Anybody had experience with modulars? Not manufactured homes (mobile homes) but those built in warehouses, trucked to the building site and craned into place. I went through an Iowa plant, looked at models next to the plant and thought the best thing was to assemble one for myself and then branch out from there. Been stick building for years. Prices not available however. Anybody have the price when the factory is done? I can figure out the rest of the cost: Land, DWV, Foundation, Electrical Supply etc. Factory wants the builder to be to one to give the whole price. Any help appreciated. Thanks, Tyr.
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Why not ask the factory that sells them?
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Odd that the factory would risk losing a sale by not telling you the price, when you are obviously serious about getting a modular. How about asking a builder who puts them up? Factory may be willing to give you a list if you approach it that you are thinking of using one of those builders for your job. Other way might be to look at similar modular homes and get prices from another factory. Have you tried looking online?
Also, I've seen magazines devoted to modular and factory homes that do list prices and they caution that the price does not include land, utilities, etc.. Good luck!
If I read your post correctly, you want to avoid the middleman (in this case, a factory-approved builder/assembler), buy modules directly from the factory, and do the assembling yourself ? The only way this is going to work is to ask the factory if they'll buy into this and bypass the builder who has earned the "right" to build in your area. Well, I guess the second choice is to make a deal with the builder for you to do the labour.
In any case, I had some involvement with shipping and selling component homes to Japan: from the utilities prep through foundation and assembly, they took large, skilled, practised, crews to put them together. This is not one of those 'do it on week-ends' projects, they had to be assembled and sealed in quickly and CAREFULLY.
Your mileage may vary; but, until you get someone at the factory to nod you're not moving.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
OK, I'll try to get you in the ballpark.
As long as you build a permanent foundation, you won't find a HUGE difference between "HUD code" homes (formerly called mobile homes) and the cheaper UBC or IRC modulars. These go as low as $40 per sq. ft. retail. If you're talking about a one-off design with cheap finishes, figure $60/ft. minimum.
Thanks for the info. Just to make sure it is clear--I am a builder. I have toured the factory and asked for pricing. So far--no dice. There is a difference between being an independant builder and a builder officially a member of the factory team. My idea was to build one for myself first and then (and only then) would I consider being officially recognized as a builder for the factory. Made sense to me.....if I live in a modular then that would go a long way toward convincing others that I was the right guy for the job. If you thought that I would hire a factory builder for a modular house that I would live in--you were wrong. An auto mechanic generally will work on his own car instead of taking to another mechanic. The county where I am moving has trailer parks but I was contemplating this being a business decision. That was the reason for my original post. I'm not cutting out the middle man--I am the middleman but not on the first modular. Now I will go back and read my first post. Thor
ok ...
I'm thinking find someone that'll work with you and not against you?
JeffBuck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Right. Thus my question online. The more information the better. Thor
if you contact the state/county licenseing depts you will prabably find that a special license is required to sell the modular homes. once you have the license they will gladly sell to you. i would estimate cost between 36 and 45 psf. with you doing the assembly. you may want to consider assembly/installation for dealer/factory as a service ...where in they sell you your needs at cost plus 3000.00 or so...good luck...