Been building new homes and doing remodeling for 10yrs now(on my own). Been thinking about adding modular homes to our line-up. Seems like the profit margin and the customer potential is there but does anybody have an opinion about. Interested in hearing whether it is worth my time getting set up with a manufacturer. No money required to become a dealer, just need to set up accounts and such, and lots of educating so I can be proficient at selling them.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Upgrading the footings and columns that support a girder beam is an opportunity to level out the floor above.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
A lot depends on which manufacturer you choose to hook up with- they range from absolute crap to really top-notch operations. Some will allow unlimited customizing, some will only produce trailers without wheels.
Bob
If u lived in a weather erratic or small weather window of activity area i think it really makes sense.Or if u live in an area of limited skilled labor.
View ImageGwerner it'll be interesting at least for me to see if this topic really goes anywhere. I started a topic here the other day called Modular and Panelized Remodeling?? and so far not much in the way of information has been forthcomming either here or on JLC.
I have a remodeling project, a second story addition I'm looking that if I get it I would really like to do it as either a modular or panelized job so I've been nosing around trying to compile some information.
About fifthteen years ago I worked on a timber frame project that used SIP from Winter panel so I have had a little bit of experience with them but regardless of that just yesterday I picked up a copy of Building With Structural Insulated Panels (Sips): Strength and Energy Efficiency Through Structural Panel Construction
by Michael Morley. Haven't had time to look at it just yet. Maybe tonight as I hit the sack.
Don't know diddly 'bout modulars,...yet. But I'll fill you in on anything I find if you'll do likewise.
View Image
ParadigmProjects.com | Paradigm-360.com | Mac4Construction.com
Never used sips. Done panelized homes and additions quite a bit. Wall panel builder is only 15min from my office. Everything has always went fine. Give them prints and they'll price out the package. Usually all the walls and a boom truck to set them. Exterior walls sheathed and somtimes windows already installed. Goes up quick with only a few people. Hope this helps.
Ive been working with some homeowners and have a horror story. I think it could be a decent option but my first exp. has not been great. A homeowner who was going to build a custom decided to go mod and sell, (as not to out price neighborhood) on some land that had a junk house when purchased. 1.5 story cape, would be nice. when it delivered was full of mold, poly had torn and got wet enough to pit all light fixtures, rock had black stains bleeding through paint etc. place had to be gutted. am in the process of putting it back together now. homeowners have had a rough time, company is trying to work with them but, the const. process has been going on since sept, not fast. They wish they would have stick built now. I guess I would worry about how well home was cared for before it arrived.
IMHO there are some very good products out there and there are still some are basically trailers that sales folk are putting off as modulars. There is a plant not too far from here that a local builder has been putting up their product. I looked at their model home and was pleasantly surprised. Would almost defy someone to tell it from stick built by quality builder.
Can put link if anyone is interested.
http://www.allamericanhomes.com/Home.htm
Sounds like your HO's was relocated from Elm Street.
I checked out the site, they have alot of nice stuff. I do think it could be a great option, (I had alot of interest in buying a couple lots and doing a couple while working elsewhere, not as labor intensive) will definitely check in with them. The dealer whom sold this house had it on his lot for who knows how long, that might have been the root of the prob. had talked with him he has interest in giving me the work that goes along with these, babies. Garages, basements etc. would be good work. I had interest and asked about buying shells, no window, doors, trim, siding, the house he sells all low end. but might be nice with decent finishing, They cant sell that way . too bad. The all american houses looked like real windows, doors, trim, would be fun to see a model.
They look like a class act. A realtor customer is working a development with some. I did not look to see where all they build but they do not spec them and put them on trailer lots like some of the ones around here. They look like they are very well built. You can get attic storage better pitch roofs, put them over basements, etc.
I would just caution you that many "modulars" are just doublewides that get taken off their frames. Thin drywall, lesser size studs, and all kinds of shortcuts seem to be the standard of the ones I have seen on lots that also sell trailers.
It could be good work for you though. I hate working on trailers and only do it as a favor for good customers or friends who have them for rentals.
You did not say where you are and did not do your profile.
Bob
Im in minnesota, just started using this forum. anyway, the sales pitch I got from the guy is, he puts these places on foam form poured wall foundations. The basement walls have to be rocked to get a c.o. so most will do some basement finishing. Lots of garages, decks, porches all contracted directly with the homeowners. This is the first year on my own. so seems like a decent lead, just have to do some siding, roofing, from set up for peanuts. The houses he sells are decent structurally, Ive got to tear into one and see whats in there. just starter home style finishing inside maybe not even that nice. but the one im on is a 1.5 story cape. will be a real nice house when complete. btw, I do not like working on mobile homes either.
What Bob & Tree said plus:
If you live in an area where site access is limited it can be tricky. One went up next door to a friend and he tells the story of the modular nightmare. Seems the owners of the lot were locked into a modular company and the site had only one, narrow way in. Therefore, the builders had to not only clear trees and blast for the house, septic etc.. but had to clear and blast for truck and crane access. Even with all that the modules kept getting hung up in the trees!
Check with the rules and perception of the locality. Some places won't allow them and some will but they will not sell.
I think modulars hold a lot of potential. What's your local labor pool look like?
Jon Blakemore
Thanks. You guys nailed the one thing right off. The labor around here sucks. Nobody wants to make a living building here.
I've worked around mods for awhile and now about access and restrictions.
I've been checkin out manufacturers and found a couple that do really nice work and one of those will do any custom that is haulable.
I toured a Modular Home factory a years or so ago ...
Avis Homes ... in the middle of PA.
they had a sister company down the road ... Avis was their "top of the line" .... same construction .. more options.
very well built stuff.
The only thing I noticed as a downside ... as is the local building tradition ... they don't regularily put any housewrap on their homes ... so adding that is an upcharge .. but they'll add it. They were actually surprised at my questioning the lack of it ...said almost none of their customers want it ... if there was a demand .. they'd add in the cost and include it.
They also only side with vinyl ... so if U want something different, we were there to talk about a hardi sided house. ... they'll wrap it and ship it off in the house wrap .... hardi to be field applied.
I'd buy and/or sell one in a heart beat. Some of their "end result" .. being built in a factory ... would make for a better product ... compared to standard built housing ...
One note of caution about this particular company ... they recently bought another plant in W. Va ..... the guy I took the tour with put up a coupla them pretty much problem free .... his last one was a nightmare. None of the mechanicals from the various boxes were compatable. Had to practically go thru and rewire the whole house .. then do all the patching ...
The problem was this was one of the first houses out of the "new" plant. The plant workers weren't used to doing such elaborate houses as their new bosses were now selling ... plus .. heard the average "length of employment" at the one I visited was around 10 years .... the one in W. Va. ... closer to 1.5 years ...
They were in the process of sending down teams of managers and trying to lure their better employees to move down to improve the product.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
I think it may be interesting to get one, as a shell. And finish with hardi, anderson windows, tile, hardwood floors, etc. might be a fun side line.
these one's come complete with everything ...
just a coupla sections of drywall missing and some flooring held back.
But ... yeah ... have a shell set then trim out?
Wonder if that would still be cost effective ...
the guy I toured with said he can usually get the customer into their "dream home" for about 15% less ... sometimes 20. He usually designs and starts with a site built home .... then if the budget just isn't there ... offers the modular as a second option .. if they don't want to cut sq ft or trim levels.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
It would be interesting to see what they would credit back, or how much cheaper they would be as a shell. If you could save some money on the front end and ad some of your little touches might make it easier to sell. The little things get me, the house I've seen. no shims, no window tape, no house wrap on gable ends. The vinyl windows it came with were pretty terrible.