5 Common Issues With Prefab Homes

Some people think that choosing a prefab (prefabricated) or modular home will cost far less time and money than a traditionally built house. There are also studies that show that modular homes are more environmentally friendly, but most of the tests are inconclusive. A prefab home is one where parts of its architecture are built in a factory and then assembled on a chosen lot. It might sound quick, easy and affordable, but there are many issues with prefab housing that can actually cost you more time and money in the long run. In some cases, if you have the perfect lot and the structure you are building isn’t that complicated, modular housing might be a wise investment. Yet, most of the time, it is not. Here are 5 common issues with prefab homes.

1. One of the biggest issues with prefab homes is that they still need all the basic requirements as a home built from scratch needs. A modular home is not at all like a trailer where you can just park and move in. The house still needs to be tethered to a foundation that you need to build before the prefab home can be placed, it needs plumbing, and a number of other requirements that make a home a legal and safe. Most of the time this is just as expensive as building the home from scratch.
2. Next, you can’t just place a modular or prefab home just anywhere. If you think about it, there are a number of different types of terrain where a modular home just wouldn’t fit. Prefab homes are not built for steep hilly areas and they are not equipped for different types of dirt, soil and silt. If you do want to build your prefab home in an area that won’t usually accommodate a modular home, you will need to hire a contractor to level the earth and make sure the ground beneath it can hold it in place over a long period of time.
3. Purchasing a prefab home is not like purchasing a new car where you can add on a bunch of features that the dealer or manufacturer has available. Prefab homes are built-to-order according to strict set of guidelines and blueprints, and come as is. If you want a home that you can personalize, it might cost just as much to consult with an architect and build the home yourself.
4. Modular homes can also be very boring. Like most products that are mass-produced, the manufacturer will usually want to find the quickest and fastest way to design, build and ship your prefab home. In this case, a lot of the fine details are gone in the process and the house can have a very impersonal or bland look about it.
5. Lastly, you can consult with Movoto agents to find a real estate professional who can help you find the best deal on a house built from scratch, because prefab homes might actually be bad for your health. A lot of the chemicals and materials used to make the home in a factory can cause respiratory and other health problems. If you want to find a home to start a family and raise kids, your best option is probably to build it yourself.