Here at Ludlow Engineering we are professional engineers who desire to take care of you as our clients. Being that we inspect FHA modular home foundations, we thought it may be fun to share a few articles that we have read. Enjoy!
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This is the second in a two-part series that answers many of the questions a typical prospective client asks when first beginning to understand the many benefits offered by modern, modular home building technology. Whereas the first article focused more on aesthetics, this article gets more into the technical issues of the home building process.
Q: Do I need to engage an architect to take advantage of this technology?
A: Not unless you wish to engage an architect for a specific purpose. Some discerning clients may engage an architect to assist with floor plan, exterior appearance or site elements that are neither designed nor built in the factory. However, most manufacturers employ a qualified engineer to seal the final building plans, eliminating the need for architectural construction drawings.
Q: I have been told a modular home frame contain nearly 30% more lumber than a conventional, site-built house. Please explain?
A: The components built within the factory must be built sufficiently strong to withstand the rigors of over-the-road transport to your home site, where they are lifted with a crane onto your foundation. This increased strength translates into a better constructed home for you.
Q: Are there other elements of the manufacturing process that creates a better constructed house than traditional site-built homes?
A: Yes. The engineering design and controls are key elements to the manufacturing process that are not available on a traditionally built home job site. The finished house from a quality manufacturer should have straighter walls and ceilings with less potential for visible signs of settling. Straighter walls with less likelihood to be affected by settling should also mean better functioning doors as your foundation settles. Certain manufacturers use a hi-tech method of securing the drywall to the studs to improve performance which minimizes settling nail pops. A quality manufacturer will employ a third party engineering firm to provide quality control checks throughout the manufacturing process.
Q: What are the energy efficiencies of modular housing compared to traditional, “site-built” construction?
A: Contemporary homes built with factory manufactured components generally enjoy a high efficiency rating from utility companies; air infiltration is minimized due to the engineering process. Some manufacturers build “green” with its design and construction process that saves energy and natural resources by minimizing waste and recycling materials. At least one known manufacturing plant is Energy Star certified to build its components and certify them in the factory as Energy Star qualified, only then requiring a HERS rater on-site to finalize the certification. The factory process has less of a negative environmental impact on the home site. A “green” modular home uses less energy, water and natural resources.
Q: Will my modular home be built and ready for occupancy any quicker than if I were to build with traditionally methods?
A: Yes, generally in half the time. The components for most homes are typically completed in the factory within seven days, ready for delivery to your site. Once the components are delivered and set at your site, a seasoned builder should be able to perform utility connections, exterior and interior finishes and related improvements to deliver your home “turn-key”, typically within 60 to 90 days. You should allow for additional time up-front to finalize your design and selections.
Q: Are modular homes subjected to municipal inspections?
A: Depending on your state and local requirements, your zoning, civil engineering and your building plans must generally be approved by the local municipality to secure a building permit, no different than traditional construction. Once your foundation is built, it must be approved by the local code official. During construction in the factory, the manufacturer employs a certified third-party inspector who will certify, upon completion, that your building components have been manufactured in accordance with the approved plans and conforms to all municipal and state code requirements. Once set on your foundation and finished to turn-key by your builder, a final inspection of your home will generally be required by the local code official.
Q: Can modular home components be utilized in an expansion project?
A: Possibly. An experienced builder can initially project floor plans and architectural styles for your expansion. However, your existing structure and its foundation must be certified by a structural engineer that it can support the manufactured components. Provided your engineer concludes affirmatively, you can be assured that your project, utilizing this technology, will be completed in less time and at a lower cost than conventional site-built construction, all other things being equal.
Q: If we have a small house and are considering building bigger, should we consider tearing it down and rebuilding with a new modular home?
A: In our experience, in many instances, a client would be better to consider demolishing and rebuilding for a number of reasons. Unless your existing home has some characteristics that you want to preserve, in most instances your existing house does not have the features many people desire with modern architecture. Notably, high ceilings, two-story ceiling heights, contemporary floor plans, functional basements that can accommodate 8 foot minimum finished ceiling height, and other modern features.
Q: Is a modular home difficult to finance?
A: No! Financing a well built modular home is no different than financing traditional construction. Residential lenders are all very well informed and, quite frankly find it appealing to finance a modular home. The construction lender knows that when it advances it first draw, the home is nearly complete, thereby minimizing any chance of the house not reaching completion. The same educated lenders also understand the superiority of construction utilizing this technology for home building.
