how much does a 3 bedroom 2 bath modular home usually cost?
Modular Home Questions August 24th, 2009We are looking into buying one and they wont give me a price range until we fill out an application, and im not comfortable with that so i was just curious. We are buying one in TN.
It is a Clayton.
August 24th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Tell them you want a price range on the PREVIOUS modular homes they have sold and which floor plan, to get an idea. Tell them you would like a list of previous modular home purchasers to see how satisfied they are. Surely they have some satisfied customers??? If not, walk away, or just get a manufactured home. When we were looking for a modular, we asked for a list but everyone on the list had purchased a manufactured home, not a modular. This should of been our first clue. In our case, we were told, in general, a modular home cost $10,000 more than the manufactured counterpart, not counting the foundation and skirting. A modular is built to the same standards as a site built home. If you are purchasing a modular, it will be inspected 3 times by a licensed inspector. With a manufactured home, they set it and it is never inspected. The problem is, the installation of a manufactured home is not as stringent (HUD Code is not as stringent) and then the same people who install the manufactured home may install a modular home but they have to do it tto a higher standard – the same standards as a site built home (IHB), but they are not use to the higher standard and therefore, may not install it to the modular code (IHB). Usually the inspector is not an independent party – it is usually an employee of the company or the engineer, hired by the company. They have generic foundation design plans for each model — if it is a modular. Once you purchase, they put your name and adress on the generic foundation design plan and the engineer signs off. Please call the Department of Licensing and Regulation for your state. They regulate the modular homes. Ask if they have any complaints for modular homes installed by the company you are thinking about purchasing from. If you do decide to go modular, please hire your own independent inspector about the installation of your home. Educate yourself as to the type of soil you have and if drilled piers are recommended, according to the foundation design plan. Above all else, make sure what you talked about is written on the construction bid. Make sure they put down soil sample and make sure you get one. If you live in a termite area or if you want to be careful, make them put down termite treatment and make sure they do it. Put in the contract you want the foundation inspected before the modular home is placed on it. Put on the contract when installed, the dirt will be sculpted for water drainage to move away from the home. You don’t pay extra for that – it is part of the IHB code, required by law. Make sure you have the correct number of vents and they are 24" above the ground and make sure they have "sculpted" the land so you have proper drainage of rain water away from your house. If you have certain type soil, they are required to put rain gutters on your home. Like I said, there are a lot of codes they have to follow for a modular home. Be very careful and don’t let them treat the purchase like you are purchasing a car. Ask for a sales person with actual experience in selling a modular home. At that point, that sales agent should have ballpark figures for what they paid for their modular. Ask to speak to the installer and find out how many modular homes, not manufactured homes, they have installed. If you don’t get some information, ask for the corporate number. Tell corporate you want more information and that the sales center is unable to provide. This should help get answers. Whatever you discuss, GET IN WRITING ON THE CONTRACT. Don’t let them act like it is done automatically and it’s no big deal. That way of thinking is in their favor. For the amount of money you are spending, if your peace of mind requires it be stipulated, they shouldn’t have a problem.
August 24th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Modular or manufactured. 2 different structures. Then it depends on the land and utility hook ups etc. Most double wide manufactured homes are about $80,000 or better. Modular all depends on sq.ft. and exterior that is picked out like brick or stucco etc. Yes both are assembled in a factory but the manufactured has wheels and axles as well as a VIN # attached as it is on the road. Most of these go on block foundations and are strapped down. Modular home are factory assembled but flat bedded to the foundation and placed on the foundation and bolted to it and comparable to a site built home.
I am a mortgage banker in TN & KY