How you can save big money and conserve resources when
making structural choices.
While working in the modular home industry I was always very impressed with the amount of
research potential customers had done, not just on the particular company that I was
working for, but on the industry as a whole. The typical modular home buyer is very
educated about current construction methods and trends and has a good idea of what they
wanted and often has a prepared list of questions ready to ask when they visit a builder.
Today's tip may help you save a thousand dollars or more, as well as preserve the
environment.
If you have already been through the process of poring over the all of the various options
given by many builders of custom modular homes you are aware that they are numerous
and the decision whether to choose options or upgrades can result in a very large variance
in cost depending on what you choose. Some of the choices involve aesthetic items, such
as cabinet style and color, paint color, etc. Most modular builders also have structural and
insulation options that affect the durability of the house, what repairs may be needed years
from now, and even the amount you pay for electricity each month. Today's tip involves the
framing technique used when building your home.
One thing that I noticed a lot of the most discriminating buyers asked about was whether the
framing was built on 24 or 16 inch centers. Most people considered 16 inch centers
superior, because obviously if the structure was reinforced every 16 inches instead of 24
the construction would be sturdier and hold up better against the elements. Most modular
companies use 2 x 4s on 16 inch centers or 2 x 6s on 24 inch centers. An option of 2 x 6s
on 16 inch centers is generally offered for several hundred dollars extra. This is where you
need to be careful. Recent studies have shown that homes constructed with walls using 2 x
6s on 24 inch centers are still as structurally as sound as 2 x 4s on 16 inch centers.
However, when builders use 2 x 6s and continue to build on 16 inch centers it not only
results in higher costs for more lumber, but the extra wood also breaks up the space used
for insulation and makes the house less energy efficient than it would be if the builder had
built on 24 inch centers. All this may seem a little complicated to the average buyer, but if
you remember these two things you should be ok:
1. A home built with 2 x 6 exterior walls is superior to one using 2 x 4s because of the ability
to use thicker insulation, resulting in lower electric bills.
2. It is not necessary to upgrade to framing on 16 inch centers - it will cost more and in fact
may make your home less energy-efficient.
making structural choices.
While working in the modular home industry I was always very impressed with the amount of
research potential customers had done, not just on the particular company that I was
working for, but on the industry as a whole. The typical modular home buyer is very
educated about current construction methods and trends and has a good idea of what they
wanted and often has a prepared list of questions ready to ask when they visit a builder.
Today's tip may help you save a thousand dollars or more, as well as preserve the
environment.
If you have already been through the process of poring over the all of the various options
given by many builders of custom modular homes you are aware that they are numerous
and the decision whether to choose options or upgrades can result in a very large variance
in cost depending on what you choose. Some of the choices involve aesthetic items, such
as cabinet style and color, paint color, etc. Most modular builders also have structural and
insulation options that affect the durability of the house, what repairs may be needed years
from now, and even the amount you pay for electricity each month. Today's tip involves the
framing technique used when building your home.
One thing that I noticed a lot of the most discriminating buyers asked about was whether the
framing was built on 24 or 16 inch centers. Most people considered 16 inch centers
superior, because obviously if the structure was reinforced every 16 inches instead of 24
the construction would be sturdier and hold up better against the elements. Most modular
companies use 2 x 4s on 16 inch centers or 2 x 6s on 24 inch centers. An option of 2 x 6s
on 16 inch centers is generally offered for several hundred dollars extra. This is where you
need to be careful. Recent studies have shown that homes constructed with walls using 2 x
6s on 24 inch centers are still as structurally as sound as 2 x 4s on 16 inch centers.
However, when builders use 2 x 6s and continue to build on 16 inch centers it not only
results in higher costs for more lumber, but the extra wood also breaks up the space used
for insulation and makes the house less energy efficient than it would be if the builder had
built on 24 inch centers. All this may seem a little complicated to the average buyer, but if
you remember these two things you should be ok:
1. A home built with 2 x 6 exterior walls is superior to one using 2 x 4s because of the ability
to use thicker insulation, resulting in lower electric bills.
2. It is not necessary to upgrade to framing on 16 inch centers - it will cost more and in fact
may make your home less energy-efficient.
Some Things To Consider When Pricing Modular Homes
This series of tips will give you great information that will help you understand what is
involved in determining the pricing of modular homes. Jack Bowman gives you tips
from his experience as a sales professional in the modular home industry.
This series of tips will give you great information that will help you understand what is
involved in determining the pricing of modular homes. Jack Bowman gives you tips
from his experience as a sales professional in the modular home industry.
