Modular homes are assembled on a site and anchored to a base, while a prefab house is transported in one piece to a site and can be relocated. Because they can be moved, manufactured homes are considered movable property (personal property), as are recreational vehicles. Please wait a moment and try again. Modular houses and prefabricated houses differ in terms of surface area and in the type of chassis to which they are attached during construction and transport. The chassis of modular and prefab houses is just one of the differences between modular homes and prefab houses.
Modular home builders also use techniques such as using plasterboard to fasten walls and ceilings with a two-part expandable foam. FHA loans for manufactured homes require a foundation inspection in accordance with the standards set out in the Guide to Permanent Foundations for Prefab Housing. The differences between modular and prefab homes have serious implications when it comes to affordability, financing, long-term value, and a variety of other factors. Both modular and prefab houses are prefabricated houses, meaning that they are partially or fully built in an external factory.
For example, some homeowners association communities may prohibit the construction of any type of prefab house, including modular homes. Modular homes will also have a label certifying that they have been manufactured with the correct UBC and IRC codes. Essentially, this code ensures that modular homes are equipped with all the basic elements necessary to be a safe and habitable environment for those who move in. Modular homes can be difficult to differentiate from other homes and must comply with local building codes and regulations, while prefab homes are built on a fixed chassis and must comply with building codes established by the HUD.
While modular homes have several benefits, such as affordability and ease of financing, they have some drawbacks. However, being integrated into a controlled industrial environment, prefabricated houses also have a shorter and more efficient construction process, no more than two to two and a half months from start to finish. In addition to other considerations, such as customization and mortgage options, knowing the difference between modular and prefab homes will guide you in making the right decision. In addition, most banks and lenders offer financing for modular homes, meaning that buyers often have a good range of mortgage options when it comes time to make a purchase.
Prefab homes, sometimes referred to as mobile homes or trailers, are houses completely built in a factory and built on a fixed steel chassis (instead of a permanent base).
