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Prefab Modular Homes Pros and Cons

Are you looking for a prefab home to build on your new off grid property or just thinking about buying a new home? There are many different kinds of homes to choose from. Traditionally, stick-built or brick built homes were a more common thing of the past. With technology growing evermore, there is now an easier way to go.

There is no need to wait for years to complete the grueling home building process. There is no need to wait through delay after delay while the cost is on a slow but steady increase.

Understanding this will bring you to the wonderful world of prefab homes. Where you can have your needs and wants met without breaking the bank.

What Is A Prefab Home?

Prefab homes are also known as prefabricated homes.

Prefab homes are still essentially stick built homes built with high quality products where the main components have been assembled beforehand and then finished on site. The main difference is they are built in a more modern capacity with better efficiency than with a traditional stick built home which is completely built on-site .

Prefab homes are just as beautiful and as modern as homes that are built on-site.

They are first partially built in a factory type setting rather than being built completely at the final location. This can have some serious benefits for the owners. Prefabricated homes come in many different types.

There are options called prefab home kits which are made production style then shipped in pieces to be assembled on-site by you and a few others.

Why Is A Prefabricated Home Better Than Buying a Normal Home?

If you are considering buying a prefabricated home, it is important to weigh the good against the bad. In the case of prefab home vs on-site stick built homes there are not many disadvantages but great advantages instead.

Buying A Prefab Home Is Cost Effective.

It can be anywhere from a 10 to 20 percent price reduction to build a prefabricated home rather than to manufacture a stick built home on-site. Materials are bought in bulk while using precision so there is no chance of running out and having to pay an increase in price changes. There is no added labor costs from time delays.

Time Management.

It can be anywhere from 2 to 5 months longer to build a house on-site than a prefab home. This is extremely important for cost reasons too. The longer it takes to build is the longer you will be paying for the cost of labor .

Prefab Homes Produce Less Waste.

Since the home is built in pieces in a factory or warehouse, there is a substantial amount of less waste on materials and such. Everything is specially engineered to be produced with less waste on materials by precise measurements and cutting.

Prefab Homes Provide Serious Durability.

Prefab homes are made to be shipped which means they need extra materials in order to reinforce the frame of the home for it’s delivery. This makes them extremely more durable than a normal on-site built home. This means they will last for many years to come.

What Are The Price Ranges For Prefab Homes vs A Home Built On-Site?

Buying a custom built home can cost around 200,000 dollars depending on many factors. Most people go way above their initial budget. There are a lot of choices to make in customizing a home. These choices will cost you the longer the process goes.

An easier and more cost effective way to go would be a prefabricated home. This home can be exactly what you have always wanted. Your perfect dream home and it will cost you much less than expected.

The average cost per square foot for an on-site built home is around $150.00 to $250.00. That is also due to the extra customizations that can be used for your benefit. For a prefabricated home it will cost anywhere from $60.00- $80.00 per square foot. That is a huge savings when it’s added up.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Owning A Prefabricated Home?

Some people still don’t understand how modern home building has become. They still continue to look down on modular homes because they think they are not as great as a traditional stick built home. As you will see, not all of the disadvantages are really bad or enough to turn you away. There is nothing worth having that doesn’t come without a little effort.

Less Customizing.

An on-site built home will have hundreds of customized options to choose from. Most often it can become a grueling process and end up going extremely over budget. Often it’s easy to get out of hand and not realize how much money you have just added to the bill. Each customization costs money.

A prefab home has plenty of choices that will give you an amazing home without feeling overwhelmed by a long list of options to choose from. It will be limited in the option department but, still giving you the best home for your family.

Land Must Be Owned.

Do you own your own piece of land? Are you currently looking for land? When looking for land it’s important to remember that there are rules and restrictions for some properties. Sometimes it is prohibited to put a prefab home of any type on a certain property. There are some properties that will not allow manufactured homes to be placed on it. There are also costs for setting your home spot up with a power pole for utilities if it doesn’t already have one. There will be a need for a well to be dug or city hook ups and a service for sewage.

Do not be discouraged though. There are plenty of companies that sell prefab homes that will also help you to find some land. They will also assist with pulling the required permits as well as finding a contractor to pour foundation if they do not. They can assist in finding a plumber and electrician for your utility needs. All of this will be added in the price for your prefab home package.

Less Lending Options.

If you own a manufactured home it can be very difficult to find lenders to help you finance. It is not impossible though. There are lenders out there it just takes some work to find them. Shopping around for the best options for financing is a given if you want good rates. If you don’t want to go the financing route then just set a tight budget to make sure you can make all of your payments on time to keep on the schedule of the delivery.

The same hard lending options are not the case for modular homes. These homes can get financing from anywhere. If you do not know how to tell the difference from a modular home from a manufactured home, all you have to do is check under the crawlspace. If there are steel beams under the home for reinforcements it is considered a manufactured home. This will help you if you decide to purchase a used home or one already on a piece of land.

Upfront Costs. 

There is one serious disadvantage with purchasing a prefab homes is that the home must be paid in full by the time of completion or they will not deliver it to your home site. It can be hard sometimes to have the extra money for those added payments. It’s important to remember that you must have it paid before delivering unless you have financing options available to serve you. Check out all of your options before deciding.

Common Misconceptions Of Prefab Homes.

There is a common misconception that a prefab home doesn’t hold its value as a traditional built home does. This is completely false. The value of the prefab home can increase with time if the home is properly maintained and the neighborhood value doesn’t depreciate.

Another misconception is that a prefab home will deteriorate faster than a traditional stick built home. The truth is that a traditional on-site home is subjected to the harsh elements a lot longer than a prefabricated home will be since it is manufactured in a warehouse. The on-site home was built in the elements leaving it to deteriorate faster than a prefab home.

There is no extra maintaining needed for a modular home than a traditional stick built home. They are safely protected by the permanent foundation. They are actually stronger since they are tested at the factory and reinforced for the long travel. This is not the same for mobile homes also known as manufactured homes.

Once they are delivered then it’s safe to move in your home. It takes time to get the power hooked up properly and the water especially if there isn’t active city hook ups available. Not to mention if there is any deck or patio areas. They must be built on-site after the delivery and set-up. There could also be landscaping that is included in your prefabricated home package. This will have to be done once the home is delivered and set up.

You can prepare to wait about 6 to 8 weeks before getting the go ahead to move your family inside your new home. Sometimes this can seem like a disadvantage but it won’t be if it’s prepared for in advance. After all, how many great benefits are getting out of this prefabricated home?

Buying any home has its benefits and disadvantages whether it is a traditional stick built home or a prefab home. It is important to really think about what is best for you and your family. After weighing the pros and the cons, which home best suits your family’s needs? Will you be purchasing a prefab home or having a traditional on-site built home constructed?

Having a prefab home built is the modern way to build these days. It is environmentally safe and extra durable for a long lifespan.

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