What Is A Modular Home?

A modular home is built in a factory and then

carried in sections by special trucks/cranes to a

building site where a local builder puts it together.

Modular Homes look like any other home.
Cutting edge building technology allows modular manufacturers to build any style of home from a simple 1,000 square foot ranch to a highly customized 6,000 square foot contemporary.

Modular Homes are not the same as "Manufactured Homes".
Modular Homes are constructed to the same state and local building codes and are subject to the same zoning regulations as site-built homes. In contrast, Manufactured Homes comply with the “Federal Construction Safety Standards Act” (HUD/CODE), which requires homes to be constructed on a non-removable steel frame. Some communities have restrictions on where manufactured homes can be located.

Modular Homes generally give greater value for your money.
When you add up all the labor, material and time savings inherent in the modular building process, you will find that the price of a modular home is generally lower than a site built home of comparable size. Plus you will keep saving money year after year, as your energy efficient home keeps your heating and cooling bills low.

Modular Homes are built better than site built homes.
To learn why modular homes are built better than site built homes, read below…

Modular Construction Methods…

Today’s modular homes are computer engineered to meet all national, state & local building standards. With hundreds of stock plans to start with, and the ability to computer generate unlimited variations, the design of your "dream home" is only limited to your imagination.

As with traditional building methods a modular home starts with its framework. Modular homes typically use 20% to 30% more material in the framing to insure a safe and secure trip to its destination. Most factories GLUE as well as nail or screw the components of the home together for a more solid assembly. Site built homes are not built to withstand the transportation, and are not as structurally sound by default.

Most modular homes are now built in a modern controlled environment using high quality materials. They are precision engineered for a lifetime of trouble-free structural durability. Quality control is maintained by constant inspection throughout the construction process.

In starting a modular home, great detail is given to the layout & strength of the floor, since this is what will carry the weight of the rest of the home. After the floor joist & sub-flooring are in place, the wall panels are put in place. The wall panels will already have the sheet rock on the inside. The electric & plumbing can be installed at the factory, or on the building site. After the wiring & piping is done, all nooks, crannies & crevices are sealed with insulation and the wall cavity is insulated.

Next comes the exterior sheathing, roofing & finished siding. Somewhere in the midst of all this the windows & doors, bath & kitchen fixtures, carpets, cabinets, and heating units are installed. Customers may choose to use local contractors for heating also. The completed product is then wrapped with a protective material for shipping, loaded on trailers and sent on its way to you. Of course this is an oversimplified description of the real workmanship and quality materials that go into each of these homes, but it gives you a basic idea of the technological advances in the modular home industry.

Factory Tour Slideshow!

Why buy a modular home?
	The best value for your money
	Modular homes are built in factories, and benefit from the assembly line production process. The factories buy huge quantities of lumber, sheet rock, carpet, paint, etc., they pay much less for each and can have large quantities delivered at one time. Labor is used with maximum efficiency, with skilled craftsman moving between workstations on the factory floor.
	The highest quality
	Modular homes are built in a modern controlled environment, and they are precision engineered for a lifetime of trouble-free structural durability. Quality control is maintained by constant inspection throughout the construction process. To insure a safe and secure trip to your property, modular homes are built especially well, using high quality materials. For example, there is typically 20% to 30% more lumber used in framing your home and most factories GLUE as well as nail or screw the components of the home together unlike most site builders.
	Peace of mind
	Buying a modular home gives you peace of mind - you won't have to worry about: "I need more money" The home owner's worst nightmare - the job's half finished and your builder tells you he's way over budget and needs more money or else he'll quit. Factory-built houses come at a guaranteed price, without cost overruns relating to the home. The vanishing builder Everyone knows someone who's had this problem - just don't let it happen to you. You don't want an unfinished house slowly rotting away in the rain. When you buy modular, you get your finished house product ready for installation. The pre-soaked house Maybe you like your jeans pre-washed, but you don't want your house to come that way! A site-built house open to the rain can cause your wood to warp or swell, problems you'll never get rid of in a lifetime of ownership. Modular houses are built in controlled environments under the factory roof and are shipped in weatherproofed wrapping. The unexpected uninspected house Often times you don't really know what quality you're getting with a site-built house. Modular homes are thoroughly checked out before they leave the factories. A quality control process provides 100% assurance that your home has been inspected for code compliance and workmanship. In-plant inspectors as well as independent inspection agencies inspect the home on behalf of your state & local government. Wisconsin requires that a State representative/inspector visit the factory and view your home during the building process.
	Speedy turnaround
	On the average, a home consisting of two sections will be built in the factory within a couple of weeks. Once your home is placed on its foundation, final completion takes two or three weeks. This schedule allows you to move more quickly, and knowing when you're new home will be ready helps you plan your move better. As site preparation work differs for each property, you should contact us here at Affordable Homes of Tomah Inc. for a more exact schedule for your home. We routinely send a representative out to your site to inspect it with you and let you know the best way for US to work together so everything can move as smoothly as possible.
	Lower home ownership costs
	Repair bills can really add up. Modular homes are built in a modern controlled environment using high quality materials. They are precision engineered for a lifetime of trouble-free structural durability. A well-built house is a home that is easier and less costly to maintain. Modular homes from Premier Homes of Tomah LLC come with a warranty from the manufacturer so major repairs are not a financial burden to the customer if still under the warranty period. There are warranties available from Premier Homes of Tomah LLC that are up to 10 years on a home’s structure, and 7 years on components. You may view the extended warranty information by CLICKING HERE.
	Greater energy efficiency
	Additional factory insulation and precision building techniques make the modular house a super efficient energy conservation home. Our modular homes here at Affordable Homes of Tomah Inc. are all Energy Starâ certified homes. For more details from Fuqua Homes about an Energy Starâ home’s advantages CLICK HERE. And of course this cost saving on your utility bills lasts every year you're living in the house. And it helps your resale value too!
	Design your own dream house
	Modular home manufacturers have many different design plans for you to choose from. You can even design your own house and the factory engineers will work with your builder to bring it to a reality.
	Mortgage lenders want your business
	Modular homes are becoming more popular and there are an increasing number of financial institutions eager to write new loans. We have several lenders we work with here at Premier Homes of Tomah LLC, or you can check with your local lender if you’d rather.
	Resale value
	From the outside your home might look just like a site built house, but after all those years, quality shows through. Modular homes are precision built at the factory and they're built to last. Your home requires less maintenance and your energy bills are lower than your neighbors. When you come to sell your home, you'll be glad it's a modular home!!
	The tenth reason
	A new home is the biggest expense of your life. Don't buy one without checking out all the alternatives. Find out why in some states one in four new homes are now modular homes. Contact Premier Homes of Tomah LLC and you can do your own research.

Modular Home Pricing Myths…

A word should be said about modular home pricing. It is not possible to give you specific prices since there is a great variance in site, transportation, labor, quality, and other costs from customer to customer and even site to site. Here are the 3 biggest myths and the truth that debunks them.


MYTH: Modular homes can be bought for a fraction of the price of a site built home

TRUTH: Although Modulars are often a solid bargain; you should not expect an unrealistic discount to other types of building. When you purchase your new modular home you are choosing unmatchable quality and speedy completion. If a modest savings accompanies those features you win in every way. As in any business you will find as many pricing policies, as you will builder/dealers. Be alert. Sometimes there are genuinely good buys, but watch out if it sounds too good to be true. We here at Affordable Homes of Tomah Inc. are PROUD members of the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau. When comparing dealerships of Modular homes, it is a good question to ask your sales representative if they are members of the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau.

MYTH: Small affordable modular homes are the best buy

TRUTH: Not necessarily so. Of course small modular homes are a great value. Generally they are priced competitively and are far superior in quality. However, as the home size increases the modular gains in cost efficiency. After all, the savings on a modular is on materials and labor. It logically follows that the bigger the house, the more materials and labor, the greater the savings.

MYTH: Modulars are more difficult or more expensive to finance

TRUTH: The myth couldn't be farther from the truth. The modular home is as financially sound as its site built sister. Some banks even specialize in and/or prefer modular lending.

Modular Home Site Work…

Site work is scheduled to be completed by the time your home is ready for shipment from the factory. The excavation must be cleared to the exact depth required for the type of foundation you have selected. Next, the footings must be placed and the foundation walls erected.

Exact measurements are one of the most important factors at this stage. Care must also be taken at this time to insure that provisions are made for the installation of utilities such as electric, water, and waste disposal. Schedules must be made to accommodate the time needed by each of the trades to complete their preliminary work.

When the big day arrives, the modules are delivered by trailer and placed on your foundation as pictured below. Once your home is placed on the foundation the additional finish work is usually completed in 2-3 weeks depending on the sub-contracted trades involved in the completion of your new home.

Modular Homes F A Q

What Is A Modular Home? A modular home is highly engineered. It is constructed in sections and put together by a builder on your building site. Modular homes are designed, engineered and built in a factory-controlled environment.

How Are Modular Homes Built?
The building process begins at the design phase. Most modular producers use state of the art computer aided design programs, which aid them in customizing floor plans and producing drawings, and material requirement lists. Once designed, the building process begins. This process is similar to what you've seen during the construction of houses in your neighborhood. The quality materials and care for detail, and the same building codes and standards are observed. As you can see, today's modular homes are models of efficiency and quality assurance.


How Long Does The Building Process Take?
Speed and consistent quality are two of the many advantages for choosing to choose modular housing. On the average, a home consisting of two sections will be built in the factory within a couple of weeks. Once the manufacturing process is complete, typically with interior finish right down to carpets and wall finish, the unit must he transported to your home site and placed on the foundation. Final completion is usually handled by a local builder or general contractor and includes connection of utilities to the home, and a short list of finish work. Normally the home is completed in two or three weeks.

What's The Difference Between a "Modular Home" and a "Manufactured Home"? Manufactured homes, sometimes referred to as mobile homes, are constructed to a different building code. This code, the “Federal Construction Safety Standards Act” (HUD/CODE), unlike conventional building codes, requires manufactured homes to be constructed on a non-removable steel frame. Some communities have restrictions on where manufactured homes can be located. Modular and site-built homes on the other hand, are constructed to the same building code required by your state, county, and specific locality and therefore are not restricted by building or zoning regulations. Your new modular home is inspected at the assembly plant during each phase of construction. Evidence of this inspection is normally shown by the application of a State or inspection agency label of approval.

What Do Modular Homes Look Like? Modular homes look like any site built home. Today's building technology has allowed modular manufacturers to build most any style of home from a simple ranch to a highly customized contemporary. And, it doesn't stop with houses. Modular producers are busy building banks, schools, office buildings, motels and hotels. Chances are you've been in many modular structures and probably never realized it.

Can I Design My Own Modular Home?
Yes. Most modular companies allow the customer complete design flexibility. But remember every manufacturer is different. Engineering capabilities and product specifications will vary from company to company.

Is A Modular Home Better Than A Site Built Home?

The decision is clear. With a modular home you get efficiency and quality control. Efficiency begins with modern factory assembly line techniques. Your home travels to workstations, with all the building trades represented. Work is never delayed by weather, subcontractor no-shows or missing material. Quality engineering and modular construction techniques significantly increase the energy efficiency of your modular home. A quality control process provides 100% assurance that your home has been inspected for code compliance and workmanship. In-plant inspectors as well as independent inspection agencies inspect the home on behalf of your state & local government.

Are Modular Homes Difficult To Finance or Insure?
There is no distinction between modular and site built homes as far as appraisal or financing. Banks and lending institutions treat both types of construction the same. Likewise, there is no difference in insuring the modular property.

What Do Modular Homes Cost?
When you add up all the labor, material and time savings inherent in the modular building process, you will find that the price of a modular home is generally lower than a site built home of comparable size. Plus you will keep saving money year after year, as your energy efficient home keeps your heating and cooling bills low.

A Review Of The Benefits Of Modular Construction.

Highly Engineered
Constructed In Climate Controlled Environment
Efficient Building Process & Material Usage
Energy Efficient
In-Plant Inspections
Consistent Quality
Speed Of Construction
Design Flexibility
Constructed To Meet Or Exceed Local Building Codes

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