Tidewater Custom Modular Homes Blog

We get this question all the time.  "What is the price of a modular home?" Just like with stick built homes, so many things come into play in making this determination.

Ranch homes generally cost more per square foot  than a two story home. In the end however, they end up having a lower final price because they have less square footage. The fixed costs: foundation, site preparation and septic, all cost the same no matter what style home you build. Two story homes  use a smaller foundation. However, the square footage is greater because you have more than one floor. The larger the home, the more modules you will require, and more modules means higher costs. When you customize the modular floor plan, the costs increase as well.

Modular manufacturers have factory model homes which cost less than custom designed homes. Obviously custom designed homes will cost more.

For more information on the cost of a modular home, contact Tidewater Custom Modular Homes.

We are often asked this question “What is the Difference Between a Manufactured Home and a Modular Home?”and it is a good one. With today’s advances in the factory built construction industry, it is difficult to know the difference between a manufactured home and a modular home. This blog is designed to clarify the distinctions.

Essentially, a manufactured home is built in a factory and remains on its transport frame throughout its useful life. The truck backs into the desired location and unhooks the chassis and drives off.

A modular home is built in a factory in the form of modules. The modules are built to your desired design and floor plan, and built to exact and stringent specifications and standards. The modules are then taken via transporter from the factory to the site. It is then lifted off the transport trailer by crane and set on and connected to a permanent foundation.

Although manufactured homes come in double width units, they are never more than two boxes, or modules, and never have a second story. Conversely, modular homes can be any number of boxes; they can be designed as small vacation homes or large estate style homes and everything in between. A standard colonial style home would likely by four boxes.

Modular construction is one of the fastest growing forms of home building in the market today. Increased efficiency and our ability to apply modern technology to the needs of the market place are what make it so desirable. Tidewater Custom Modular Homes offers designs that encompass the entire spectrum of the market; from affordable single-family designs to high end luxury homes to vacation getaways. The combination of reduced construction time, more efficient construction and unlimited customization are the primary reasons why many home buyers are switching from traditional stick-building to modular home construction.

One question always seems to come up in our conversation with people as they contemplate their choice between a stick built home and a modular home.  “Which type of home is stronger, modular or traditional?” The general consensus is that modular homes are stronger. They are built in a controlled environment where outside elements cannot add wear and tear. Modular home builders also use screws instead of nails and add glue to all the joints to increase the strength of the home.

Today’s modular homes rival any site-built home in design and functionality. Advancements in computer design and factory technology allows almost any custom home plan to be constructed as a modular home. For buyers interested in a fine-crafted home that can be built and completed in a fraction of the time of a conventional home, modular homes have become the preferred type of construction by many.

Have you ever dreamed of building your own custom home?  A home that is perfectly suited for your lifestyle?  There are many advantages to building a custom modular home in Virginia or North Carolina over buying a home that is already built. However, there are countless decisions to make and questions to answer before your vision can become a reality.

After choosing the location, one of the hardest decisions will be whether to build a one-story modular home or a traditional two-story custom modular home. This is something that only you can decide. It mostly depends on your needs at the time you make the decision. For instance, a single person will have completely different needs than a family with children.

Let's break the two home styles down and use some of our most popular homes as a guide for the two:

• One-story home:  consider our popular Ranch Style modular home
  • Ranch style homes appeal to families with young children. Keeping the younger ones off the stairs is big on the priority list
  • A one-story home is easier to clean
  • In the event of a fire, ranch style homes are easier to escape because there are no second floor windows
  • Achieving the right temperature in a one-story home is easier than in a two-story home.
  • A ranch home requires more land than a two-story home
  • For older adults a ranch style home might accommodate better to their needs. Climbing stairs becomes more difficult as we get older
  • Ranch homes allow the home builder to vary the ceiling heights, making it more attractive

• Two-story home:  consider our Traditional 2-Story Modular Homes
  • A two-story home is built on a smaller foot print
  • For a custom home builder, two-story homes are easier and cheaper to build
  • For families with older children, the stairs might become an advantage. They offer greater separation of living areas
  • Even the inconvenience of going up or down the stairs can be turned into a positive by exercise enthusiasts. They consider the trek a form of daily exercise
  • A vacuum cleaner feels a lot heavier when you have to drag it to different floors
  • The luxury of a two-story home gives you confidence and security
  • Two-story residents feel safer from the threat of a burglar

There are many more factors in your decision, obviously, but this list is intended to bring out points of discussion for your selection. While both selections will give you quality and assurance when it comes to what you need the decision is purely yours. Deciding to build a custom home is not for the faint hearted. We are here to help in any way possible when deciding your dream home, so if you have any questions or concerns contact us today.