Do We Have Any Guys Who Build

747

Do we have any guys who build modular homes I have seen some you can't tell they are modular when they are two stories high.

DaveH

I have been involved with a couple modulars. 1 was a wall and roof package that came on a couple flat beds. It went alright once we adjusted the whole foundation because the "factory" messed up the over-all dimensions. The other was pretty much all assembled in to halves. Either way I can spot a modular from a mile away with sunglasses on in rainstorm. Don't like em'

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maj

Don't build 'em, but sure do fix alot of 'em.

You couldn't pay me to get a new modular home !! Who wants their home cruising down the highway at 55 mph !!

I have replaced shingles & siding because it's all stapled on. I have adjusted doors & trim. I have disassembled & reassembled cabinets & countertops.

Worst part is,at least in my area, we can site build the exact same house for the same money. Yet peoples ignorance allow them to make these poor decisions. That and the fact that these companies obviously have a good sales staff, which in my opinion is BS.

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Brickie

I've done all the masonry work for them. I definitely can spot them a mile away. I wouldn't buy one.

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john haddad

Talk about a BS comment. you must be living in a low end market. Yes, I sell modular homes.

The comments concerning adjusting a few doors, fixing some shingles, etc is nominal compared to the number of daily repairs and "fixes" with a site built home.

The comment about not wanting a house that travels down the road at 55 mph busted my gut as well. Most of the time the drivers go much faster. I would want a house that can take abuse. I personally use the delivery as a testament to the toughness and durabiltiy of a modular home. One other thing - we also pick them up with a crane that exerts huge pressures on the structure. That is why modular homes are over built. - 10 to 20% more wood for the structure.

Another comment: modualar homes and panelized homes are not the same - the only similarities are they both system built in a factory, both are homes, both rely on square and plumb foundations, and rely on people to finish them out (modulars are upto 90% complete compared to around 5% complete with building panels).

Take a look at my website: http://modularhomeplace.com/index_files/page0002.htm and tell me if all of these designs are modular a mile a way.

mdshunk

I've built services and did the ancillary wiring for a great deal of modular homes. There is a great disparity in quality, for sure. The one's John sells (he's in my market area) are very, very, very nice ones. I can assure you that you would need to walk around inside one and do an inspection to even get a hint that is was a modular. Some modulars are just a notch better than the old trailer homes.

Teetorbilt

I don't do them either but here they have to meet higher standards than stick-built due to their previous bad rep. with hurricanes.

They still carry their legacy with them though. The guy behind me has had his listed for a year (cheap) with few walk-throughs.

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Mike Finley

Sure looks like a modular to me! NOT

Nice site John, welcome aboard, always nice to see somebody who is breaking the mold and smashing the stereotypes of those of us stuck in our ways.

I'm going to be building a vacation home on some lake property we own, I have teetered back and forth between stick built, panalized and modular, the stick built would be a nice educational project for me, the modular without consideration of the obvious time advantages is also appealing because this is a remote location and tradesman are scarce and will really be an issue when you have one choice for your electrician and oh yeah he's the framer too, oh and the roofer and he pumps gas during the week.

Teetorbilt

HAY! Watch how you use that 'teeter' word!

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

RobertCDF

When I first saw that pic I thought it said the "cheapskate"...

BTW what area you building in Mike?

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

Glasshousebltr

Around here we don't say "build a modular", we say "set a modular" After all, isn't that whats going on?

No offence John John, but I've had modular for diner hundreds of times and no matter how I cook or cut it, the salads the only thing that comes out solid. Way too much gets covered up by the bathroom sneaking dope smoking factory worker.

Now I know this may not be the case with your units John, however there is another point to ponder. In the field as a stick builder we have the ability to make necessary changes to insure better stability missed by the pencil pushers. Something as simple as fastener location can create or prevent future problems.

Above someone made a statement about normal adjustments needed for stick as well as modular. Doors and such. Here I beg to differ. If stick is built right it will out last modular no hands down.

Then again....I might just be full of crap and this may be my soiled attempt to wipe and pitch it in this ceramic bowl.....who knows?

Bob

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Bob

jmic

We're under contract to build a 12,000 plus sq. ft. house in Greenwich, will be 22 boxes and I can assure you you won,t be able to tell that it's a modular. Most of the homes we do are in the 3500 - 5000 Sq. ft. range and again put them in any neighborhood and they fit right in with other homes. I'll post some pics when it's started.

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Joe

tgeb

Post some pics when it's finished too, Joe.

I too have seen some mods that you can spot "a mile away" and others that simply look great.

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Tom

www.gebcon.com

Mike Finley

Yeah, I thought the same thing.

Lake McConaughy, Neb.

john haddad

Bobby, we build them in the factory and set them at the job site. You got it half right.

Dope smoking and drinking never goes on in the field does it Mr. Bob? Sounds like a nasty projection to me. As for duraibility, what is making your homes more durable?

Bobby, you stated modulars are set - set, being lifted by a crane and placed on a foundation speaks for itself as to needed stability. The changes that are made in the field are also known as change orders or should I say ABP (additional builder profit).

What are your general specs? How do they beat a modular hands down.

Here is our standard specs http://modularhomeplace.com/index_files/page0053.htm

We are more than happy to accomodate almost any upgrade in materials as long as the customer is willing to pay for it.

Most factories would be happy to build to your spec.

By the way your remodeling jobs and additons look great. I can see that you take great attention to detail. I loved your steps...very cool!

john haddad

Bobby, my wife is from the midwest and pointed out that you might not know the difference between modular and manufactured. Or you might not be familiar with the versatility that is offered.

Here is a comercial modular unit for you.

http://www.deluxehomes.com/mfdetails...&id=11&idStr=0

modular homes are not trailers.

747

John explain to me how it works for the homeowner. Is the homeowner responsible for hiring a foundation contractor to set the foundation or do you handle that. Also can a person go with a full finished basement or do they have to be set for crawl space?

Ps I think the chesapeake has a great floor plan Michael and Robert.

john haddad

To make it simple,

The builder/homeowner is responsible for the foundation (either crawl or full basement)

interior button up - primarily drywall transversing marriage walls and some crack repairs at openings.

Exterior button up - siding, porches decks and garages


All I do is have the unit set on the wall.

Email me if you have any other questions.

Glasshousebltr

I think I'm pretty sure of the difference.

A modular is a finished shell set in two our more units.

A SIP is dual skinned wall, roof and floor panels.

Prefab is wall siding and windows installed in sections.

Trailers are where ya find the foxy women.

Bob

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Bob

Mike Finley

I think this issue of what modular is is always the problem with this subject. There is a slight gray area of description that people trip over that makes it so confusing.

I always think of codes as defining the difference in the type of building you are talking about.

Everybody is pretty clear on "stick built" or site built homes, they are constructed entirely at the building site, they conform to local codes where the house is located, they are well-built and increase in value over time.

Modular homes are built in sections at a factory, they too conform to the local codes of their final destination, and are joined together by local contractors, they are usually less expensive per square foot than site built houses. Quality is the same or higher and they will increase in value over time.

Manufactured houses are also built in a factory, but they conform to the HUD code, which is a federal building code rather than local codes. The sections of a manufactured home are built on non-removable steel chassis, and they also have their own wheels attached to each section. These homes are also joined using local contractors, these homes are almost always less expensive then site built and modular homes, and they usually depreciate in value over time.

Most people consider modular to mean boxes of a predetermined design like a manufactured HUD home. When the modular builder excepts outside floor plans and will build to those specs he crosses the line into the realm of what people consider panelized construction or SIPS which is built the same way - in a factory, but delivered in panels instead of completed boxes.