lot of research before you hire a contractor. If you can find someone in your local building inspections office who is willing to talk candidly, then they usually have a good idea about who is a reputable contractor and who isn't. If they aren't willing to talk, then ask them if they can tell you of any houses installed in your area recently by that contractor (it should be public information) and go talk to the homeowner directly about their experience.

Good luck!!