What is a Building System?
A building
system is a highly engineered method of producing
buildings or building components in an efficient and cost
effective manner. The use of building systems is common
in many different types of residential and commercial
construction. A modular home is the culmination of one
type of building system. Modular homes begin as
components; designed, engineered and assembled in the
controlled environment of a modern factory sometimes
hundreds of miles away from their final destination.
After delivery to the job site, the components are erected
on a permanent foundation, where the construction process
is completed.
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Tell me more about the Modular Home Building Process.
The building
process begins at the design phase. At North American
Housing Corp. we use state-of-the-art computer assisted
design software to produce drawings and material
requirement lists. Once designed, the building process
begins. This process is similar to building on site. The
quality materials and care for detail and the same
building codes and standards are observed. So what's
different? Efficiency and quality control! Efficiency
begins with modern factory assembly line techniques.
Modular units are moved from work-station to work-station,
where each of the building trades is represented. Work is
never delayed by weather, subcontractor no-shows or
missing material. Quality engineering and modular
construction techniques significantly increase the energy
efficiency of the modular units. A quality control
process provides assurance that the units have been
inspected for code compliance and workmanship. In-plant
inspectors as well as independent agencies inspect the
units on behalf of your state and local government.
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How long does it take to build a modular home?
Two of the
many advantages for choosing modular components are speed
and consistent quality. On the average, the modular units
can be produced and delivered within 6-10 weeks. Erection
and on-site completion will vary, but can be as little as
two weeks.
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What is the difference between the terms "Manufactured
Housing" and "System's-Built Modular Homes"?
According to
the National Association of Home Builders, manufactured
homes, sometimes referred to as mobile homes, are another
type of building system and are constructed to a different
building standard. This standard, the Federal
Construction Safety Standards Act (HUD/CODE), unlike
conventional building codes, requires manufactured homes
to be constructed on a non-removable steel chassis. Many
communities have restrictions on where manufactured homes
can be located. Systems-built modular and site-built
homes on the other hand, are constructed to the same
building codes, those required by your state, county and
specific locality and therefore are not restricted by
building or zoning regulations. Your new system's-built
modular home is inspected at the assembly plant during
each phase of construction. Evidence of this inspection
is normally shown by the application of a state or
inspection agency label of approval.
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What do System’s-Built Modular homes look like?
System’s-built modular homes look like any other home.
Today’s building technology has allowed manufacturer’s to
build most any style of home from a single story rambler
to a multi-story customized contemporary. And, it doesn’t
stop with houses. System’s-built modular producers are
busy building banks, schools, office buildings, motels and
hotels. Chances are you’ve been in many modular structures
and probably never realized it.
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Is financing any different between site-built homes and
System’s-Built Modular Homes?
No
distinction is made between system’s-built modular homes
and site-built homes as far as appraisal or financing.
Banks and lending institutions treat both types of
construction the same. Likewise, there is no difference in
insuring the system’s-built modular home.
Today, lenders
recognize the value of systems-built modular components as
a viable alternative to traditional construction.
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What is the cost?
When you add
up all the labor, material and time savings inherent in
the modular building process, you will find that the cost
to build a modular home is generally lower than a
site-built home of comparable size.
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