Understanding Manufactured Homes

A lso known as prefabricated houses, manufactured homes are assembled off-site in a certified factory and then transported to the user’s premises. Depending on size and design, the completed structure is transported in one or more pieces. Once the house reaches its preferred site, qualified technicians from the factory perform installation final assembly and installation. Like any other product in the market, manufactured homes have both benefits and downsides, making them an appropriate investment for some people and not for every homeowner. In modern market, the term manufactured home can be used to mean two types of homes, mainly mobile and modular. • Mobile homes: these types of manufactured homes are built on steel chassis and do not require permanent foundation. Since they are not considered as actual homes, they must conform only to building code approved by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. • Modular homes: these manufactured homes are made in a certified factory just like mobile homes. However, their construction has to follow the rules of all local building codes. Besides, modular homes resemble site-built homes more than their mobile counterparts do. Benefits and drawbacks of manufactured homes They come with several advantages over regular site-built homes. Based on their simple design, owners of such houses do not incur much repair and maintenance costs. Besides, their construction takes lesser time than it takes in site-built homes. However, aside from the many benefits they have, manufactured homes also have their share of downsides. While modular homes can appreciate much as site-built houses do, mobile homes tend to depreciate as they grow older and begin to wear out. This eventually makes them a poor investment for many people, especially those that may consider long-term investment. Additionally, mobile homes are less durable compared to site-built homes. It is always important to engage expert insight to help you make important decisions regarding your manufactured home. With expert guidance, you can be able to get the right design, measurement, and style that meet your expectations.