Any Big Savings Building Modulars Over Stick-builts?
Here's the deal:
I picked up some buildable acreage in a hot area.
I'd like to put up a spec house and immediatley market it.
Are there any advantages to going modular? I assume the house goes up quicker than stick-built.
I've heard it costs about the same as stick built. ANy comments?
Thanks,
J
Of course you're consulting with and listening to the Modular Co. reps on this...right? To get their opinions and what their co.'s experience has been, and where, etc.
If not, do so now. After all, they're in the business and think about this full time, and will have some valuable experience and examples to share with you.
John:
Indeed, I've spoken with many of them and of course, they all say their product is great, savings are huge, etc.
That's why I'm posting here..to hear from a builder who has actually used both methods and can compare/contrast them , or at least confirm what the moduclar reps are telling me.
Thanks-
J
I have built stick built and remodeled a fire damaged modular. Modular looked the same when completed. It was a fourplex. I was told they brought it out on 4 flatbed trucks and there it was. I guess they put up the roof trusses stick style and had a roof in a day or two. The interior was sheetrocked and ready to move in, so i was told. The olny negative I noticed was the plumbing system. All plastic. At least it was the screw together type and not the old crimp style with all the lawsuites. I will try to get a friend of my dads to contact you too. He has done a subdivision of modular affordable homes.
Good LUCK and HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Hope this helps some
Ted Jr
Thanks Ted. It is helpful.
You can answer one question for me...
Can you estimate what your per sq. ft costs were for an affordable stick-built?
(I know our markets may be different, I just like to compare.)
Up here it's outrageous. Well over $120 per sq. ft., and that's for a simple cape cod.
I have looked into Modular building as well. From what I can see for a decent quality home , the price psf is comperable to stick built. Where you get a good deal of savings is on your construction loan interest savings.
I am interested in hearing from others who have built modular also, especially from Ted who's father built a modular community. This is what i would like to do as well.
I have been building modular homes for the pass 5 years. Cost wise it is about the same. Here in MD the modular in the parking lot runs about $40-45 per sf. (Depending on the location and delivery charges) Then you have to hire a crane for about 2k per 8hr day. Then you have to hire a set crew which will cost you about $600 per modular box plus additional money for any fancy bump-outs or reverse gables or dormers. The house will be completly closed in once they leave i.e. roof on and house set. Then you pay for the following:
1. Electric connection
2. HVAC complete install to include duct work
3. Sprinkler system (if required)
4. Complete plumbing connections.
5. Exterior siding gutter and downspout
6. Some interior drywall work and painting, carpet installation, some trim and doors. (not a lot just where the house came together)
7. All exterior concrete work.
Don't forget to add the cost for your foundation, because that is something you are responsible for aswell.
In the long run depending on how much you can get the sub work for you may be able to save some money, however like the previous post stated your biggesy saving is in time and interest payments.
Hope this help.
JeffJ
Jackso,
What brand home do you build mostly, and how does the quality compare with each other. For example, is Nationwide better than product X?
Also, are you an investor, or a builder who builds for others?
jackso1j:
Great answer, thanks.
And yes, do you have a preference for any specific modular companies?
Yes, I do build for others and I am an investor. I started out doing rehabs and decided that I could buy some vacant lots and spec some homes. Once I registered with a modular company I was getting so many referals that I decided to concentrate on new home modular homes.
I have finished modular homes from 3 different companies all located in PA. That deliver a lot of homes to both NC and NY.
Contact me via private email for further details.[ Edited by NC_Yank on Date 12/18/2003 ]
No build a stick built, modulars do not work out cheaper.
They sell for less, cost the same !
Have you inquired about metal houses/steel houses?
I am awaiting estimates on these for 1200 sq ft houses.
I have heard from several sources who know about construction that they are very sturdy, well insulated, cost and energy efficient and seem to have many advantages over the stick built and modular houses. They can be built quite fast, which is money efficient!
When I receive the info this week I will post it.
Good luck!
Ladybug
johnqreplies,
You should be hapy to get thew new hose built for the $120.00/sft. Where is the lot?
For example, in the uptown this days, one who want's to remodel a town home (built at the turn of the century) it would cost about $300.00/sft or about 30% more then in time when I did oneon the west side back in 1992.. can't belive how the time flies.
Anyone knows how can be stopped or at list slowed down? I guess not [ Edited by omega1 on Date 01/29/2004 ]
Dear Ladybug,
When you find out about the steel houses please please post. I am in the building department here in Los Angeles in the midst of obtaining a building permit for my first IOS Steel Containers into houses. The house I have designed is 1400 feet with a total erection and finish cost of about $25 to $30 a Sq.Ft. It utilizes 2, 40 footers and 3, 20 footers. In various combinations. Some are paralleled with interior walls removed to give me a 16 foot wide great room. etc. etc. I think they are attractive and some of my chinese friends who arrived in this country inside them, think they are rather homey. We are using the new toilets, I mean why get married, they do everything, really embarassing. Radient heating in the floor, talk about an on going hotfoot.
Of course I am on my fifth set of engineering calculations as the Building Department do not approve of progress or any form of new design. Frankly if they had their way we would all live in caves and paint ourselves blue!
The Head Plan Checker told me if I did not approve of the time he is spending on checking calculations I could go complaign to the Governor.
So I will be lifting weights and tanning in preperation for meeting Ein Grossen Swartz some time soon.
Buried in Burrocracy. Lucius <IMG SRC="images/forum/smilies/icon_cool.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/smilies/icon_cool.gif"> [ Edited by Lufos on Date 01/29/2004 ]
For Classic Steel Frame construction go to: http://www.metalhomes.com/
If anyone care for a slightly alternative design, my favorites are Monolithic Domes.
Complex Monolithic Dome designs push Airform technology to the limit. What are airforms? Airforms are very strong and function well, but in some cases, aesthetics present a problem.
Weather you want to park a pair of F-15's or just under a hundred iligal imigrants that just run the state line, Monolithic Domes work fantastic.
[ Edited by NC_Yank on Date 02/02/2004 ]
I am in the process of looking for alternatives for a "single seniors housing project" of about 110 units on 17 acres. I am having trouble finding a modular manuafcturer that can help me. Any ideas, please PM me.
We are also looking at panelized steel frame. We wil tour a plant next week.
Cost of contruction is lower, and selling -inventory homes is made a lot easier. Our cost is about $55 a square foot with panelized.
_________________
Gregg Fous
Investor/Developer
"Under-promise and over-deliver"
[ Edited by GFous on Date 02/03/2004 ][ Edited by GFous on Date 02/06/2004 ]
Plant tour was interesting. Some key points with panelized.
This was in STEEL frame.
The same panel mfgr. does the drywall.
Exterior can be hardy board or stucco or brick.
Stucco is synthetic, pre-colored - so no repainting.
Trusses and framing more expensive per foot than wood - but not once we look at cost of time and labor.
Panleized will save 20 days on verticle build ( average.)
We are seriously thinking of goiing panelized. ( Getting hard bids)
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I've built from steel for more than 20 years and have done panelized up to 5-story hotel buildings. Its an excellent way to build, no question. The problems come from dealing with subs or labor who don't understand how to use it. For instance, many designs call for plywood roof sheathing, if its not properly attached, using the correct fasteners, it will cause a multitude of problems. Also, plumbers and electricians can't just whack holes in it like they do wood framing and should use a plasma cutter if larger holes than the pre-punched ones are needed (never use a torch). If your contractor is experienced and conscientious, steel can be a great thing and yeild a superior product. If he's not, stick to wood or CMU as the learning curve for mistakes can be veeeeeeeeery expensive.
All excellent points that others have brought up to me as well. We are proceeding very www.cautiously.Thanks very much for your comments.,
Gregg
_________________
Gregg Fous
Investor/Developer
"Under-promise and over-deliver"
[ Edited by GFous on Date 02/12/2004 ][ Edited by GFous on Date 02/12/2004 ]
I have searched all over the web for a modular home builder that can handle multi family - left a few messages both by phone and email and I have had no success. I would appreciate it if those in the know could pass me on some companies to contact .
I am particlualery interested in senior housing 157 units.
Gregg
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John:
The advantages of a modular home are they are cheaper and can be built a lot quicker. There is a seminar in California in March put on by a mentor of mine named Bruce Norris. If you go to
www.TheNorrisGroup.com you can view the information. The first day of the seminar he goes over gettting all the permits, the right lot, financing, etc....
The second day he takes you to the job
site where he has 23 lots and modulars he is doing in Lancaster, Ca.
It might be worth your time to get a cheap flight to Cali and check out this two day event. You could probably make a killing in NY on what you learn. I will be there!
Best Riches,
Jeffrey Adam
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Jeffrey
Is that the seminar at the Double Tree in Ontario?
Mike
This is an excellent seminar for the money. Norris has and is building at this time in Lancaster and on completion I think his timing is one hundred percent correct.
He fudges the edge, takes a modular and does additions to it that make it look and feel like a stick built house.
He is the middle step in modern housing. Check his foundations very progressive. As I say he is the Middle Way.
The fun of it all is that when you see these various housing solutions you begin to realize that a new wave in housing is upon us.
My present time solution is Containers converted into housing as the present time way to go. Cost wise it is on the bottom. But it also is merely another step up into the housing that is really going to sweep the world.
That housing will probably be a mix of very advanced plastics and of course metal in the frame and surround.
I see small semi moble factories which will produce a full dimension box. Similar to a container but much wider. I look for a width of about 15 feet and the hight goes up to at least 9 feet. The length goes to 45 on the long ones and 24 on the short ones. The windows and doors are doubled framed and of an interesting non rectangle design. The foundation is cassions and the dwelling will be up about 28 inches off the dirt. The space under will be concrete slab so that plumbers and electricians can work on little sliding platforms such as auto mechanics use today. They will of course have solar collectors of a very advanced type which emulate simple roof tiles. The battery storage will not be lead acid but one of the new ones just coming out that require no maintenance for about five years. The requirement for the house to "stand alone" when our Utility Companies play their games, is most important. Got to have our television.
Oh I could rave on. But here in my little office late at night, the CAD is on and I am exploring the future of housing. I think the future of single family is pretty much as I envision. Where I am stuck is how to create Artists in residence, stack up lofts with living quarters. Oh god how we need them. Any Ideas, I am open.
Lucius[ Edited by Lufos on Date 02/25/2004 ]
Mr. Lufos,
I am new here and I like your posts. What is the drill? Are you (whole)selling those metal houses? Aha, I now see how you make your money here!!! I am interested in any opportunity to invest and make money too! Have several R3 lots in Barstow. People ask me to sell but I like to make houses for my family so please tell me how much $$$ do I need to buy into your project or several 1,200sf houses? Are this container houses all ready to go? Can we chose the color? I like green! I had a cousin coming from Shanghai sleeping in the real one for two months. When they arrived in Long Beach port he was the happiest soul on the whole world but a little to tin and he love containers because they feel safe and I'd like to buy few for him and his 12 children family. Lovely kids. I would tell you their name but don't know if you want to know. Please post all the details! I am interested in any money making opportunity! Let me know how it works.
Mike
[ Edited by MikeMo on Date 02/25/2004 ][ Edited by MikeMo on Date 02/25/2004 ]
Mike:
I am not sure exactly where the seminar is? I have not registered yet, but I will be there.
Jeff
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