The Difference between Site Built Homes, Modular Homes and Pre Manufactured Homes

When buying a home, it’s important to do as much research as possible on certain details like location, financing and the type of house you want to buy. If you are seriously considering buying a home for the first time, it can be good to start with the basics like making sure you understand all of terms used to discuss different types of home. For example, there are a number of homebuyers who are still confused with the difference between modular homes and manufactured homes. While this probably won’t cause serious problems for most homebuyers, it is still good to understand these terms so you have a clear idea of your options.

Site Built Home

Also known a stick-built home, site built homes are constructed entirely at the building site. This type of house is the most common and conforms to the local, state and regional codes governing the location of the site. The value of the house usually appreciates over time which depends mainly on the location and preservation of the house.

Modular Homes

Modular homes are built in parts or sections in an environmentally controlled factory and then shipped to the building site for assembly by local contractors. The modular home assembly process is strictly monitored by local building inspectors to ensure that it is done properly and that the structure meets local and state requirements. Modular homes are quickly becoming popular because the speed of fabricating and assembly process allows you to move into a new home much faster than site built construction. They are also considerably less expensive than site built homes per square foot. A properly built modular home can last as long as a comparable site built homes and also will appreciate in value over time.

Pre Manufactured Homes Manufactured homes are often referred to as mobile homes or trailer homes. Improvements like customization and style options for this type of home can greatly enhance its appeal to homebuyers. Like the modular home, manufactured houses are made in parts or sections in factories and are built on non-removable steel chassis. The finished sections are then transported to the building site, where they will be assembled. The individual sections of the manufactured house however, are not put in permanent foundations so refinancing could be quite difficult, and they tend to depreciate over time as a result. The selling point of manufactured homes is the price because they are significantly less expensive than modular and site built homes.

Another important distinction of manufactured homes is that they are governed by a separate building standard set out in the Federal Construction Safety Standards Acts (HUD/CODE). This standard requires for the construction of manufactured homes on a non-removable steel chassis. Modular and site built homes on the other hand are governed by the specific building code of the locality or state where the building site is located. This distinction in building standards is significant because it means that communities across America can impose restrictions on manufactured homes in terms of where they can be located. Site built and modular cabins or homes on the other hand, are not restricted by zoning or building regulations.