I read with interest the articles in the Statesman last week about the Star residents who are upset about the prefabricated homes being erected in their subdivision. In fact, the Statesman reported that the residents are going to seek an injunction 'first thing Monday morning,' to keep houses out of their subdivision. So, Im departing from my series on remodeling to talk about Housing Affordability and Systems Built Housing
As I stated in my blog on Affordability on January 19, the issue of housing affordability is complicated. Building affordable housing is not simply a matter of builders building less expensive homes. Yes, builders can build less expensive homes, but not without the cooperation of a number of parties, including but not limited to state and local governments, land owners – both those selling developable land and those living adjacent to that land, lenders, Realtors, and the home buyers themselves.
The homes being erected in Star by Sawtooth Custom Homes are Systems Built Modular Homes. I can understand the home owner’s concerns, but I believe they are based on misperceptions.
What is Systems-Built Housing?
Systems-built housing refers to methods of construction that take advantage of modern machinery, computer and factory technology to create a code-compliant home. Systems-built homes use prefabricated materials, built in a climate-controlled environment and designed to work as a precise system, to complete the home. System-built homes include modular homes, panelized homes, log homes and concrete homes. The building systems industry is represented by the Building Systems Councils at the National Association of Home Builders and includes the Modular Building Systems Council which is comprised of code-compliant modular manufacturers from across the nation.
Having your new home built, piece by piece, on the home site is the traditional method of construction. For centuries, craftsman constructed homes this way, stick-by-stick, dealing with rain or snow, unreliable trade contractors, and other obstacles that prevents a home from becoming weather-tight and efficient.
Taking a cue from the automobile industry, the home building industry gradually accepted pre-built components as a necessity. From simple roof trusses that outline an intricate roofline to prefabricated stair systems, these premade components made construction quicker and easier.
As manufacturing technology advanced, residential construction embraced more complex pre-built components and, eventually, entire home components. These homes, built off-site in a climate-controlled environment before being shipped to the home site for assembly, were not mere "pre-fabricated" homes, but highly-engineered homes, with components systematically assembled. These are systems-built homes.
While diverse in style, these homes all share the quality control and efficiency of a factory-crafted home.
Leading the way in green construction, modular building systems allow homes to be built in a factory setting. This controlled environment reduces material waste, weather exposure, and time spent moving materials around. It adds up to countless customer benefits, putting you in a customized, quality home in less time and with less stress.
Here are some fast facts about modular homes:
- The building blocks of modular homes - individual modules - are housing components constructed in a controlled factory environment.
- Individual modules are up to 90% complete and shipped from the factory to the home site. All walls, flooring, ceilings, stairs, carpeting, and even wall finish are completed in the factory before shipment.
- Once all building materials arrive at the factory, some manufacturers can assemble modules in a single day. Typically, a two-story, 2,500 sq. ft. home can be constructed in a factory in under a week.
- Aside from any cost savings, modular homebuyers benefit from the short assembly time of their home – reducing any amount of weather damage or home site vandalism. Over the life of the home, modular homes save money because they are incredibly efficient.
- In 2004, 42,700 modular homes were constructed in the United States
- From 1992-2002, modular housing production increased 48%
- One of every ten homes built in the northeast is a modular home. That region accounted for 29% of the nation’s modular activity in 2001. The South Atlantic region was a close second with 26%, and the Great Lakes region third, accounting for 24%.
- he most popular states for modular construction are North Carolina, Michigan, and New York.
Both builder and consumer realize the benefits of systems-built housing. Modular housing systems offer a reduced construction time, allowing for quicker completion and move-in. Building systems also offer more cost control during the construction process and a high degree of energy efficiency.
Systems-built construction is often referred to as the future of homebuilding. It allows home buyers to purchase a home made with factory-crafted pre-built components never exposed to the elements. From rustic log cabins to modular mansions and panelized palaces to concrete castles,
Any type of architectural style or intricate designs are available in today's modular homes. Whether it's two-story foyers, high ceilings, circular stairs, or a kitchen fit for a professional, your new modular home can include any desired amenity.
Curious how a modular home is constructed in a factory or how it will be assembled on site? Wondering what diverse styles and designs modular offers? NAHB’s website offers a Modular Home Photo Gallery. Here are just a few examples.
Chuck Miller GMB CGB MIRM CMP MCSP CSP
President / Builder – Chuck Miller Construction Inc.
(208) 229-2553