by Kristy Annely

Modular homes are those created and assembled in factories or a remote space away from the building site. Literally, homes are manufactured and assembled according to the wish of the customer before they are shipped by trucks to the site, where they are crane-set to a preset foundation.

Modular home manufacturers offer a great deal of advantages compared to the usual site-built homes. The whole manufacturing and assembly unit is located indoors far from the ravages of climate and weather. So the assembly of the best quality components is possible without causing any damage or scratching.

The modular manufacturing unit is also able to source the components of the highest quality and top-branded commodities, because they have a separate purchase department that buys these materials in bulk from suppliers at low costs. Bulk buying reduces costs substantially.

There are considerable savings in labor costs also. A site-built home employs many contractors, subcontractors, masons, laborers, etc. But for modular homes, the components are assembled on the shop floor, as in a production assembly line, overseen by a few specialized and highly skilled workers. In comparison, site-built houses hire a large pool of unskilled labor and incur high costs.

Modular homes are built according to local, regional and state codes. This is especially useful in places like earthquake-prone areas where buildings have safety regulations.

Manufacturers of modular homes also promise considerable time savings. It takes thirty to ninety days to manufacture a modular home, compared to four to nine months for a site built construction. The increased efficiency of construction results in greater value for homeowners. They are able to make a twenty- to forty-percent reduction in cost savings, and in half the time. The combination of reduced time, efficient construction, easy customization and lack of skilled labor is making modular or system construction more and more popular every day.

The first task for a prospective customer is to select a modular home manufacturer. The majority of manufacturers are located on the East Coast and may ship only to selected places. It is a wise decision to consult local builders about the manufacturer.

After a manufacturer and a local builder have been decided upon, it is time to choose a floor plan. When these decisions have been made and an initial contract is signed, the manufacturer's professional staff will oversee the plans, and factory production rolls on. Once the manufacturing has begun, it will finish within a few days' time. The modular home is then shipped to the site on flat bed trucks. The units are placed on the preset foundation by a crane and fastened together.

Though it may take one more week of tinkering by plumbers and electricians, your new modular home is ready by an average of three months. Compare that to six months to an entire year for a site built house!

Modular Homes provides detailed information on Modular Homes, Modular Home Prices, Modular Home Manufacturers, Modular Home Builders and more. Modular Homes is affliated with Concrete Modular Buildings.