Looking for informed opinions about modular housing

[Terrence Evans]

Hi all,

This is not my normal forum but I was curious if someone could give me insight into modular homes.  (Not mobile/manufactured homes)  I want to understand what the total costs and concerns are.  I am not a builder so I have that disadvantage but I am familiar with many of the pieces that go into a home.  I am an engineer so I can figure out the details.  The markets that I am interested in perhaps using modular homes are in S. California/Vegas and in Indiana.  So if you can give me some tips or resources / websites I can look at to educate myself that would be great.

[Mike Campbell]

Hello Terrence

I have found some interest in the modular homes area as well of late.

My reasons are. I build smaller house 1400, 1500 ,1600, in smaller towns, dont have to compete with the big boys that way. Since the cost of construction has sky rocked building in small towns are proving to be a challenge, mind set is, I move to a small-town thing should be cheaper, I even got this one “I’m not paying that to live in that town” sooooo, having issues with cost.

Another reason, there is a HUGH under served market out there, affordable housing, I’m trying and looking at ever option I can to figure out away, including and not limited to modular and manufactured

Let’s start with Modular, I’ve called several plants across this great country and explained my thoughts, surprising everyone I called was more then happy to spill the beans, meaning more then willing to talk about process, cost and even offer tours at any time, very friendly folks. I would say not to be shy look them up and call.

From what I understand from the conversation I had, there costs are waaaaayyyy up as well and the one Modular plant in Indiana I decided on to go look at is 6 months out, Yikes. Still going to look it over and crunch more numbers.

Manufactured; I have been looking into some newer models, the doublewides amazing. Open floor plans, kitchen Islands well-built and insulated. Look up newer models on the net. Cost, very reasonable. To be able to have a buyer finance them, you’ll have to install on a foundation have axles and tow hitch removed and certified by an engineer that it is permanently fixed and cannot be moved.

That’s about all I have for now, still working on the due diligence, talking, asking quistions, number crunching, logistics.

The one reoccurring theme is the bad wrap they both have. The Modular and Manufactured industry has zero positive marketing, working on that myself.

Good Luck

Mike Campbell