Do your homework before you buy

If you are considering Modular, approach it like any other construction project.
Do your research, get recommendations, and inspect past projects and homes. It is a big purchase, and this is no time to skip the details.

Modular - is good in theory

Perhaps the main benefit of modular construction is that the overall approach makes sense. Build it in sections, control the process, minimise exposure to the weather. No different that if you were building an automobile, or a boat. Consider for a moment, that when you decide to buy that 43 foot Merritt. You'd expect it to be manufactured to tight specifications. Not slapped together quickly by two guys with a circular saw and a pickup truck (with no disrespect to pickup trucks).

Quality Variation

Just like cars and boats, home construction varies. And the same with modular home companies. Many companies build great homes, others sadly, build less than quality products. Like cars, they are not all the same. Visit homes the modular company has built recently. Call past customers. And take a tour of the plant. Quality companies want you to visit and see how they build homes.

Get Several Quotes

Talk to several modular home companies, talk to their sales representatives, and get quotes. Push hard, and don't be shy about letting them know they are talking to other companies. And that includes old style stick-built or panelized.

FEMA - Hurricane Andrew - modular performed well

It's well known in the modular industry that modular construction provides a superior structure. A great proof for this opinion is to analyse how modular construction held up during a hurricane.

Hurricane Andrew provides an ideal event to compare how various types of construction held up to the intensive force of a hurricane. Initially, Hurricane Andrew was classified as Category 4, with wind speed up to 145 mph. It was later upgraded to Category 5, with speeds up to 165 mph. ( see http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/?n=andrew;  and http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/outreach/history/#andrew).

FEMA:  Executive Summary

From the executive summary, third paragraph:

"In conducting its survey, the assessment team investigated primary structural systems of buildings, i.e, systems that support the building against all lateral and vertical loads experienced during a hurricane. The building types observed were one- and two-story light wood-frame, masonry wall, combination masonry first floor with light wood-frame second floor, wood-frame modular, and manufactured homes. In general, it was observed that masonry buildings and wood-frame modular buildings performed relatively well."


Other findings included:

"The module-to-module combination of the units appears to have provided an inherently rigid system that performed much better than conventional residential framing."

"...it was observed that ... wood-frame modular buildings performed relatively well."

"Overall, relatively minimal structural damage was noted in modular housing developments."

FEMA:  Wood - Frame Modular Buildings

From the section on Wood-frame Modular Buildings:

"Overall, relatively minimal structural damage was noted in modular housing developments. The module-to-module combination of the units appears to have provided an inherently rigid system that performed much better than conventional residential framing."

You can review the full FEMA document here:

Text Version:  BUILDING PERFORMANCE: HURRICANE ANDREW IN FLORIDA  OBSERVATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND TECHNICAL GUIDANCE  FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY  FEDERAL INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION  DECEMBER 21, 1992  FIA-22

PDF:   BUILDING PERFORMANCE: HURRICANE ANDREW IN FLORIDA OBSERVATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND TECHNICAL GUIDANCE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FEDERAL INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION DECEMBER 21, 1992 FIA-22
Hurricane Andrew: 20 Facts You May Have Forgotten
NOAA - track of Andrew

Patent for Modular construction

Apparently, in 1999, a patent was granted for aspects of modular building construction. Given that some of the production details may have been in use prior to the patents grant, enforcement may be difficult. you can find the details here: Patent: US6256960

Modular Units in NYC

No doubt you have heard that an apartment building was erected in New York City using modular units.  Called The Stack, the year was 2013. To meet strict housing codes in NYC, steel studs, rather than conventional wood studs were used.

Here are a few good articles that cover the project:

• This Prefab Building is a First for New York
• More Units Going Up in a Snap - NY Times
• NYC's First Prefabricated Apartment Building

More detailed information on steel modular construction can be found at:
Steel Construction.info - Modular Construction.

Welcome

This site is setup to provide readers with information about modular home construction, based on working in the modular construction business for many years.