Prefabricated Homes

What is a prefabricated or modular home? Prefabricated houses are in essence, any home that's anywhere from eighty to ninety-five percent created within a factory setting. Originally, they were inspired by Sears and Roebuck catalog houses that were mail-ordered in the early 1900's. When most people hear the words 'prefabricated home', they think mobile homes and picture trailer courts, but today's prefabricated homes are constructed on nearly any piece of land and can be as distinctive and appealing as any conventionally constructed house.

In their beginnings, prefabricated homes really didn't provide many floor plan or design opportunities. Today it's a different story. Although every prefabricated house starts out in a similar fashion, styles may be as varied and specialized as those who live in them. A prefabricated home builder can provide a range of home styles and modular floor plans, from two story and split level houses to ranch and cape styles. Whether you're looking for a smaller cottage style house or a roomy 4000 square foot home, prefabricated homes are adaptable to perfectly match what your family needs.

Since they're constructed inside a factory setting, prefabricated houses aren't contingent on the weather cooperating, and the work is done more quickly and efficiently. In the factory, each section (or module) is created and examined prior to the completed product being shipped via flat bed truck to the home site. There, the sections are put on a foundation and the build is completed. There are various approaches to the construction of prefabricated houses once the modules are on the build site. No matter what method is used, this portion of the operation can be finished within two to a month in most cases.

Considering that setbacks are a rarity, and there's far less build time involved, square foot costs in a prefabricated home may be considerably lower than their conventionally constructed counterpart. However, the greatest money of saver could come after the build. Since today's prefabricated houses are so energy efficient, cooling and heating costs are often significantly reduced. Yearly utility costs have the potential to be less than half of those compared to site built homes primarily because prefabricated homes are often more sufficiently insulated and airtight. Better management over dust, humidity allergens and external noise is additionally more effective.

The market for prefabricated homes is expanding all the time. Take time to find out more about the different options available for modular and manufactured homes. Home buyers are starting to recognize the huge benefits that come from going to prefabricated homes, and the business of building prefabricated or modular homes is expected to increase from 9.5 billion dollars in 2003 to 11.8 billion in 2007. Investigating home builders in your area should certainly include the prefabricated home building market.