Pros and Cons of Modular Homes

The pros of modular homes include lower costs over traditional construction methods, better quality, improved construction speed, and better resilience while the cons consist of a bit more complicated financing process, lack of customization, and the social stigma that is the consequence of the low-quality of modular homes in the past. In this article, we explore this topic more thoroughly. If you are interested in purchasing a modular home, you need to read on.

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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Modular Homes

So, what are the pros and cons of modular homes? We will start with the advantages and then continue with the downsides. Take a look below.

Pros:

• Lower costs – Modular homes are less expensive than site builts (though they might be a bit more costly than HUD Mfg homes), making them affordable for more people.
• Easy to install – Placing modular homes is quick and efficient, letting you move in soon after your new home is ready.
• Durable – Modular homes, even with all their other advantages, are still similarly durable as site-built houses. To add to that, they are even more resilient than traditional homes, making them much safer for areas where natural disasters are more likely.
• Sustainable – When building a modular home, less material waste is produced than during a standard construction, meaning that it’s more friendly for the environment and your pocket (less material waste = less materials needed + quicker clean up).
• You can finance them with conventional means – Unlike HUD Mfg homes, modular houses can be financed through conventional means. Bear in mind, though, that the process might involve a few additional steps when compared to site-built homes.
• Quality – Modular homes are factory-controlled, meaning that the whole construction is highly vetted before being installed. This pays off in high quality that you can be sure of.
• Safer construction – Less disturbance and safer construction are what define modular homes – building a house like that can even help you stay on good terms with your neighbors.

Cons:

• Lack of customization – You might choose from several designs of modular homes, but you never get the possibility to fully customize your dwelling, unlike a site-built house.
• Social stigma – Some time ago, modular homes were associated with low quality. While this is a thing of the past, the social stigma related to this type of housing is still present and might be discouraging. Plus, there are still people who confuse modular homes with mobile ones and may be biased towards them.
• A bit more complicated financing – As mentioned earlier, while you can use conventional methods to finance a modular home, there might be a few additional steps involved in the process, so the process might take longer than for site-built homes.

The Takeaway

By understanding the pros and cons of modular homes, you are prepared to make a conscious decision. If you opt for modular houses, be sure to check our modular home floorplans and see what the house of your dreams could look like.

We also recommend reading: Creating Affordable Energy-Efficient Housing Through Modular Building

Pros & Cons of Prefab Homes

There are essentially two different options on the table if you're thinking of taking on the challenge of building your own home. First, building from the ground up as a "stick-built" home, and second, ordering a prefabricated, or modular home to be assembled on site. There are both pros and cons to opting for prefab homes. Knowing these pros and cons can help potential homeowners decide what will best fit their budget, their circumstances, and the long-term livability of the home. We'll take a closer look at several of the pros and cons of prefab homes below. 

Table of Contents

1. Benefit #1: Affordability
2. Benefit #2: Energy Efficiency
3. Benefit #3: Relatively Fast Construction Process and No Waste
4. Drawback #1: Transportation and Assembly Factors
5. Drawback #2: You Have to Buy the Land
6. Drawback #3: Utility Hook Up and Other Hidden Costs

Benefit #1: Affordability

A home built on-site, known as a "stick-built" home, is usually about twice as expensive as prefabricated homes. On-site construction generally wastes much more materials that go into the building of the house. Considering that over 500 million tons of construction and demolition debris are generated annually in the United States alone, finding ways to cut back on that waste is good for the environment and your wallet. 

Besides being cheaper because of more efficient use of materials, prefab homes cut costs because they need fewer construction laborers on-site to help assemble the house. 

Benefit #2: Energy Efficiency

Secondly, prefab homes can save you money during the years you live in these homes because their designs generally have energy efficiency in mind. Because a prefab house's individual parts adhere to strict design guidelines, the seams in these homes are usually airtight. This standardized air-tightness helps to avoid leaks and airflows that can increase the energetic and economic cost of heating and cooling your home.

Benefit #3: Relatively Fast Construction Process and No Waste

The pieces of a prefab home, be it modular prefab or panelized prefab, are assembled off-site. So, the actual time needed to attach the parts on-site is considerably shorter than the time required to build a regular stick-built home. If you have a tight timeline and want to get into your new home on time, prefab homes are usually the quickest type of new home construction available to homeowners. 

Drawback #1: Transportation and Assembly Factors

Depending on where you live, the cost of transporting the different parts of your future home can become expensive. If you live "off the beaten path," transportation companies might very well charge you a hefty fee to get all the parts of your home to the construction site. 

It is important to note that if you haven't hired a contractor with experience assembling the specific model of prefab home you've chosen, you always run the risk of faulty assembly. This could lead to joint failure, leaks, and other issues. If your contractor doesn't have the correct equipment on hand, the different modules or panels of the prefab home run the risk of being damaged during the delivery and assembly process.