Modular homes can be confusing at first because there are many different names for them. They are labeled prefabricated, modular, prefab, and even incorrectly called manufactured. Putting names aside, what is a modular home? Is it different from a traditionally built home? Yes. There are quite a few differences between these two types of homes that are important for every prospective homeowner to know.
Their planning stages are often different. With traditional homes a prospective homeowner may need to draft plans with an independent architect or possibly pick a style from a book. Modular homes are usually planned with the company that will build the home. Some companies, such as Irontown homes, will work with customers during every step of the planning process to create plans that fit the customer’s style while remaining functional.
When the building process begins the two types of homes split even more. Modular homes are built inside a factory while traditional homes are built at the construction site. Factories will often use an assembly line style process to build a home, but Irontown Homes approaches the building process differently. We give each home a designated space where it is built instead of passing it along a line. This process is more efficient than an assembly line, so construction time is reduced.
It usually takes eight to ten weeks to build a modular home once the planning process is completed. A traditional home can take several months to complete due to unforeseen delays. Modular homes do not have this problem because the environment they are built in is controlled. The temperature is controlled to keep the quality materials in their original state. Building inside also protects the construction area from the elements, so there are no delays due to weather. Traditional homes are at the mercy of the environment and subject to quite a few delays. These delays may range from weather to waiting for materials. Having a shorter building process also means a modular home will be less expensive, because a customer will use less of their construction loan.
Once a modular home is completed it is then transported in pieces to the construction site. At the site the home will be put together on the foundation. With Irontown Homes the foundation will already be laid, so the assembly can start immediately. Also, Irontown Homes does all the assembly on site, instead of simply dropping it off, to ensure consistency and quality workmanship.
Building a modular home is convenient for the customer because they have less to worry about. Construction sites get messy with garbage. With a modular home all the garbage is taken care of at the factory. Traditional homes sometimes require prospective homeowners to deal with extra services, such as a dumpster service.
Modular homes are often built to be smaller than a traditional home, but this does not happen all the time. Irontown Homes builds homes in a range of sizes to meet the needs of each customer. We build smaller homes, including a home that was 300 square feet, and we also build large multimillion dollar homes. Our most recent large project is a custom home in Beverly Hills.
There are other differences between modular homes and traditional homes, but they are much smaller. These two types of homes are built very differently and each method will produce a functional home. However, modular homes do tend to have more benefits than negative qualities. They are different from the traditional home building process, but their difference is a homeowner’s gain.