About Lemelia Bonner Expertise New Home Consultant specializing in alternative building/purchasing methods. Expertise in all types of building systems, incl. but not limited to: modular, post & beam, panelized, dome, solar, experimental. Good familiarity with products, quality, processes and service of all leading manufacturers. Can also assist with locating specialized lenders, reputable owner-builder programs and affordable custom design services. For more on modular home design, visit the expert`s website at www.custom-wise.com.
Question I would like to build a 3 story modular home, not including finished basement, on a 50' X 115' plot I own in D.C. The home would have to be tall and narrow. I have the following questions:
(1) Can the project be completed in a fraction of the time of traditional stick frame construction?
(2) Are modular homes cheaper to construct than traditional stick frame?
(3) Are they comparable in quality?
(4) Are Haven Homes and Pennlyon homes reputable?
(5) Do u recommend any builders and manufactures on the east coast?
(6) What are some major obstacles to be cautious about?
Answer Hi, JoeJoe
Sorry I have to be brief, but I'm about to leave for a short vacation in a few, and wanted to answer your question before I left. Here's the short version of my answer. First, Haven Homes and Penn Lyon are both very good companies. Of the two, I probably like Haven best, as their designs are most indistinguishable from stick built, and can be quite classy. Those two are the builders I would actually recommend most in the NE, along with Deluxe Homes and Excel. There are also some good ones in VA, particularly Nationwide. As for how modulars compare in terms of time and cost, it depends. I know that's probabaly not the answer you're looking for, but it's truly the case. If a factory is really backed up (esp. during certain peak times, your home can take a long time to get started on, but after start it can go quickly). To be honest, these days modulars can sometimes be just as costly or more than traditional, site-built homes, depending on the materials and options you choose. Keep in mind that very few homes built today that are "called" stick built actually have at least some modular components. But, as for quality, I would choose a modular home any day, because they are constructed with more precision, in a controlled (no rain) environment, and are stronger. Only thing I would be cautious about is floors in a three-story home. Some manufacturers have not quite gotten the hang of stacking units without creating squeaky floors. Excel does a good job in this area. Hope this info helps!
