•First and foremost, because people associate them with Trailers, Low Income and Poor Quality and workmanship.



•Secondly – Consumer education. While the modular home builder’s do an excellent job of educating the consumer with web sites and literature, they only get to tell their story to those that are interested!

The fact is there is nothing further from the truth! The terms modular home and quality are synonymous. They are ‘Manufactured’ indoors, in an environmentally controlled factory. They are computer designed, making all of the components fit perfectly, and at a greatly reduced cost, because the modular home builder can take advantage of ‘bulk’ buying.

They are much stronger than the majority of site built homes as well. Let’s ponder this thought for a moment. When a modular home is completed at the factory, it is crane lifted onto a trailer, then transported to your home site, then crane lifted again, and set into place. Can you imagine what would happen to a site built home if you tried to lift any part of it with a crane?

The bottom line is that you can get a better quality home for less money! That would seem to be a ‘No-Brainer’ wouldn’t it? But it’s not! Because people still have the stigma of ‘Cheap’!

You owe it to yourself and your pocketbook to research modular homes. You can truly get the home of your dreams that will last you a lifetime, for less money than a site built home.

Do your research and it will pay off in huge savings and reward you with great satisfaction.

1. Research the manufacturer’s reputation. Find out if they are new to the business or been around for a while. Compare apples to apples when comparing products. Visit the factory if possible. Look at their product on line, then visit their model homes.

2. Research the builder. You will need a local builder, working with the manufacturer, to handle all the on-site work such as excavating and pouring the basement, preparing and completing work on the lot (grading, walkways, driveway), surveying and selecting the placement of the house on the lot, and finishing whatever wasn’t done at the factory (some trim, painting, etc.). Get references from your builder from their customers and suppliers, and check them out. You need to know whether a builder provides quality workmanship, is financially stabile and reliable.

3. Be thorough in the planning stage. Take your time to learn everything you need to about windows, doors, counter tops, etc. Visit building centers, kitchen designers, and so on, so that you can make an informed decision about each item that you choose, as you design your new home. Go over the floor plan carefully, to make sure the sizes and locations of the rooms, placement of windows, height of ceilings, etc., are exactly what you want.

You can save up to 30% percent by buying a modular home rather than a stick-built home. You can also save a lot of time. Modular homes are completed and ready to move in months ahead of site built homes. Modular homes are no different than anything else when it comes to shopping, there are some better than others! You have to do your homework. I suggest a shopping checklist. Write down what’s important to you. Make notes on each manufacturer. Choosing the best manufacturer and the right builder are paramount to your success.

Author; Bob Lindner

http://www.prefab-home-buying-guide.com