Manufactured and modular home costs are generally lower than those of similar-sized traditional homes. This situation is mainly attributable to a faster, more efficient building process.
Unlike stick-built houses, their construction isn’t affected by weather conditions and other circumstances. If you’re planning on buying one, you’ll have to consider the following factors:
1. Size
As with stick-built houses, the bigger your preferred home is, the more you’ll pay for it. Increased square footage requires more construction materials, labor, and design considerations.
Single-wide homes are the smallest sizes available, with most only accommodating up to 4 rooms. They’re more suitable for single persons or small families.
Manufactured and modular home costs are higher for double-wides and triple-wides. A double-wide home is made of two parts joined together. Other than increased square footage, they offer more comfort and customization options.
Triple-wides are also known as three-section homes and are the most spacious of the three. They’re your best bet if you want a house with up to 6 bedrooms and over 3000 square feet. You’ll have more space to enjoy your lifestyle and add amenities.
2. Design and Customization
Three main customization options affect manufactured and modular home costs. The first one concerns the interior and includes fireplaces, entryways, countertops, flooring, and stairs.
The second involves exterior customizations. Examples include siding upgrades, roof pitch, porches, driveways, garages, decks, and basic landscaping. Other than improving your home’s aesthetic appeal, exterior upgrades also make them more durable.
The third type of customization involves energy-efficient upgrades. They include higher-quality insulation, as well as LED and solar-powered lighting. More companies in America have standard versions of manufactured and modular homes for fixed prices. The cost rises depending on the design and customization upgrades you choose.
While modular home companies have a wide variety of designs, they allow customers to suggest custom floorplans. This convenience gives modular homes the same aesthetic versatility as site-built homes.
3. Delivery and Setup
Modular home costs include free delivery within a certain radius. The further you are out of this range, the more it will cost to transport the house. If the route to your installation site is hard to navigate, you might have to consider alternative arrangements.
You might have to pay for insurance to protect against any loss from damage incurred during delivery. Depending on the contract you sign, you might also have to pay extra to set up your new home. The more customization options it has, the more contractors you might have to hire for a successful installation.
4. Taxes and Insurance
Taxes range depending on your state. Modular homes generally receive similar treatment to stick-built homes. In most states, you must pay personal property taxes on your home if it doesn’t sit on a permanent foundation.
Contact the county treasurer if you’re unsure of your manufactured home’s tax status. If you’re installing it in a lot, the management will provide a more natural breakdown of the costs involved.
It’s advisable to buy insurance cover for your investment. Standard home insurance and car insurance policies don’t cover the transportation of your new home to its installation site.
To avoid damage during delivery, you might have to contact an insurance representative who specializes in manufactured homes. Types of coverage include:
- Mobile home liability. This plan protects you against lawsuits should a visitor get injured on your property or if you damage another person’s home.
- Property damage. It covers any damage that requires substantial repairs.
- Personal property. It protects you against loss or damage to your belongings caused by fire, burglary, and extreme weather.
5. Utilities
Once delivery and placement are complete, the next step will be to hook your new home to utilities. These include water, electricity, sewage, internet, and cable services. Depending on factors such as contractors’ fees and the extent, manufactured and modular home costs will rise.
Your location also determines the overall price of your investment. Various localities have differing utility costs. If your manufactured home is in a lot, the community may handle some of the utility hookup costs.
6. Site Prep
If you own the land that hosts your modular home, you’ll spend more on various site preparations. This process includes surveying, leveling, constructing a foundation or crawl space, and making preparations for utility connections. The first step is to pay for a site inspection.
If the survey report indicates your land is suitable for a manufactured home, you may apply for relevant permits. They include transport, building, occupancy, and utility permits. Since site prep involves several activities, you may have to approach various contractors.
Other than leveling the lot to ensure smooth placement, it would help if you also marked its boundaries. The accuracy will give you an idea of how much extra space you’ll have for additions such as driveways. If you want a foundation, it’s advisable to construct it before your modular home is delivered.
This convenience is one advantage of factory-built houses. You save time because you prepare the foundation while we’re assembling the house. The cost of utility connections will depend on how close your site is to city services.
There are various checklists you can follow to ensure your site preparation complies with the law. They include zoning regulations, local government resources, and HUD requirements.
While these steps might appear complex on paper, they’re easy to follow and implement. Most of the companies will guide you through the entire process, from ordering to the occupation. If they can’t provide some of these essential services, they should recommend professional contractors with a track record of excellence.
