Modular home construction rules are not very much different than rules in place for building traditional homes. It’s a myth that modular home construction is more lenient than traditional home construction. In fact, in some instances, rules may actually be more stringent when it comes to the construction of a modular home.
But, one of the major advantages of modular home construction is the fact it is performed in a controlled environment. Unlike traditional home construction, where the materials are often left outdoors exposed to the elements, materials for a manufactured home are kept under cover, until moved to the area in which it will be built.
Inspections occur frequently throughout the construction process of manufactured homes, which are again performed indoors. Inspectors can watch the construction in a step-by-step fashion, ensuring all building codes are adhered to during every aspect of the process. They are often built stronger than traditional homes in order to withstand the transport of the home from the manufacturer to its resting place on the buyer’s property.
Once put in place, most states require licensed contractors be used to connect utilities to the manufactured homes. This is done to insure compliance with local building codes. For example, an inspection will need to take place once an electrician hooks up the home’s system. Water and sewer lines will also have to be connected in accordance with local building codes as well as to meet state and, in some cases, federal standards.
In most states it is illegal for the owner of the home to perform this type of work on their own, to insure the safety of the home and the environment in which the home rests. Lenders will also have certain requirements on the construction and placement of manufactured and modular homes before they will approve financing. The land on which it sits will also be under regulations, either by the lender or the owner of the property, if the land is not owned by the homeowner.
Manufactured homes may not be a perfect fit for everyone, but the quality of the materials and the quality of the construction make them appealing to many more people than in previous years. Today there are a multitude of options available during the selection and construction of modular homes. Options include high-end appliances, furniture and many other features, which often appeal to a much wider group than in previous years. Buyers can choose to make their modular home as luxurious as they wish, for still a fraction of the cost they would pay in a traditionally built home.
The construction process can also assure the new owner their modular home will last much longer, and in some cases be more secure than a traditional home. Today’s modular homes are nothing like the rusty trailers of the past. They are modern in appearance and in structure, making them ideal choices for many different types of people. From retirees needing a second home to married couples just starting their lives together, modular homes can offer something for everyone.
