Essentially, prefab homes are manufactured in a factory before being delivered in parts to a construction site, where in a matter of days. They are then installed on-site. Prefab home producers rate their homes as cheaper, more sustainable, and faster than conventional homes to create.
Different types of prefab homes
There are several kinds of prefab homes since prefab refers to the construction method, not a particular type.
Modular homes: All the modular homes have a sleek, minimalist, boxy look. According to the predetermined building plans, the modules are designed in squares or rectangles that are either stacked or arranged on site. However, some modular constructions are paired with panelized walls or roofing, which turns the boxy appearance into almost any home style.
Panelized Homes: Panelized homes can be designed according to the home buyer’s choice in almost any design or aesthetic. Since the houses are designed in panels, with few restrictions, they can be installed on-site in various home designs.
Pre-Cut Homes: Pre-cut homes are often a particular aesthetic, especially considering dome homes and log cabin kits. Depending on the package you want, these aesthetics differ. Currently, there is an extensive range of aesthetics to choose from.
Many modular home manufacturers are so skilled in building all kinds of prefab homes and deliver them to you on time. Here are something you should expect when you prefer prefab homes.
Prefabs are quicker to build
It might take three to four months to build and get it ready for move-in, depending on the house’s complexity. Constructing a stick-built house takes about nine months to a year from start to finish. In a factory, where the weather won’t delay the operation, home modules are installed and inspected. Then the modules are transported to the final site of construction. The final assembly of those components at the site takes about three days. It can take several weeks for additional site work—including electrical and plumbing hookups, driveway paving, landscaping grading, etc.
For your modular house, you can pay more than just the base price.
The base price of a modular home usually involves construction, transport of the components to the final building site, and placing the home on its foundation for manufacturers selling preset home plans. Buyers can change the builder’s preset design—say, you want hardwood floors instead of carpet in the home—at additional costs.
Modular homes can be unexpectedly durable
The combination of the units from module to module seems to have created an intrinsically rigid framework that has performed much better than standard residential framing. In severe weather conditions, prefabs will hold up better than typical stick-built structures.
Your modular home can be remodeled
If you plan to invest in your dream bathroom or kitchen, there’s nothing that would prevent a home from being reconfigured simply because it’s modular construction. You need to account for the structural support and layout, just like a stick-built home. Prefab homeowners looking to remodel should let their contractors know early that they have a modular home because there may be some smart home.
Moreover, there are a lot of advantages of prefab homes. To create a highly energy-efficient place that can minimize ongoing electricity costs, the way prefab structures are designed, the materials they use, and the airtight construction combine are energy efficient.
