Purchasing a new modular home is a huge step, both financially and emotionally. For many people, their home will be one of the most significant investments in their lifetime. However, a home’s meaning goes far beyond the monetary investment. Your home serves as your refuge at the end of the day and can be where you spend the first years of your married life or where you watch your children take their first steps. With so much at stake, it is crucial to make an informed, confident decision.
If you’re in the market for a new home, today there are more cost-effective options than ever, such as mobile and modular homes, both of which are built predominantly in factories rather than on-site like traditional homes.
The question is: how do you know which type of home is right for you and your lifestyle?
At Rochester Homes, we’re often asked about the difference between modular, manufactured, and mobile homes. Read on to learn about the advantages, and disadvantages of each!
While sometimes confused with RVs, trailers, or campers, mobile homes are completely different. A mobile (or manufactured) home is a structure of at least 320 square feet that is built in a factory and transported on a chassis as a complete unit to a mobile home park or leased or purchased land.
Often, the terms mobile and manufactured are used interchangeably, as the only real difference between mobile and manufactured homes is the date that they were built. Mobile homes refer to homes that were built in factories before June 15, 1976, while manufactured homes are built after that date.
Because they are quite literally “mobile,” these types of homes can be moved to other sites far more easily than stick-built dwellings. While location and the condition of the home do play a role in the home’s value, manufactured homes usually depreciate much more quickly than modular or traditionally built homes. This is because mobile homes are considered personal property and are perceived to be prone to faster deterioration.
Like a manufactured home, a modular home is constructed in a factory and then moved to a home site. However, the most significant difference between manufactured and modular homes is that similar to traditional homes, modular homes are built according to state and local building codes rather than federal HUD codes.
Additionally, modular homes are transported to home sites in sections and then assembled on-site. Unlike manufactured homes, modular homes are built on permanent foundations and are not designed to be moved at all.
Since modular homes are built upon permanent foundations, modular home constructors offer far more customization options than manufactured homes. Modular homes are meant to look and feel just like traditionally built homes, meaning that they can be constructed in virtually any size.
Unlike manufactured homes, modular homes are locked into their build site, meaning that they are typically sturdier and have a greater resistance to weather and water. The value of your modular home will also follow local market trends!
One of the greatest advantages of building a modular home is the ability to tailor a home to fit your unique lifestyle. For some homeowners, that could mean customizing aesthetic features such as finishes and cabinets. However, modular home builders can also make crucial design alterations, such as by expanding the square footage, opening up the floor plan, or adding a second story. Ultimately, building your home should be an exciting and collaborative process.
At Rochester Homes, we have more than 50 years of experience in building gorgeous, high-quality modular homes. Our team will work with you to solicit your precise input and design a dream home that suits your budget and your family’s lifestyle. Want to learn more? Schedule a tour of the Rochester Homes plant today!