Philadelphia Modular Homes

Modular homes are houses that are partially assembled in a warehouse before they are shipped to the site that is to be the house's permanent home. Though most of us have at one time or another passed a section or two of a modular home mounted on the back of a flatbed truck, it is difficult to get a good idea of the quality and craftsmanship of a structure at 65 miles an hour. The fact is, today's modular homes use many of the same quality materials that a conventionally built house would use, but they are less expensive to purchase and can be built faster and more efficiently. If you're looking to purchase or build a new home near Philadelphia, modular homes are definitely an option worth a second look.

Philadelphia Modular Homes vs. Manufactured Homes
Since they are both shipped on the highway, people often get modular homes confused with manufactured homes. There are very important differences between the two, however. A manufactured home is designed for mobility. They are built on a steel chassis that is not meant to be removed. They are built following Housing and Urban Development (HUD) codes, and are commonly referred to as mobile homes or "double wides."

A modular home, on the other hand, is built to the specific building codes of the state and locality where the house is to be erected, just like any other home in the area. They are designed to be assembled permanently and to stay in one spot. They are shipped about 90% complete and are finished on site.

Philadelphia Modular Home Builders
In and around Philadelphia, modular home builders are working in warehouses creating customized homes under perfect conditions. That's one of the biggest benefits of purchasing a modular home instead of having it built on site: work can be done just as efficiently no matter the time of day or the weather outside. In Philadelphia, modular home builders never have to worry about precipitation slowing down production, or a cold snap stopping progress altogether. It is partially this efficiency that makes building a modular home less expensive than making a conventional structure.

Modular Home Drawbacks
They're less expensive to build, quick to erect, and customizable, but modular homes are still not the most popular choice for new home buyers. They use many of the same materials as a conventionally built house and are made by experienced craftsmen, but while modular homes have certainly become a force to be reckoned with, they still do not offer the same level of uniqueness as other home building options. People looking to build their "dream house" will often choose a more expensive custom built home in order to make sure that their options will not be limited by the need to transport large pieces of their house from the warehouse to the job site.

Philadelphia Modular Home Pricing
By choosing to build a modular home, Philadelphia residents can expect to pay 10-15% less than a similar home built on site. Building the component pieces of your home in the warehouse usually takes 8-10 weeks. Once the pieces are on site, an additional 8-12 weeks will be necessary before your home is ready to be lived in.