Modular Home Builders In Maine vs Custom Home Builder

Modular Home Builders In Maine vs Custom Home Builder

Well today we are going to tackle an age old debate, well maybe not age old but a debate, that people have about modular homes vs. custom built homes. Here we will lay it all out for you so you can make your own decisions!

Modular Home Built in Maine

Modular homes are built in a factory, they are assembled in stations and each station has a certain amount of time to finish their part, much like an assembly line. Each person or team performs their specific trade and the house moves down the line. You can imagine if projects only have a preset time they spend at each station, it makes many things difficult-customizations, attention to detail, quality of work, etc.. You “order” a house and do not get to see it until it is delivered on your lot, no way to make final changes or customizations- you have predetermined options to choose from. Once your home is done it must be transferred to the job site along roads to the job site, in which it is at risk for torqueing and shifting the structure, possibly jeopardizing the integrity and longevity of your new investment. Once at your site the building is lifting with a crane in to place. Most two story houses are made of 4 boxes, once all four of these boxes are assembled the finish work inside needs to be completed by each individual tradesman- electrical, plumbing, painting, finish work, sitework/landscaping, etc…

Are modular homes as good as stick built?

Stick built homes (VERY briefly) are structures where materials show up on the site and several different carpenters and subcontractors will come and assembly the materials. With stick built homes you get to see the progress at each step and can customize and tweek the finishes as needed. You are also able to have constant communication with your general contractor about the schedule, budget, changes, and concerns (the most exciting part is watching it all unroll right ?!?). Stick built homes are also easier to finance with banks. While some banks will finance modular homes there is not as many and more hoops to jump through. Another drawback to modular companies is that they don’t offer other services like the foundation, well septic system, driveway, therefore you still need to hire a general contractor for access to quality tradesmen. With a stick built home, the custom builders will handle every step of the process and keep the schedule going.

While Both ways of building homes have their advantages and disadvantages, stick built homes offer clients more customizations, visual progress, more communication and less headaches! :)