Modular Homes: New or Old Construction?
Contrary to popular belief, modular homes have existed for over a century.
Some even claim the first modular construction was brought to America from England in the 1600s, but we’ll focus mainly on the 1900s.
Over the past century, home-building technology has advanced, allowing us to build homes in various ways.
Manufactured and modular homes are constructed in a factory and transported onto your land or lot.
Traditional site-built homes significantly differ because they are constructed on-site from the foundation up.
Modular home construction changes with the trends and uses the latest technology.
Because of this, they’re much more energy-efficient, which means lower monthly energy costs.
For the homeowner, that means getting your dream home while remaining within your budget.
A Look Back to the Early 1900s
Modular home construction first gained popularity in the early 20th century, and growth hasn’t slowed since!
Between 1910 and 1940, Sears, Roebuck and Co. sold over 500,000 prefabricated homes.
The founder of Baird Mobile Homes, Cliff Baird, saw the demand and jumped at the opportunity.
Baird Mobile Homes was born in 1947 and has provided quality homes ever since.
The Post-World War II Building Boom
Modular home construction exploded and significantly evolved at the end of World War II.
Veterans returned home after the war, looking to embrace the American Dream of starting a family and becoming homeowners.
The demand for inventory was so great that traditional home builders couldn’t keep up.
This led people to look for more efficient, lower-cost alternatives outside traditional construction.
Because of the increased demand, manufacturers worked double time to make their craft more efficient and effective.
This sped up construction time and led to safer, larger, and more customizable homes.
People found that modular homes are often more affordable than site-built homes, as their shorter build time saves money on construction costs.
The Evolution of Modular Construction
In the last twenty years, we have seen tremendous evolution in modular home construction.
Unlike a traditionally site-built home, which requires inspections throughout the construction process, modular home inspections are typically done in the factory before they ship, with a final on-site inspection to ensure all finished work is safely completed to code.
Modular homes are constructed to the same code as site-built homes with requirements set forth by state and local government.
The primary difference is that manufactured home requirements are implemented in a controlled factory.
Overhead cranes with a lift capacity of 100 tons or more have allowed the construction of larger home modules that can then be shipped cross-country.
The only limitation is the size of each module due to the width of the road from the factory to the building site.
Today, a typical modular home can consist of anywhere from 2 to 6 modules.
As home sizes have increased since the 1980s, the customization options for modular construction have kept pace.
Now, you can find models ranging from 500 to 2400 square feet with various cosmetic options to fit different tastes and styles.
