Cost for a modular (NOT mobile) home in eastern PA?
Modular Home Questions February 14th, 2010I’m looking at possibly purchasing a modular home to place on land I already own. The one I’m looking at is a two story approximately 1850 sq. ft. simple house. Can anyone give me a ballpark figure (just looking for a guess-timate people, not exact) for a moderately equipped modular home? Also, if you feel so inclined, what are the approximate costs for full basement foundation and a two-car standard garage? All serious answers are very much appreciated!
February 14th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Check out, Perscion Manufactured Homes.
February 14th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Noone can answer this but a dealer. Prices vary with options, upgrades, permits, improvements, etc. Use the phone book and look up mods. Do some calling or, better yet, take a lovely day and start shoppng. They are a really great investment, and you get a lot of "bang" for your money.
February 14th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
We purchased a modular home and the installation was a DISASTER. I know why you are asking cost questions. When we were shopping with the manufactured home dealers, they didn’t want to talk specifics, and just rush us into a sales decision. They act like you are wasting THEIR time if you simply want cost estimates without committing to buying. In our case, they acted like the cost of the home was the only item involved. They distanced themselves from the installation costs. They wanted us to sign an agreement to purchase the home and only then, would they send someone out to give a site estimate as to the foundation, utilities, etc. My advice is to treat your time as valuable as theirs. Call and speak only to the general manager. Tell them you want cost estimates on everything, the house and installation, before you will sign anything. GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. We were told our permanent foundation would be to FHA standards, with a termite treatment, etc. The permanent foundation they put in is not suitable for black clay soil, otherwise known as unstable soil. They violated HUDs’ Permanent Foundation Guide to Manufactured Housing. You can purchase this from the government for $5. They violated several IRC codes in the installation. two-thirds of the home has no vents and there is no drainage on 1/3 of thehome. The engineering firm they hired to approve the foundation and installation lied on the inspection forms filed with the state in order to pass the home. If you have any problems, be prepared to contact the Industrialized Housing Board for your state. A modular home does not qualify for the same complaint process as a site built home, but the IHB has the authority to issue finds, pull a builders license, or issue sanctions. Also, the general public views modular homes as no better than a manufactured home. don’t expect a good resale value should you ever need to sell. This offends the manufacturing industry but they aren’t the ones who will be buying your home — the general public will. We found the manufactured home industry to be quite defensive about their homes. They kept downing site built homes because they aren’t built as strong because they don’t travel down the highway. We would always have to remind them that wood frames homes built in the 30′ s and 40’s are taken away and transported elsewhere all the time in our area and arrive in intact. These are homes built 60 years ago with no national codes to follow. The homes nowadays are built even stronger, site built and modular. Our modular home was built strong but the installation ruined the home. Please get your own engineer who is a building inspector to look over their shoulder. We wish we had, but we didn’t know we couldn’t trust the manufactured home dealer who also builds mobile homes.