4 Reasons You Should Choose a Modular Home for Your Primary Residence
During the last couple of years, the price of building (or buying) a home has skyrocketed. We talk to customers every day who are looking for an affordable option for a primary residence. Many are choosing smaller footprints (sometimes referred to as tiny homes) of modular homes for a simplified, more economical option.
Westwood Cabins are prefabricated homes customized to best suit your needs. You can choose from a traditional prefab log cabin style or create a more modern look with smart-lap or board & batten siding. With two styles to choose from and beautiful color choices, the siding options allow you to create a style that more closely resembles a typical primary residence.
Let’s get started with a few basics.
What is a modular prefab home?
Prefab homes (prefabricated homes) are built by manufacturers off-site in a controlled environment and delivered as finished homes that become real, permanent property.
Prefab homes are not the same as mobile homes. A mobile home (also called manufactured homes) has to meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements, whereas prefab homes are required to meet the state and local building codes. This means that prefab homes are required to meet the same building codes as traditional homes.
Modular homes are not park model homes. Westwood cabins are not mounted on wheels, axles, or metal frames. Unlike park model homes (classified as recreational vehicles), prefab homes are permanent structure homes.
Now let’s get down to business.
Benefits of a Prefab Home
Prefab homes are revolutionizing the housing market with their unique approach to construction and design. In fact, the North American prefabricated housing market is expected to reach $12.55 billion in 2024.
A few benefits of prefab homes are as follows.
Cost Efficiency: Prefab homes often come with a lower price tag compared to traditional homes. The factory-based production reduces labor and material costs, making them a budget-friendly option.
Quality Assurance: Because these homes are constructed in a controlled environment, they maintain high quality standards. There’s minimal risk of weather-related delays or damage.
Environmental Sustainability: Another advantage of prefab homes is their eco-friendliness. They are often designed with energy efficiency in mind.
Time Efficiency: The construction time for prefab homes is significantly less than traditional homes. The pre-made components are quickly assembled on-site, allowing for a faster move-in timeline.
Why Choose a Modular Home as Your Primary Residence?
Choosing a modular home as your primary residence means getting a home that's fast to build customizable to your preferences, and high in quality. Let's dive into the specifics of why a modular home could be the right choice for you.
Modular Homes Save Time. Because we build in our factory, there are fewer delays due to weather and other unforeseen events. Plus, on-site construction is minimized which saves time. Modular homes come with just about everything you need, eliminating the hassle of multiple subcontractors. In fact, the only construction that takes place on site is building the foundation. This means you can move into your new home much faster than with traditional construction- a key benefit for homeowners looking for a quick relocation.
Prefab Homes are Customizable. Don’t be fooled by the word “prefab”. It doesn’t mean we have them stacked up on a lot like sheds or storage buildings. We take your ideas and needs and create a custom home unique to you. Just like building a traditional home for a primary residence, you can choose your colors, cabinets, countertops, flooring, windows, and more for a completely custom home! Our customers love the design flexibility of Westwood cabins. You have the freedom to tailor every aspect of your home, ensuring it meets your specific taste and lifestyle needs.
No Surprises! Prebuilt Cabins are Built to Code. All Westwood Cabins undergo a very intense inspection process by a third-party agency to ensure compliance with local residential building codes in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. This means you don’t have to worry about any surprises at the time of delivery. You get a home that's not just up to code, but also built to the highest standards of quality and durability.
Quality & Efficiency. Building the homes in our facility means materials are kept safe and mistakes happen less frequently due to being in a more controlled environment. Once we bring the home sections to your site, there’s less room for error during this final phase of construction. This controlled process leads to better quality construction with less waste, making your home both environmentally responsible and exceptionally well-crafted.
Why Are Modular Homes a Good Investment?
Modular homes are undoubtedly a good investment choice. Unlike mobile homes, they often maintain- and often increase- their value over time. This makes them a financially wise option for investors.
Before investing in modular homes, consider these tips.
Research Manufacturers: Investigate various manufacturers to understand their quality, pricing, and design options. Choose one with a good reputation and positive reviews.
Consider Customization Needs: Think about what customizations you might want. Modular homes offer flexibility, so plan for any features that could increase the home's value.
Assess Financing Options: Understand your financing options. Modular homes sometimes have different financing requirements than traditional homes.
Plan for Additional Costs: Be aware of additional costs, such as transportation of the home sections to your site, and the cost of land if you don't already own a plot.
Inspect the Property Site: Evaluate the site for any potential issues that might affect your modular home investment.
Why Westwood Cabins?
There are many more advantages to buying a prefab cabin or modular home as your primary residence. If you want to learn more about Westwood Cabins, we would love to tell you more. Every home is custom-built by skilled craftsmen right in the heart of South Carolina. We invite you to schedule a factory tour and see how Westwood cabins are built. Our passion is bringing our customers' ideas and visions to life. We even have several prefab cabins available for rent on Airbnb so you can stay in one before making a decision.
Modular homes are a fantastic alternative to the traditional home-building process. We’ve helped many drained house hunters finally get the home of their dreams and would love to help you too!
FAQs
Prefab homes differ from traditional homes mainly in how they are constructed. While traditional homes are built on-site from the ground up, prefab homes are manufactured in sections in a factory setting and then transported to the home site for assembly. This process tends to be faster and can often be more cost-effective than traditional construction.
Yes, prefab homes can usually be financed with traditional mortgages. However, the financing process can be slightly different from that of a traditional home. Be sure to work with a lender familiar with prefab housing to ensure the financing process goes smoothly.
Absolutely. Prefab homes are required to meet the same local building codes and regulations as traditional on-site homes.
When picking a prefab home manufacturer, focus on quality, price, and customization. Or, just skip the search and choose Westwood Sheds! We’re known for our clear pricing structures, wide range of options, and quality craftsmanship. Explore what Westwood Sheds offers today to discover your perfect prefab solution.