The Modular Process

Modular homes and buildings are constructed out of many assembled cubicles, called modular sections or modular boxes. These modular sections are constructed off-site, transported to the building parcel, and built into a finished home. As our video shows, the everyday house or commercial building can be constructed by simply stacking and manipulating modular sections. Instead of building these sections on land, the sections are built in a state-of-the-art factory and transported to the property.

Modular vs. Site-Built Properties

The framing, roofing, plumbing, cabinetry, interior finish, heating, air conditioning, and electric wiring are exactly what you would expect in a conventional site-built property. The significant difference is the location of construction. As its name suggests, site-built properties are built right on-site, exposing the material to inclement weather, vandalism, and other adverse conditions. In contrast, modular properties are constructed in climate-controlled facilities, which protects the materials from degradation.  The homes are then transported from the facility to the site, which requires modular companies to implement several different reinforcement measures (such as gluing and screwing of building material) to ensure sturdiness during travel.  Moreover, modular companies must comply with interstate building codes thereby resulting in stronger, higher quality properties.

The costs for modular construction are also lower than site-built construction for two main reasons: (1) building material is purchased in bulk and (2) construction is handled in an efficient, assembly-like manner. This translates into an average 20% savings for modular built properties.

Modular homes and commercial buildings can also be constructed in as little as 12 weeks.  This is because modular homes are built indoors using full-time indoor crews. Therefore, modular companies do not suffer the downsides of subcontractor no shows, bad weather, and other common time concerns.

The Future of Building

Modular construction is truly the future of building. Currently, all construction sites whether residential or commercial use pre-fabricated components. These components include: pre-hung doors, roof trusses, interior moldings, drywall, kitchen and bath cabinets, windows, heat sources, roof shingles, siding, fireplaces, flooring, and even room-by-room units. The only issue is how much actual work will be done at the site.

Pre-constructed homes have actually been fabricated in the United States since the 1880s. Several progressive builders began to improve upon this process around the mid-to-late twentieth century and continued to enhance the craft until there was no recognizable difference between site-built and modular properties.

Despite the overt benefits described above, many conventional companies are reluctant to learn and invest in alternative building methods because the savings would predominantly benefit the customer. If such companies do not know how to build modular homes, they will not inform customers about the inherent benefits. This has left an opportunity for seasoned builders to learn and hone the craft and show customers why modular construction is superior in design, build, and efficiency. Modular construction is now 25% of the building industry and continuously growing as consumers become more familiar with its benefits.

Email us to learn more about modular construction. For information about financing a modular home or commercial property, visit our Financing page.

Financing a Modular Home or Commercial Building

Obtaining a modular home mortgage or commercial loan is no different from financing any other type of home or commercial building. Lenders will consider the applicant’s individual credit strength and financial history by reviewing, among other things, your credit report and credit score. The interest rate, down payment and special terms will be based on this information and other lender-specific considerations.

If you are interested in purchasing a Modular Rising Home, you are free to use any mortgage broker offering modular financing. Modular Rising is also happy to assist you during this process. If you have any questions about financing a modular home or obtaining a modular commercial loan, please feel free to contact us anytime! 

Lenders

Mortgage Calculator

For your convenience, we have provided a Mortgage & Loan Calculator. The calculator estimates your down payment and interest rate based on purchase price and loan term. It also gives estimates for property taxes, property insurance, and PMI. We have also included a list of the current average U.S. mortgage rates.

Modular buildings have proven to be structurally superior to their stick-built counterparts. Modular structures can survive some of the most inclement weather, including hurricanes, tornadoes, tropical storms, etc. Here is an excerpt from the FEMA Building Performance Report based on observations during and after Hurricane Andrew.

Wood-Frame Modular Buildings

Overall, relatively minimal structural damage was noted in modular housing developments. The module-to-module combination of the units appears to have provided an inherently rigid system that performed much better than conventional residential framing. This was evident in both the transverse and longitudinal directions of the modular buildings.

…Connection of units provides inherent reinforcement to overall construction with doubled members.

…Short span of rafters contributes to increased overall structural stiffness.

…Structural integrity of individual units (necessary to resist lifting and transportation forces) ensures sound components for systems of connected units.

Figure 20 of the Report is a diagram showing the “[i]nherent structural strength of modular construction.”

View full excerpt here: FEMA – Hurricane Andrew Building Performance (modular extract)

Contact us to learn more about building a structurally sound home to last for generations. For coastal and water front locations, Modular Rising also builds custom, elevated stilt homes.