Should we build or buy modular cape style home?

[Trish Bessette]

My head is ready to explode! I would love to hear from you who have either built your home or bought a modular (stick built) home. We are debating what would be the best way. My husband is a carpenter but of course the banks don't want to see him doing the work, he will need to hire a general contractor. But, the modular home way is convenient. You get the delivery date and they bring it to your site and set it the next day with a crane. We are interested in a cape cod style home and they come with the upstairs unfinished so my husband would be able to do that work.

The problem is....we will be homeless during this ordeal. We will need to remove our current home so that we can build/buy our new one. We are looking into renting a camper (31 foot) to be able to stay on our land while the new house is being done. We have pets so we are unable to go stay with family members. This will all be taking place June/July timeframe.

I'm looking for words of encouragement from my DIS friends to give me that boost of energy to keep moving forward....

 

[Disney_1derland]

No advice but some questions for you...we are also looking into modular homes. Have you gotten price quotes yet? wondering what the average $ amount per square foot is looking like, we haven't gotten our quotes back yet.

 

[Trish Bessette]

We weren't given a square foot price. As I said we are looking at a cape style home. Near 2,000 square feet of living space.

This type of home will run us near $85,000 and like I said we need to finish the upper level.

 

[mudnuri]

well if your going to be living in an RV during it- go with the modular

if your going to be looking to sell, go with a real stick built...modular's aren't worth the same as a real stick built...

And the 85K you were given- you better make sure what thats including...generally you need to get your own plummer, electrician, and site work including basement or pad on your own....nothing is hooked up- just roughed in...im sure it doesnt include the well/septic either...so take that into consideration

Brandy

 

[Disney_1derland]

We weren't given a square foot price. As I said we are looking at a cape style home. Near 2,000 square feet of living space.

This type of home will run us near $85,000 and like I said we need to finish the upper level.

That is about what we are looking at as well, only all of our square footage will be finished. The 'rough' estimate was $76,000 so I'm guessing the full estimate will come in somewhere along what you are looking at.

Good Luck! Keep us posted on your choice!

 

[Trish Bessette]

Oh yes, we are fully aware that the price does not include plumbing, electrical, basement, septic, well, etc. We already have that on our site so that won't be a big addition.

We don't have any plans to sell the home. We live right on the lake and just love it here.

 

[Tiggeroo]

A good friend of mine does modulars. He lives in one as does his dd. They are very nice. His dd bought the cape cod without the upstairs finished and then did the upstairs. In modulars like he deals in, you wouldn't know the difference between it and a stick built house. The main difference would be the level of luxuries. Modulars, unless you order upgrades come with things at a very basic level. The cabinets won't be real wood unless you order it, the paint and carpets will be builder grade. Some modular builders will allow you to do some things on your own. Others will need to put in the most basic of things and you on your own do the upgrades. The Cape Cods are nice because you can get into a home for a low cost and then finish things on your own later as you save the money. Another trick he would do to give you more space is to put it on a raised basement with an open staircase to the basement. Then when you get the money you finish the basement and have another floor. This was generally done with ranchers and split levels.

 

[mrsmom]

He have one, Our is an all american home. It's a cape cod and we left the upstairs unfinishes so dh could finish it. we even added on another family room and bed room and bathroom besides the upstairs a yr later. We have it for sale now because Dh has to transfer his job out of state. But I loved my home ,we never had any problems , and it didn't take long for them to set it up and get it ready. It now is a 5 bedroom and three full bath. There is so much you can do for that price.

Kim

 

[Trish Bessette]

Thanks everyone. I'm getting excited for the modular now. I think this would be the best way to go.

We will have it set on a full basement. I do realize they come basic. Our dealer is great in allowing us to do a lot of it on our own. We will do all the interior painting and flooring. We will finish the upstairs (2 bedrooms and a bathroom) and put on a front porch the entire length of the home.

 

[4nana]

Our good friends just retired (he is a builder), sold their 2 story home in Md. for $250,000 and had a modular built in Pa., designed the exact way they wanted for $85,000 completely finished. It does not include basement, but, frieplace, decks, etc. It is beautiful and definitely worth every penny!!

My DH is a retired builder and we built our own stick home 25 yrs ago, as we wanted lots of little extras, a special pitch on the roof, etc. Warning, it takes lots of time and patience..LOL!! DH has put up modulars also, which takes a lot less time/money as they are prebuilt to your plans. IMO - a stick house may cost more, but has a better resale value. It is really a matter of preference, plus, how much you're willing to work. Good luck and I know you will enjoy either way!!

<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZNxdm86744US' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_4_30.gif' border=0></a>Sandie

 

[sweet angel]

I have a dumb question...

I know what a modular home is, but what does "stick built" mean? Is that a house built the "regular" way?

 

[4nana]

Yes, stick built is one of wood. A truck delivers materials of lumber, windows, shingles, etc. to your lot site. Then builder measures, cuts, frames according to your plans.

Sorta like making cookies from scratch vs. box mix....LOL! Both are good .

Sandie

 

[Cinderellagrl]

There really isn't too much difference between a stick built home and a modular, other than the fact that the modular is made off site. There is a big difference, however, in a mobile home. Mobile homes depreciate in value over the years. There really isn't much of a difference between the resale value of a stick built or modular either.