Your ultimate guide to prefab homes

Desh Raj SharmaJun 1 2010

In recent years, we’ve seen some highly ultramodern homes going beyond the reach of the commoners. Keeping it a bit low, where an average American home costs about $200,000 (more or less), a distinctively attractive abode, dubbed as Prefab Home – unrelated to the futuristic aspect of living; promises style, of course – has gradually come to the fore. Frequently derided as trailer homes, mobile homes, manufactured housing, and modular homes, these wide trailers or mobile-home parks are, now, an essential part of modern American way of life.

prefab homes

The Trend:

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Image Courtesy

Having said that these nomadic houses were once looked down upon, the current financial turmoil, however, has led people to consider limiting their needs and embrace minimalism. Since this applies to almost everything, dwellings are no exceptions at all. Well, if you wish to include the environmental aspect into the discussion, let me tell you that the modern prefabs are much greener than the traditional homes as the weather-induced delays are not there. Since these Factory-built homes can be custom-made to suit a variety of tastes and price ranges, their acceptance has gone up considerably over the years. In the US especially, specialized guidelines provided by the Federal HUD regulations makes it easier for the homebuyers to steer clear of some rigid home-building norms.

Average time to set up a prefab home:

prefab homes 1

What should interest a prospect homebuyer about prefabs is their epigrammatic construction-time. As the structural elements, such as pre-engineered and mass-produced framing, come custom-built, the onsite construction hardly takes more than one-third the time of a site built home. So, it averages anywhere from six to ten months.

The Design and Construction:

prefabricated house construction

The smartly designed prefabricated houses make a space feel larger than it is. Maximized use of roof space, presence of large and numerous windows, higher quality construction, flexibility and a definitive taste for beauty and sustainable life corroborate to lend magnificence to these homes.

Anyhow, the overall design should follow these five steps:

• Zoning code requirements should be adhered to for ensuring right-of-way.

• In order to avoid delivery problems, the shape of the modular home should comply with the shape of the spot. Obstructions can cause problems whether they are structures, trees or other objects.

• If you wish to resale your house in future, it’s but imperative that you think about the design of the modular house in advance. A home that fits into the area aesthetically is sure to attract more clients.

• After all, homebuilders listed on the Internet may always help you in selecting a specific modular home type for a home site.

The Cost Factor:

prefab homes 3

To be honest, the costs of these beautiful houses vary according to design, area, and designer, of course. The following quote by Allison Arieff, Dwell's editor-in-chief and author of the book Prefab, should make it clear:

Cost is a big factor in why prefab is timely. In my own experience hunting for a house in the San Francisco Bay area, I've been shown shacks for $650 per square foot.

Contrary to such a huge price for a traditional home, a prefab house costs in the range from $100 USD to $150 USD per square foot. It’s attributable to less construction-time which always means less cost.

Green Advantages:

green prefab

Eco-friendly prefab homes utilize nontoxic paints and recycled materials. These houses are generally supplied with solar panels, tank-less water heaters or a hybrid of power systems and energy-conserving appliances. Next, since the houses are wrought in factories under expert supervision, negligible waste is generated. Structural insulated panels show better control the environment inside, check the growth of molds and keep the termites away. Heat-recovery systems, HEPA filters, thermopane glass, Energy Star-rated appliances, and wastewater treatment and rainwater harvesting technologies are the added advantages, if employed.

Where to buy:

Here is a list of some prefabricated home suppliers with their design philosophy:

• Alchemy Architects

alchemy prefab houses zzwfn 11446

Our distinctive hands-on approach to architecture and design combines a playful design process, collaborative relationships with clients and partnerships with builders and fabricators, to create a harmonious blend of site, building, and community. With sustainable practices as a mainstay of our daily work, Alchemy utilizes recycling and reuse along with building strategies that reduce waste.

• Jeriko House

jeriko house

Jeriko House produces the world's finest modular pre-fabricated homes, offering unmatched flexibility of layout, the widest range of materials and thus the greatest personalization.
Designed with the fit and elegance of a contemporary, luxury yacht, engineered with the logic and flexibility of a computer and hand crafted like a piece of fine furniture, Jeriko House is the home you've been waiting for. Not just a discrete product, but also a whole new building system with which you can realize your own vision of modern living.

• Acorn Homes

acorn homes

Acorn Homes offer a seamless blend of traditional architecture and contemporary spaces creating a versatile showcase of design excellence. Exquisite detailing and expansive use of windows create an openness complimented by crisp interior finishes. Bold rooflines and a disciplined geometry bring perfect proportion to its structure, making every Acorn Home feel “just right.” Acorn Homes – designed for comfortable living in extraordinary surroundings.

• OMD Prefab Homes

omd prefab homes

OMD Prefab homes cost about 15% less than conventional building, take less than half the construction time, and employ more sustainable building methods. From careful building orientation to the specification of green materials, we employ sustainable design concepts and details in all our work. We provide design services from feasibility to permitting and construction observation. Respected and trusted, our designs are customized for specific sites and needs, and meet all local building codes and standards.

• itHouse

ithouse

We offer fresh new thinking for sustainable living solutions; the itHouse is precision building system, custom tailored and made to order. Conceived as a minimal house with maximized experience, the itHouse is a highly tuned instrument that is both a “light touch” upon the landscape and a 24/7 resource for self discovery and inspiration.

Popular but not marketable:

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Though the Prefab homes are quite popular in the United States, some stern local building codes, however, do not apply to prefab homes or houses; instead, these houses are built according to specialized guidelines (Federal HUD regulations) for manufactured housing. Therefore, before considering a purchase, it is advised that prefab building and construction laws are thoroughly checked as manufactured homes are not permitted in some communities. So, marketability is quite an issue with these green houses.

Some of the coolest prefab homes:

• Homestead House