The Science of Modular Home Construction
Modular designed homes are typically factory drawn and prefabricated structures. The houses are generally not only very affordable, but the buildings are considered environmentally friendly because the construction method does not waste as much lumber as other types of home building. In addition, the houses generally have higher insulation values. So, what makes modular homes special? The on-site construction.
Like other general contractors, a modular home contractor oversees the foundation’s digging and pouring. If a basement is requested, the managers can supervise the digging, insulating, and completion of the outside walls of the underground area as well. When the separate sections of the house arrive on-site, the contractor must be ready to begin putting the home together right away.
A modular unit consisting of walls, floors, and ceilings can be put together in a specially designed, climate-controlled factory. Each unit can be calculated by a computer in such specific detail that each unit can fit against another with less than a half-inch of difference. For this reason, the finished modular sections can often be joined with pinpoint exactness.
A major difference between general contractors and a modular contractor is often found in dealing with subcontractors. Plumbing, insulation, and wiring can be included in the modular homes at the factory site. The modular contractor does not have to worry about waiting for materials to be delivered or for subcontractors to show up. Instead, the contractor can manage the construction of units into a home quickly and efficiently.
Another difference between modular home builders and stick builders may be the need of a crane on modular sites. The crane can be used to lift sections of the home into place and hold the piece until the units are securely attached.
It can often take as little as one month to complete construction of the building of modular homes from start to finish. Once the modular home is completed, the only thing left to do is may be landscaping the yard and throwing a house-warming party.