When choosing your next home, there are a number of practical considerations that you will need to think about. These include price, adaptability, durability, and safety, to name just a few. All of these questions can be addressed when choosing the type of build for your next home. Central to these questions is whether to choose a traditional, on-site home or a so-called “modular home”.
Modular homes, also known as prefab homes, are homes that have been assembled in a factory and then simply lifted into place on a plot of land. They are not built on-site from scratch and instead are made up of a number of prefabricated parts. The simplicity and affordability of modern modular homes have led to an explosion in their popularity in recent years. Read on to find out the pros and cons of a modular home and see if it is the right choice for you.
Pros of Modular Homes
The reasons modular homes are becoming increasingly popular are multiple and varied. These include:
Affordability
When asking, “How much are modular homes?” there is no straight answer. Small modular homes can cost just a few thousand dollars, while larger ones can easily exceed six figures.
However, one thing that is certain is that modular homes are always cheaper than more traditional builds. If the price tag is a major factor for you, consider the fact that modular home prices are nearly always lower.
Flexibility
Modular homes are built in factories in parts. This allows for every single aspect of the home to be designed in minute detail. If you commission a modular home, there is virtually no aspect of the home that can’t be customized to your exact tastes and needs.
Furthermore, the prefab nature of modular homes means that can easily be added to or “edited” at any point while you are living there.
With the right cribbing construction, you can easily improve certain areas later on. This means that the design of your home can continue to evolve with you and your family’s needs.
Speed of Construction
As this expert guide to custom homes vs. modular homes explains, a modular home can be built in a factory in just a couple of months. An on-site home can take years to build in comparison. Once the factory has the modular homes floor plan, they can immediately get to work building the property in a dry, weatherproof, and controlled environment.
Cons of Modular Homes
That being said, modular homes have disadvantages compared to more traditional builds. These include:
Lifespan
There is no denying that modular homes tend to not last as long as traditional bricks-and-mortar homes. Of course, this depends, as traditional homes are more susceptible to problems such as rot. However, modular homes tend to last a few decades at most, while other home types can easily last more than 100 years.
Costly Extras
While a modular home is cheap to buy, the extras may end up costing you dearly. When buying a traditional property, you get things such as plumbing, a driveway, landscaping, and cosmetic touches thrown in with the property. With a modular home, you will have to pay for everything that you need, as well as the actual building.
Heating
Finally, it is worth noting that, as a general rule, modular homes are not as good at retaining heat as some traditional types of homes. This can often be remedied with additional renovations. However, those living in colder climates should keep this in mind when shopping for modular homes.
Your Housing Questions, Answered Understanding the pros and cons of modular homes is just one way to make smarter housing choices in the future. For more essential advice and information about the rapidly changing housing market, we have got you covered. In our Design section, you will find expert advice on all of the housing questions that you may have.
