Industry Information
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a manufactured house and a modular home?
Both manufactured and modular homes are built in a factory and shipped up to 90% complete to the home site.
Manufactured homes are built to federal code, called the HUD code. This code, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), regulates the design and construction including strength and durability, fire resistance, wind safety, energy efficiency, and overall quality. The HUD Code also sets performance standards for heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and thermal and electrical systems. Manufactured homes are the only form of housing subject to federal building code. These homes typically sit on a chassis rather than a permanent foundation.
Modular homes are factory built homes that are built to the specifications of the local building code just as a traditional site-built home would be. After building the modules or sections, they are shipped to the home site for final assembly. These homes are affixed to a permanent foundation such as a crawl space or basement.
Is a manufactured or modular home the same thing as a "mobile home"?
No. Actually, there hasn't been a mobile home built in 40 years. This is the result of the Federal Construction and Safety Standard Act passed in 1976 by Congress. This law is administered by HUD and regulates a manufactured home's design and construction.
What are the benefits of manufactured or modular homes over site-built homes?
Manufactured and modular homes are built in a climate controlled setting and are subject to more stringent quality control than site-built counterparts.
Weather delays are not an issue because of the factory setting.
The cost can be significantly less than a site-built home, up to 11% for a modular home and 25-50% for a manufactured home.
What style options are available in modular homes?
Modular homes are customizable just like traditional site-built homes. Non-loadbearing walls can be moved or eliminated and extras such as garages, decks and porches can be added. Modular homes come in multiple styles as well including ranch, chalet, colonial and more.
How long does it take to build a modular home?
Typically a modular home can be built in 1-2 months. This can vary depending on the size and style of the home.
What are my financing options?
Financing a modular home is the same as financing a site-built new construction home.
Financing for a manufactured home may be the same as a traditional home loan if:
- the home is larger than 400 sq. ft.
- the home is classified as real property vs. personal property
Financing for a manufactured home classified as personal property is still readily available if certain criteria are met.