Modular Homes - Good/Bad experiences... I am considering this pretty seriously...

camshawn · Aug 29, 2023

We have a had a modular home for 25+ yrs in western Canada. Only normal wear and tear. There are a couple of cracks from settlement now and we have a new roof. The down side for us is the drywall is 3/8 not 1/2 And some areas have vinyl coat drywall. Makes it a little harder to renovate things. The inside walls are framed with 2x3 so if you slam a door, the wall doesn’t feel as solid. The cost and timeline were the big sellers for us at the time. We would do it again. Cam

Mtsoxfan · Aug 30, 2023

Is it a modular home or mobile home? Two different homes. Surprised that 2x3 walls, must be frigid in winter. While we have no building codes in my town, VT requires snow load levels, as well as insulation levels, window insulation levels. Min R 60 in ceiling/attic.

MAX-24-Dean · Aug 30, 2023

My take on modular homes is, depends on the standards of the manufacturer. I purchased a 24x48 modular in 1984 and placed it on 10 acres. The home was a rental for a number of years. It was built with 2x6 exterior walls and the roof was designed for a 50 lb snow load. Sheetrock as good as the day it was placed on the property. It never had any repairs in 37 years. Sold it a couple of years ago.

workinonit · Aug 30, 2023

They are the first ones the roof blows off of in a hurricane around here.

Topzide · Aug 30, 2023

I'm living in a Nanticoke Modular that was built in '89 and I bought in '94. Better built then stick for sure! Drywall was glued and nailed. Little to none of pops of nails do to gluing. Can't tell from the curb, only way is inside do to marriage wall. Double band board and 2 x 10 floor joist with 2 x 8 ceiling joist. Been a great home and well insulated. Replaced windows due to builders grade Anderson.

workinonit · Aug 30, 2023

Topzide said:
I'm living in a Nanticoke Modular that was built in '89 and I bought in '94. Better built then stick for sure!

It's a bit silly to say a modular home is better built than a stick home. I'm not very smart but I'm pretty sure that depends on the stick home that is being compared to. Lots of ways to build a house that's way better than a modular home.

Topzide · Aug 30, 2023

A modular home is built inside or at least under a roof and not out in the weather! Seen very few stick built in same price range that can compare to a modular! Yes, there is a give and take on any house built. Some builders do a better job, but that comes at a price!

camshawn · Aug 31, 2023

Inside walls are 2x3 With 3/8 wall board.

outside walls are 2x4 offset with another 2x4 on a 2x6 top/bottom plate. The outside wall is not touching the inside wall (except the top and bottom plate) so there is better sound attenuation.

BravoXray · Aug 31, 2023

My parents bought a modular home about 20 years ago. Was built in Plymouth, IN, don't remember the maker, but it was a really well built home, 6" walls, 2 X 10 floor joists, good quality doors and windows. I don't think there was any drywall cracking from the transport from Plymouth. Was well insulated and quiet inside. They put it on a full basement with mechanicals down there.
They really liked it.

workinonit · Sep 1, 2023

Topzide said:
A modular home is built inside or at least under a roof and not out in the weather! Seen very few stick built in same price range that can compare to a modular! Yes, there is a give and take on any house built. Some builders do a better job, but that comes at a price!

What does building them inside a building have to do with their quality? Again, an absurd statement. My house was completed and never got rained on a day. I can go through the construction but I can tell you it won't compare. What I can tell you about a modular home around here is if you buy one you better like it because you can't sell it. As far as price, what I read says $40 to $80 per foot with finished prices at $100 to $200 per foot. And that's a middle of the road build.