{"id":22056,"date":"2022-09-16T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-16T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/?p=22056"},"modified":"2022-09-07T15:48:28","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T19:48:28","slug":"what-is-a-modular-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/what-is-a-modular-home","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s a Modular Home and Should You Buy One?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<p>Finding your dream home can be an expensive and lengthy process if you go the traditional-build route. However, not every home has to be a conventional property type. Instead, some choose modular homes that allow for more freedom and flexibility. But, you might be wondering \u2014 what&#8217;s a modular home?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A modular home can offer a faster and potentially cheaper alternative to homeownership. Here&#8217;s what to know when determining if a modular home is right for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;what's-a-modular-home?<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>What&#8217;s a Modular Home?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/What-is-a-modular-home-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"What's a modular home\" class=\"wp-image-22057\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you ever seen a home towed behind a truck and wondered, &#8216;what the heck is that?&#8217; It&#8217;s likely a modular home.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Modular homes, referred to as prefab homes, are built offsite in a factory rather than directly on a plot of land. They are made in sections then and then trucked to the plot of land where builders assemble them, almost like Lego blocks. Modular homes can come in all kinds of sizes and styles. They can be made based on pre-existing plans or built based on customer requests.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;are-modular-homes-safe?<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>Are Modular Homes Safe?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some preconceived notions imply modular homes are not as good as traditional builds. In the past, they have had a reputation for being a poorer build and, as a result, can be more challenging to sell on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, however, any assumptions that modular homes are less safe or not built as durably as traditional homes are false. A modular home is likely higher-quality since it is made in a factory. These factories have strict quality control and standards that workers monitor regularly.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/how-to-find-tiny-home-builders\">How To Find Tiny Home Builders<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>One could even argue that today things are the other way around because traditional builds might not have the same high standards as factory settings and don&#8217;t have the same monitoring and quality assurance standard. But all homes in Canada need to follow specific building codes to be deemed safe.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;typical-features-of-a-modular-home<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>Typical Features of a Modular Home<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Building-a-modular-home-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"What's a modular home\" class=\"wp-image-22059\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Professionals build modular homes in sections that they then assemble on the plot of land. They can sometimes be confused with manufactured homes built offsite at a factory. However, the big difference is that manufactured homes come as one entire unit. Builders make modular homes with the ability to relocate in mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As such, they typically don&#8217;t build on a foundation. We still consider modular homes permanent, so even though they make these property types at a factory, they are assembled on a foundation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-a-modular-home?<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>What are the Pros and Cons of a Modular Home?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like any other type of build, modular homes have pros and cons to consider.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;pros<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>High construction standards.<\/li><li>Shorter building time.<\/li><li>It can be customizable.<\/li><li>Building a modular home is considered a &#8216;green&#8217; process because it reduces material waste, transportation impact, energy use, and operational impact.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;cons<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Finding an appropriate plot of land for a modular home can be tricky. You may need help from a professional.<\/li><li>Customizable but only to an extent- it has to be within the factory&#8217;s ability.<\/li><li>The foundation, electricity, plumbing, and ductwork are usually not included, so they will have to add them on after (at an additional cost).<\/li><li>Reputation: some people believe modular homes are not as well-built, which might make selling more difficult.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;how-much-does-a-modular-home-cost-in-canada?<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>How Much Does a Modular Home Cost in Canada?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Modular-homes-in-Canada-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"What's a modular home\" class=\"wp-image-22058\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>So what&#8217;s the cost of a\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/homeguide.com\/costs\/modular-home-prices\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">modular home<\/a>? Well, builders will provide you with the base quote when you look at quotes. On average, you can expect the base price to be between $50-$100 per square foot. However, this depends on the floor plan, the home&#8217;s size, and any customizations you add.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/how-much-is-my-home-worth\">How Much is Your Home Worth?<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>On top of that, you need to consider the set-up and installation of the modular home. Again, this can vary from vendor to vendor, so you must confirm what the builder includes in their deal. The set-up fee typically consists of the foundation and land preparation, the installation process, and required permits. This will add another $30-$60 per square foot bumping you up to $80-$160 per square foot to build and install the home.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember that this price does not include the cost of the plot of land. In addition, there will be another cost for installing the modular home or installing electricity and plumbing. So, don&#8217;t forget to factor these costs in when determining the price of a modular home in Canada.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;can-you-save-a-lot-of-money-on-a-modular-home?<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>Can You Save a Lot of Money on a Modular Home?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"667\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/modular-homes.png\" alt=\"What's a modular home\" class=\"wp-image-22061\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that there is no more wondering about what&#8217;s a modular home let&#8217;s talk about the savings. One of the biggest draws for modular homes is the expectation that they will cost less than a traditional build. In many situations, this is true. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, modular homes can\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/homeguide.com\/costs\/modular-home-prices\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cost 10-20% less<\/a>\u00a0than conventional homes because they build modular homes in a factory, which can often get supplies and materials ordered at a bulk discount.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said,&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca\/en\/nhs\/nhs-project-profiles\/2021-nhs-projects\/key-lessons-modular-housing-across-canada\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">modular homes aren&#8217;t always more affordable<\/a>. The factory may not be able to get bulk discounts, and their labour fees might be more than what you would pay for a traditional build. You also need to take into consideration the type of home you want. If you are choosing a pretty standard modular home, then yes, you likely can save money. However, if you select a model with many bedrooms and customizable features, the price will go up accordingly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Looking for a cost-effective option to home buying? Check out modular homes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":22060,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"guide":[],"class_list":["post-22056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle"],"acf":[],"zolo_excerpt":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22056","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/95"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22056"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22056\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22064,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22056\/revisions\/22064"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22060"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22056"},{"taxonomy":"guide","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guide?post=22056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}