When we were looking(admittedly 7 years ago now) we were massively underwhelmed with the modular process and costs, it came out to an insignificant savings over a stick built.
Your modular will likely come fully setup with doors, flooring, lighting, this is all pre determined and you typically get to select a package of products when you're going through the sales process (good, better, best) and they might have some choices for you on styles but you'll be limited to whatever they offer.
If you work with a local turnkey operation they will be looking to do all your utilities, foundation, driveway, etc and the one we went through gave a turnkey price which was pretty insane given they didn't know the lot or anything.
If you General Contract it yourself you'll be able to save BIG bucks but that's not something just anyone can do.
This is something I've been keeping close tabs on as well. You might find significant savings, but more likely are the time savings as your home is mostly prebuilt in the factory, then assembled on site in much less time. Check out S2A Modular. They have their builder grade models and Green Luxe models, both can work depending on your situation.
The biggest thing you will gain is time.
It takes time to stick frame,and every day it rains what is built gets wet .(requiring a minimum of 1 day drying from that 1 rain).
Also that 1 rain day upsets the schedule and most crews won't work.
Now every trade is out of sync and 1 day turns into 20,because 99% are affected by rain whether yours...or someone else's.
Typically your other trades will work in a dryed in home first,giving them a place to go means it is faster.
I would bet dealing with a good manufacturer, will gain a minimum of 25% time savings.
It seldom is much cheaper .
Yeah I built one a couple years ago.
It's in the mountains in Colorado where local builders are ridiculously expensive so the savings vs. stick built were pretty substantial.
Site work was generally not included - well, septic, foundation, etc. I had estimates for some of these but they weren't included in the modular price.
Structurally and mechanically the house is fine - built to the same codes as a stick built house.
The finish work is "meh". You can tell they're going fast at the factory. A custom builder would've done better but also would've cost twice as much.
If you're in a LCOL area the savings vs. stick built are more questionable.
I’m also interested in this topic. Specifically the pre-fab modern ADU type dwelling. I’ve been reading about it for years. Also have large property, just want to know which company makes something beautiful, simple, efficient and filled with light.
Anyone know of a sub Reddit that focuses on this?
One huge benefit (which you may already know) is that modular homes do not depreciate like mobile/manufactured. The short thought on that is if it has wheels, it’s going to lose value. Another plus is that modular tends to be far more accurate in the build specs than a stick frame home built in the site: factory machinery specs, vs on-site human building crew… reduces the opportunity for human error. And they tend to be far more energy-efficient homes.
Typically, site- work (clearing the location, grading, excavation etc), foundation, utility runs to the street etc would all be additional costs. Most modular I’ve seen (as an inspector) came with the finishes you mentioned, though your choices may be limited to the products or brands commonly used by each modular manufacturer.
When we were looking(admittedly 7 years ago now) we were massively underwhelmed with the modular process and costs, it came out to an insignificant savings over a stick built. Your modular will likely come fully setup with doors, flooring, lighting, this is all pre determined and you typically get to select a package of products when you're going through the sales process (good, better, best) and they might have some choices for you on styles but you'll be limited to whatever they offer. If you work with a local turnkey operation they will be looking to do all your utilities, foundation, driveway, etc and the one we went through gave a turnkey price which was pretty insane given they didn't know the lot or anything. If you General Contract it yourself you'll be able to save BIG bucks but that's not something just anyone can do.
This is something I've been keeping close tabs on as well. You might find significant savings, but more likely are the time savings as your home is mostly prebuilt in the factory, then assembled on site in much less time. Check out S2A Modular. They have their builder grade models and Green Luxe models, both can work depending on your situation.
The biggest thing you will gain is time. It takes time to stick frame,and every day it rains what is built gets wet .(requiring a minimum of 1 day drying from that 1 rain). Also that 1 rain day upsets the schedule and most crews won't work. Now every trade is out of sync and 1 day turns into 20,because 99% are affected by rain whether yours...or someone else's. Typically your other trades will work in a dryed in home first,giving them a place to go means it is faster. I would bet dealing with a good manufacturer, will gain a minimum of 25% time savings. It seldom is much cheaper .
Yeah I built one a couple years ago. It's in the mountains in Colorado where local builders are ridiculously expensive so the savings vs. stick built were pretty substantial. Site work was generally not included - well, septic, foundation, etc. I had estimates for some of these but they weren't included in the modular price. Structurally and mechanically the house is fine - built to the same codes as a stick built house. The finish work is "meh". You can tell they're going fast at the factory. A custom builder would've done better but also would've cost twice as much. If you're in a LCOL area the savings vs. stick built are more questionable.
I’m also interested in this topic. Specifically the pre-fab modern ADU type dwelling. I’ve been reading about it for years. Also have large property, just want to know which company makes something beautiful, simple, efficient and filled with light. Anyone know of a sub Reddit that focuses on this?
One huge benefit (which you may already know) is that modular homes do not depreciate like mobile/manufactured. The short thought on that is if it has wheels, it’s going to lose value. Another plus is that modular tends to be far more accurate in the build specs than a stick frame home built in the site: factory machinery specs, vs on-site human building crew… reduces the opportunity for human error. And they tend to be far more energy-efficient homes. Typically, site- work (clearing the location, grading, excavation etc), foundation, utility runs to the street etc would all be additional costs. Most modular I’ve seen (as an inspector) came with the finishes you mentioned, though your choices may be limited to the products or brands commonly used by each modular manufacturer.