Prefabricated
Houses (also called “prefab” homes or manufactured homes) are those
that are entirely constructed off-site and then positioned onto the building
site when completed. Prefab homes have many advantages. Because they are built
in a controlled environment, they can be built much more quickly than a
traditional home, as inclement weather and unforeseen site conditions will not
slow the progress. They also produce less waste, as they are designed in
convenient sizes that allow for maximum utilization of stock materials. This
makes them less expensive and more environmentally friendly than traditional
homes. If you want to buy a prefabricated home, note that the process will
differ from a traditional home search. See the following tips of purchasing a
prefabricated home.

Choose a
building site. When buying a prefabricated home, you need to have a building
site chosen in advance. This is important for two reasons. The first reason is
to make sure you can legally place a prefab home on the site. Many local
regulations, such as neighborhood covenants, place restrictions on prefab
homes. Some regulations may ban these homes altogether, while others may define
the permissible appearance and size of the home. These regulations are usually
designed to ensure a cohesive neighborhood appearance. And the second reason is
to ensure your building site is flat enough. A disadvantage to prefabricated
homes is that they can’t accommodate diverse site conditions as well as
site-built homes. They generally need a flat building pad on which to be
positioned. Even though a flat pad can be cleared onto a sloped site, you
should ensure that the cut is not so dramatic that it will cause drainage
problems.

Browse for
a prefab manufacturer. Choosing a prefab manufacturer differs from choosing a
builder for a site-built home, because each manufacturer produces their own
style of home. When choosing a builder, consider all factors that are important
to you, such as pricing, aesthetics, and customer feedback. You can also browse
for prefab builders using online directories.

Ensure that
you understand which expenses are covered in the manufacturer’s pricing model.
Pricing a prefab home can be more complicated than simply paying a builder or
homeowner a flat fee. Make sure you understand exactly what is included in the
manufacturer’s price. Sometimes the price will include the entire home, but
will not include transportation and site work costs for getting the building to
the site and installing it. Other pricing models may exclude all finishes,
furnishings, or even electrical and mechanical equipment.

Determine
whether you can customize the home’s structure and appearance. The options vary
widely between manufacturers on this point. Some builders may allow little or
even no customization. Others may offer certain predetermined options such as
adding a porch or adding windows in certain locations. Still other builders may
offer complete flexibility in designing the home. Note that all these
customization options will entail an added cost.

Evaluate
your financing options. After ensuring that you understand the full costs of
the prefab home and budgeting for those costs, approach a bank about financing
the purchase. Most banks will extend the same mortgage opportunities to buyers
of both prefab homes and site-built homes. However, it may be more difficult
for your bank to assess the value of a more unique prefab home, and so your
mortgage terms may suffer.