A manufactured home generally costs less than a home that is site-built (also called "stick-built"). Amenities, style and local area construction costs will contribute to the overall price.
One factor to consider is the total cost of a manufactured home (including site preparation and other construction costs) to those of a site-built home. If you look into it thoroughly, you will soon see that there can be huge savings involved.
The current labor costs and the prices of the associated materials, which are different in each area, will set the actual construction costs. It's impossible to state construction cost averages that would be valid all over the country. They vary from region to region. On the other hand, when you look into the situation yourself, as to your own locality, weighing all aspects of prefabricated houses and houses constructed on-site, you will get a much better idea of the bottom line.
If you know people in the home construction industry, they can be valuable sources of information. When comparing the two types of construction methods, keep these things in mind:
If you are deciding between the two methods of construction, one important aspect to consider is that the cost of site work is about the same for both. Keep in mind that any type of construction will need a water source, a sewage system, a power source linked to the site, finish grading of dirt, and landscaping. Thus, the costs for these features are about the same for either type of construction.
At the very beginning of the project the initial cost savings are realized. A manufactured home does not require architectural design services, as all of the engineering is done 'in house'. The materials, both type and quantity, are the same, but a manufactured home, which is built in a factory, has many advantages. Local building authorities need not review detailed construction prints since the house plans for a manufactured home are approved by the federal government during the permit application and review process. This also cuts the time it takes for permits to be approved by the building department.
Today's manufactured home builders buy their materials in bulk, taking advantage of volume discount pricing. These savings are then passed on to the consumer.
In the factory environment, pieces such as studs, joisting and siding are available in pre-cut lengths and widths, decreasing the waste. Much waste is incurred during on-site construction, and the cost of removing scrap-building materials should not be overlooked.
Transporting equipment and laborers to a site-built construction project on a daily basis can get very expensive. With a factory environment, all tools and equipment for construction stay in place, and the workers travel to the fixed location daily. This method keeps factory labor line costs lower than on-site construction labor due to no start-of-the-day set up, no end-of-the-day clean up, and the permanent building location.
Since the HUD (Housing and Urban Development) building code applies to all manufactured homes, they generally do not fall under the jurisdiction of local building authorities. Therefore, fewer interruptions, all of which come with a cost, arise during construction because of local building inspections, and any necessary corrections arising from them.
The time it takes for on-site construction of the home is vastly reduced, because the major home sections are joined together over a foundation, with utilities already connected, and inside flooring and interior drywall completed. As with everything else, less labor hours lowers construction costs.
Since there is a shorter time for construction on manufactured homes, there is also a shorter construction loan period. Because of the shorter period, you will spend less money on interest payments, and you may be able to lock in a permanent interest rate sooner.
If you know someone in residential construction, ask them how much a home costs per square foot, including all necessary permits and amenities. That will give you a point of comparison when inquiring about manufactured homes. You'll definitely notice the possible savings.
