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When shopping for a factory-built home, you’ll often coordinate your home purchase through a licensed retailer in conjunction with a builder, so choosing the right manufacturer is one of the most important steps in the process. Keep in mind that the majority of the home’s construction will be completed inside the manufacturer’s facility—typically 80 to 90 percent of construction is complete by the time the home shows up at your building site.
Modular home manufacturers produce houses in accordance with state and local building codes. Thus, not all manufacturers build homes for all 50 states. Typically, a manufacturer will build homes within a range of states, though there are national modular home manufacturers to partner with. The top modular home builders offer a variety of plans to choose from, with the ability to customize options to suit your situation. Quality building materials and attention to detail in workmanship are important factors, as is the ability to find a retailer or builder that will be your guide in the new home buying process.
Whether you’re looking for a home with plenty of square footage for a growing family or a smaller pad for a getaway or the golden years of retirement, there is an abundance of modular home plans to choose from. Some custom modular home manufacturers will also bring your unique floor plan to life or modify existing plans to fit your vision. Get your search started with our list of the best modular home manufacturers.
Best Modular Home Manufacturers of 2021
Final Verdict
With so many options from which to choose, Champion Home Builders stood out for its diverse floor plans through a wide network of retailers to build your new modular home. With decades of experience in constructing factory-built homes, there will be few surprises in store. However, modular home availability may be more limited in specific regions of the United States, meaning this manufacturer might not be the right choice for everyone.
Impresa Homes, however, has developed factory relationships across the United States. You can build a custom home with this manufacturer or pick from the company’s vast library of floor plans. Keep in mind that Impresa sells directly to homeowners and expects you to do the majority of the work of a general contractor (or hire your own). This means that coordinating things like site preparation and crews for final installation will fall on your shoulders.
What Is a Modular Home Manufacturer?
A modular home manufacturer builds housing modules inside of a factory. These modules are then assembled on site by a builder, who takes care of finishing work, utility connections, and other final punch list items. Modular homes rest on a permanent foundation—either a crawl space or a full basement.
What Is the Difference Between a Mobile Home and Modular Home Manufacturer?
While mobile homes are built to federal HUD standards, applicable in all 50 states, modular home manufacturers must build homes to meet the state and local codes for the home’s final building site. In both cases, these homes are considered factory-built and some manufacturers produce both mobile and modular homes.
On a technical note, manufactured homes sit on a permanent steel chassis while modular houses are removed from chassis used for transport and instead rest on a permanent foundation.
Are There Advantages to Buying a Modular Home?
The biggest advantage of a modular home is the fact that it’s largely built inside of a climate-controlled factory. This often translates into fewer delays due to weather, particularly in states with inclement conditions. You’ll also save time in the overall construction process, since site preparation can be done at the same time that your home is being built in the factory.
Factory-built homes can also leverage the buying power of large quantities of quality construction materials, resulting in greater savings on your new home when compared to the cost of a stick-built home. Assembly line construction means frequent inspections and opportunity for good oversight of workmanship at every stage.
Finally, while manufactured homes often have limitations in securing conventional financing, modular homes aren’t subject to the same restrictions. The retailer or builder you work with can often help you negotiate the process of securing home financing.
How Much Do Modular Homes Cost From the Manufacturer?
Just like conventional-built houses, the cost for a modular home will depend on many different factors and can vary significantly by individual modular home manufacturer. Square footage and selected options will often be the largest determiners of price point. Another large contributing expense, outside the cost of the modular home itself, is the land to put it on. Final installation and finishing expenses incurred by the builder or contractor must also be factored in.
While modular homes cost more than manufactured houses, they can cost significantly less than stick-built homes. On the other hand, some modular homes cost significantly more than basic starter stick-built homes. The amount you spend will depend on the type of home and options you’re looking for.
We evaluated leading modular home manufacturers based on factors like service area, floor plan availability, included features, and ability to customize. Some modular home manufacturers sell direct to homeowners while others work through a network of retailers.
Source: The Spruce
