10 Reasons to Buy a Prefab Home

A modular or prefab home is often mistaken for a mobile home. They are quite different by design, quality and cost. A prefab home is built indoors in a factory like setting. The finished product is then transported to the site location and assembled by a builder. The prefabrication process is also known as factory built or system built homes. There are many reasons why prefab homes are gaining popularity.  Here are 10 of them.

Time Saver

The prefabrication process is done indoors eliminating weather delays and construction site issues. A prefab home can be constructed in a few weeks compared to months and in some cases years. It will take another two or three weeks to assemble the home at the site location. The factory like setting is climate controlled and efficient, which speeds up the entire home buying process. This includes inspections, appraisals and the mortgage closing date. Most inspections are done at the factory by a third party during each phase of the building process.

Cost Effective

Prefab homes typically cost fifteen to twenty percent less than a traditional build. This is due to the accelerated construction, material efficiency and limited waste. The builders buy large quantities of materials such as wood, rock and lumber which lowers the overall cost. The material, skilled labor and assembly line process are central to one location. Depending on where you are “building” there may be additional expenses if plumbing, heating, electricity and sewage are not already established. The homeowner is also responsible for the foundation.

Peace of Mind

The prefabrication process allows manufactures to sell the prefab homes for a set price. There are no budgets or on site builders. You set your budget or price point and it will never cost you more than the guaranteed price. The hassle of being over budget, missing builders and slow labor are no longer an issue.

Energy Efficient

During the prefabrication process factory insulation and precision building techniques are implemented and help reduce heating and cooling costs year round. Most prefab homes are considered “green homes”.

Durability

Prefab homes are often built with greater strength and can withstand winds up 175 miles per hour. They are built to be transported to the home site and come with greater structural integrity. Most prefab homes come with a ten year structural warranty. Prefab homes are permanent structures, they are not mobile homes.

Long Term Maintenance

Prefab homes are built in a modern environment with high quality materials. They are precision engineered to last a lifetime. A well-built house will reduce repair bills and will be less costly to maintain. Many times with traditional home sales the new homeowner discovers new problems that were hidden or undisclosed.

Design

The prefabrication process has no design limits. Most builders will work with you and build to your specifications. You can build your dream home and the possibilities are endless. You can build in any region and blend right in. You can choose the floorplan that best fits your family’s needs. You can select any style of windows and doors. You can choose any material from granite kitchen counter tops, stainless steel sinks and ceramic bathroom fixtures. You can choose vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors. You can build a deck, a porch and a garage. And like a traditional build incorporate beautiful landscape deigns. There are multi-level designs available and there is the option to add on and expand in the future. Homeowners can choose designs up to 5.000 square feet. The prefabrication process can also be used for commercial buildings like offices and retail locations.

Quality

On site inspectors and independent agencies inspect the prefab home per state and local government guidelines. A reputable builder will thoroughly inspect the prefab home before it leaves the factory. A quality control process is conducted to verify the prefab home meets all code compliances and high quality workmanship. Most prefabrication companies have their own in house engineering department and utilize CAD, Computer Aided Design.

Environment

The building process takes places in a modern, efficient and well-engineered factory like setting. It reduces material waste by cutting material to their exact size, materials are reused and recycled for the next prefabrication process. Excavation is often not needed which protects local vegetation and plant life and eliminates costly construction machinery like bulldozers and excavators. It reduces air pollution and excessive trips to the landfill. Prefab homes are often referred to as eco-friendly or green homes. They are made from sustainable materials which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and this environmentally beneficial. When buying an older home there is a higher risk of mold exposure, toxic materials like polyurethane, decades old insulation and duct work.

Taxes and Insurance

The property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, mortgage process, appraisal value and resale value are comparable to traditional built homes in the same area. When you are ready to sell it may take longer to sell a prefab home to the traditional buyer. Be sure to market to prefab enthusiasts. A prefabrication home isn’t for everyone. There is a growing trend to establish prefab communities. Most buyers and sellers are under the assumption a prefab home has less market value than a traditional built home. Prefab homes can appreciate in value as would any other property depending on the area and current market value.

The refabricating process puts control back into the homebuyer’s hands. The next generation of homebuyers are changing the way homes are built and bought. In an ever changing economy there are still options available to build your own home and achieve home ownership. The prefab home is made to be delivered to the desired home site. If you decide to move you can take your house with you. Your first home can realistically be your one and only home. Modern technology has changed the way we build and buy houses and how we live in them. Traditionally, in the past when we moved, we would leave the house and a few memories behind. Now we can take the house and everything connected to it with us.

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