Prefabricated Housing...

[Scarpozzi]

On average, how much do contractors charge to build these kinds of houses. I'm wondering if they're more economical than paying a contractor to build one of their designs...I think the majority of the industry is going pre-fab no matter what they say. I'd just like to get an idea of $$ per square foot...etc...and any websites if anyone knows of any. Thanks,

-Scar

 

[flot]

Generally speaking they're supposed to be cheaper, faster, and have a better overall build quality. However, as with all things - it all depends on the manufacturer and the people they hire.

I don't know why it hasn't caught on, except that generally speaking the houses are ugly.

The big advantage is supposed to be the controlled build environment - which makes sense...

 

[DeadByDawn]

I know someone that built a prefab house. They put a basement in, then brought in the house and assembled it ontop of the basement, then built an attached 2 car garage next to it. It looks great. He is very happy. I don't remember the name of the company he used, but they were based in Iowa iirc. He shopped around a long time before settling on where to buy the house from.

 

[DougK62]

I would have bought a prefab if they didn't have such horrible resale.

 

[j00fek]

Originally posted by: DougK62
I would have bought a prefab if they didn't have such horrible resale.

yeh resale value goes into the shi**er after 2-10yrs

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: j00fek

Originally posted by: DougK62
I would have bought a prefab if they didn't have such horrible resale.

yeh resale value goes into the shi**er after 2-10yrs

If it is better quality, why does the resale drop so quickly?

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: j00fek

Originally posted by: DougK62
I would have bought a prefab if they didn't have such horrible resale.

yeh resale value goes into the shi**er after 2-10yrs

If it is better quality, why does the resale drop so quickly?

Perception of quality. People confuse "Pre-fab" and "manufactured" with mobile homes/trailors.

 

[DVK916]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: j00fek

Originally posted by: DougK62
I would have bought a prefab if they didn't have such horrible resale.

yeh resale value goes into the shi**er after 2-10yrs

If it is better quality, why does the resale drop so quickly?

Perception of quality. People confuse "Pre-fab" and "manufactured" with mobile homes/trailors.

A "pre-fab" is a mobile home. There are many types of mobile homes.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: j00fek

Originally posted by: DougK62
I would have bought a prefab if they didn't have such horrible resale.

yeh resale value goes into the shi**er after 2-10yrs

If it is better quality, why does the resale drop so quickly?

Perception of quality. People confuse "Pre-fab" and "manufactured" with mobile homes/trailors.

A "pre-fab" is a mobile home. There are many types of mobile homes.

You just proved my point.

Do these look like mobile homes?

http://www.allamericanhomes.com/Home.htm

These technically are "modular" homes...even more jargon to throw into the mix.

 

[DVK916]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: j00fek

Originally posted by: DougK62
I would have bought a prefab if they didn't have such horrible resale.

yeh resale value goes into the shi**er after 2-10yrs

If it is better quality, why does the resale drop so quickly?

Perception of quality. People confuse "Pre-fab" and "manufactured" with mobile homes/trailors.

A "pre-fab" is a mobile home. There are many types of mobile homes.

You just proved my point.

Do these look like mobile homes?

http://www.allamericanhomes.com/Home.htm

No, but they are mobile homes. High quality mobile homes though.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: j00fek

Originally posted by: DougK62
I would have bought a prefab if they didn't have such horrible resale.

yeh resale value goes into the shi**er after 2-10yrs

If it is better quality, why does the resale drop so quickly?

Perception of quality. People confuse "Pre-fab" and "manufactured" with mobile homes/trailors.

A "pre-fab" is a mobile home. There are many types of mobile homes.

You just proved my point.

Do these look like mobile homes?

http://www.allamericanhomes.com/Home.htm

No, but they are mobile homes. High quality mobile homes though.

They are not mobile homes. You can't pull up to them with your truck and take it with you.
:roll:

 

[DVK916]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: j00fek

Originally posted by: DougK62
I would have bought a prefab if they didn't have such horrible resale.

yeh resale value goes into the shi**er after 2-10yrs

If it is better quality, why does the resale drop so quickly?

Perception of quality. People confuse "Pre-fab" and "manufactured" with mobile homes/trailors.

A "pre-fab" is a mobile home. There are many types of mobile homes.

You just proved my point.

Do these look like mobile homes?

http://www.allamericanhomes.com/Home.htm

No, but they are mobile homes. High quality mobile homes though.

They are not mobile homes. You can't pull up to them with your truck and take it with you.
:roll:

That not what a mobile home is. Mobile homes doesn't mean trailer. You are talking about a trailer.

 

[DVK916]

Any ways a family member of mine was looking into buying one of these, but how do we purchase the land to place it on top of?

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: DVK916
Any ways a family member of mine was looking into buying one of these, but how do we purchase the land to place it on top of?

Buy a lot? You would probably want to get an attorney familiar with local regulations first as each area will have different requirements. By purchasing the lot you will have other expenses including getting electrical/plumbing/water/road access to the lot (if this is not looked into in advance, it will cause huge problems).

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: j00fek

Originally posted by: DougK62
I would have bought a prefab if they didn't have such horrible resale.

yeh resale value goes into the shi**er after 2-10yrs

If it is better quality, why does the resale drop so quickly?

Perception of quality. People confuse "Pre-fab" and "manufactured" with mobile homes/trailors.

A "pre-fab" is a mobile home. There are many types of mobile homes.

You just proved my point.

Do these look like mobile homes?

http://www.allamericanhomes.com/Home.htm

No, but they are mobile homes. High quality mobile homes though.

They are not mobile homes. You can't pull up to them with your truck and take it with you.
:roll:

That not what a mobile home is. Mobile homes doesn't mean trailer. You are talking about a trailer.

I was pointing out the word 'mobile', which implies a trailer. The correct word to use would be 'modular'.
I really don't understand why these homes would be valued less. They are the same thing as a normal house with the difference that the the big parts have been built in-doors in a factory instead of in the open (collecting moisture, getting wet and so on).
I would think these are actually of better quality than a 'real' house.

 

[Scarpozzi]

To clear up the confusion. Prefab=prefabricated.....meaning pieces are built in a factory, then these pieces are shipped. Most of them are basically complete walls with all window and door holes cut for them...some even with windows and doors preinstalled. They even run all of the wire for you in the walls.... They load up these walls on a flatbed truck and ship them to you. The end result is a shipment of pieces that go together like a puzzle and reduce the amount of time it takes to build a home.....saves money in materials too because there's little or no waste to the builder....fewer fasteners required, etc...

You wouldn't necessarily be able to tell it's prefabricated unless there is a whole neighborhood of these houses that look exactly alike.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
To clear up the confusion. Prefab=prefabricated.....meaning pieces are built in a factory, then these pieces are shipped. Most of them are basically complete walls with all window and door holes cut for them...some even with windows and doors preinstalled. They even run all of the wire for you in the walls.... They load up these walls on a flatbed truck and ship them to you. The end result is a shipment of pieces that go together like a puzzle and reduce the amount of time it takes to build a home.....saves money in materials too because there's little or no waste to the builder....fewer fasteners required, etc...

You wouldn't necessarily be able to tell it's prefabricated unless there is a whole neighborhood of these houses that look exactly alike.

AKA modular. Which is what that All American Home's is that I linked above.

My parents have one, my uncle has one, several friends of my family have one. They were all very satisfied with the process. My bricked the entire outside of his and you would never know that it was made in a factory unless you knew to look for the marriage walls that they have in them where the pieces come together.

The money saved in the building process was put into higher quality flooring (true hardwood), an oversized garage with in floor heating, wider door openings with quality hardwood doors, and other little things here and there that you notice every day. It's those things that make the house more livable, not how it was put together.

It still sits on a hand built foundation with 12" block instead of the typical 8" and has the same building codes as a house built all on site.

 

[Sphexi]

Mobile homes are NOT the same as modular/pre-built. Not even close.

 

[pinion9]

My wife and I are about to build one this summer from Pacific homes. Here is the story on them:

A mobile home is exactly that. The entire house was built elsewhere and is brought in and set down on a slab.

A modular home is a home where entire modules are built (e.g. the living room, complete with wiring, sheetrock, painted walls, etc.) The modules are then assembled onsite.

A prefabricated home has the walls built, trusses, etc. They come in large shipments and nothing is assembled except for the walls. Generally you are responsible for putting up the foundation, electrical, plumbing, hanging sheetrock, etc.

We are buying prefabricated for many reasons. First, we sent them our house plan, which is a 3700 square foot custom home with a 900 square foot garage. Ceilings in the home range from 8 foot to 11 foot. They are building it for us exactly as we want. They have an architect you work with about details, etc. The wood used is kiln dried, not Home Depot BS that shrinks and warps. We pick all details, down to what doorknobs, closet doors, shingles, siding, windows, etc. Everything is essentially included to get you shelled in. Our package is coming to about $180K. Add on top of that someone who actually puts it up (because it does take skill to erect almost 4500 square foot building) who is charging around 30K. Then we need electrical, plumbing, cabinets, etc. All in all, I will probably spend close to 400K but think the house will be worth closer to 500-600K.

Prefab != modular != trailer != mobile. Pre fab means that the walls and trusses are built in a controlled environment and shipped up. Please, someone explain to me the difference of a wall being built onsite and erected, and a wall being built offsite then erected.

Edit: Also, since Pacific-Homes uses their own forrest and kiln dried wood, there is no waste. If I want 14 foot walls in one part of the house, they simply cut the 2x6 into 14 foot pieces. 9 foot walls doesn't mean I buy 12 foot boards and cut 3 foot off, it means they cut 9 foot studs.

All in all, you ARE paying someone else to assemble the home for you. If you are a DIY type of person and can frame a house, it may be cheaper to order lumber and do it yourself. Then again, buying in bulk from Canada does seem nice.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Prefab != modular != trailer != mobile. Pre fab means that the walls and trusses are built in a controlled environment and shipped up. Please, someone explain to me the difference of a wall being built onsite and erected, and a wall being built offsite then erected.

The major difference is not having piles of sawdust on the site.

I've been told that there's no tax when you order from Canada too....Thank you NAFTA.

 

[waggy]

My MIL has a true mobile home. its 900 sq/ft 3 bedrooms with 2 baths. they paid 7k for it. I hate it. its always cold in the winter and to hot in the summer. My SIL has a trailer right down the street. Its about the same size but a 2 bedroom and she paid 3k for it. The walls are maybe 3inches thick and very little insalation. They pay a lot rent of $350/month.

My dad has a pre-fab (or modular not sure). He has a 1200 sq/ft 3 bedroom he paid $72k for. you really can not tell that is a pre-fab. once inside its nicer then many houses i have seen. the walls are thick and very well insalated. the only way to tell is that it matches EVERY house in the area.

 

[pinion9]

Originally posted by: waggy
the walls are thick and very well insalated. the only way to tell is that it matches EVERY house in the area.

That is why you find a company that lets you design your own. Sure, it may be a little cheaper to just buy one they always make, one of their own designs, but for me it isn't that much more to have my custom home built. I'll probably dave 30-40% off of a traditional stick frame house.

As a matter of fact, the guy that will be "putting mine together" is a general contractor that used to do stick frame, but now will only do pre fab since they are very high quality and can be erected in a week. The rule of thumb is that a pre fab takes 1/3 the time to finish than a stick frame.

If anyone wants to see my plans just PM me with your e-mail and I can send you a copy of the prelims in .pdf format.

 

[Tommouse]

Interesting. I'm not in the market for a house at all, but this is interesting stuff. I admit I didn't know about "pre-fab". Sounds like an interesting proposition, after seeing the addition go onto my parents house (a freaking disaster) this way has more appeal to me. So just keep talking about it and posting sites for my edumacation

 

[SampSon]

It's impossible to give you a general idea of the cost per sf.
Of the few hundred modular/manufactured homes I've done, the prices have ranged from $40/sf to $200/sf.
Generally it costs $80/sf to build a house, stick built or not.

DVK916 proves how the public always confuses the terminology when it comes to prefab houses.

 

[notfred]

If I was going to go through all the effort and expense to build my own home, I think I'd just go all the way and get one custom designed.