What is the difference between a mobile home, manufactured home, and a modular home?
There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to the terms: mobile home, manufactured home, and modular home. In a nutshell, here’s the difference: Manufactured homesandmobile homesare both regulated by HUD, the Housing and Urban Development division of the federal government. According to HUD, a factory-built home prior to June 15, 1976 is a mobile home and one built after June 15, 1976 (when HUD code was first established) is a manufactured home. Both mobile homes and manufactured homes are prefabricated structures, built in a factory on a permanently attached chassis before being transported to site. A modular home, on the other hand, is built to the same local, county, and state building codes as a site-built home.
Let’s take a deeper look at today’s home construction processes for both a manufactured home and a modular home and see how the two compare.
Common Misunderstandings
The only difference is how they are set up
There is a difference in how they look
There is a difference in how they are delivered
The foundation makes the difference
Modular vs. Manufactured Home Construction
Manufactured homes are built under the HUD construction code, first established in June 1976. HUD Determines the wind, snow, and energy loads that the home must meet. Manufactured homes do not require a permanent foundation. However, some lenders may require that depending on the loan program that you go through. When placed on permanent foundations they can be classified as real estate for taxing purposes, but will always be appraised as a manufactured home.
Modular homes are built in compliance with localized building and safety requirements, the same as site-built homes. Texas approved the IRC code for modular homes in 2001. The IRC code meets or exceeds the construction codes for site-built requirements and as such, allows for the placement of the modular coded home on to residential zoned properties. A municipality may not differentiate between modular homes built under the Texas IHB program and site-built homes. Check the deed restrictions on the property. The city cannot prohibit a modular home constructed under this program from being placed in an area zoned for single-family housing, or a modular office building from being placed in an area zoned for offices. However, you must abide by any deed restrictions and subdivision or architectural controls.
Basic Construction Differences
Typically a modular home will require a heavier lumber package with extra materials being incorporated into the wall structures and framing. Additionally, there are slight differences in the electrical systems, plumbing, and the HVAC systems.
When Oak Creek builds a modular house the following come with the home:
Multiple 3rd party inspections before final approval
Foundations
All modular homes require a permanent foundation system. There are different styles of foundations – runners, ribbons, slab, stem wall, pier. Any system you use should be designed by an engineer and needs to pass local inspection. Modular homes can be built “on frame” or “off frame” depending on your preference. Off frame mods have 2 x 10 floor joists and the delivery chassis is removed from under the home.
Considerations
Financing: Who owns the land? Manufactured homes can be financed without involving the land as part of the transaction. In cases where there is family land or land being offered for use without transfer of ownership, manufactured homes are a great option.
Homesite Selection: Are there any zoning restrictions? Inside of city limits, manufactured homes may be restricted to certain areas or locations. Those restrictions do not apply to modular.
Budget: What budget are you working with? The cost to build a modular home will be higher than building a manufactured home
The small voice. – for lack of a better term, what do you feel in your gut?
Contact Us
We hope you’ve found this information helpful. Oak Creek Homes has over 100 floor plans to choose from. Many of our homes can be built with the modular construction standard. If you would like more information or have additional questions about manufactured home and modular home construction just fill out the form below. We’ll put you in touch with the home display center nearest you. A team member can help walk you through the process of home selection and design as well as assist with financing and site preparation for the home you choose.
Manufactured Home Buying: Part 1 – Choosing a builder and choosing a home
Manufactured Home Buying: Part 2 – Financing Options
Manufactured Home Buying: Part 3 – Home Site Selection and Preparation
Oak Creek Homes is the Oldest Manufactured Home Dealer in Texas!
Manufactured home builder Oak Creek Homes has been building mobile, manufactured, and modular homes for over 50 years! We have a home manufacturing factory in Ft. Worth, Texas and a home manufacturing factory in Lancaster, Texas. Oak Creek homes can be purchased at any of our 18 Home Centers across Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
Oak Creek Homes
We have built over 50,000 homes; quality designs for first-time homebuyers to spacious floorplans filled with long lists of options and comforts. There are a lot of reasons to feel comfortable about choosing Oak Creek Homes, from our available 7-Year Service Protection Plan* to our Quality Care** installation program.
Both mobile homes and manufactured homes are prefabricated structures
prefabricated structures
A prefabricated building, informally a prefab, is a building that is manufactured and constructed using prefabrication. It consists of factory-made components or units that are transported and assembled on-site to form the complete building.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Prefabricated_building
, built in a factory on a permanently attached chassis before being transported to site. A modular home, on the other hand, is built to the same local, county, and state building codes as a site-built home.
Their mobility aside, modular and manufactured homes have several key differences. Modular homes are assembled on a site and anchored to a foundation, whereas a manufactured home is transported in one piece to a site and can be relocated.
The Difference Between Mobile and Manufactured Homes
The only difference between the two types of homes is the date they were built. According to HUD, a factory-built home prior to June 15, 1976 is a mobile home and one built after June 15, 1976 is a manufactured home.
While modular homes are built on a removable chassis, manufactured homes are fixed to a permanent chassis, which helps guarantee its mobility if desired by the homeowner later on.
While modular homes are built on a removable chassis, manufactured homes are fixed to permanent chassis, which helps guarantee its mobility if desired by the homeowner later on.
Of course, modular houses have their downsides. These include less customization capabilities than stick-built homes. The cost of the land and construction of the home may be higher than some people can afford, land restrictions, and perceive quality issues. Modular homes may also have more a complicated loan process.
Is it cheaper to buy a modular home or build? In most cases, modular homes are less expensive than building a house, mainly because there's less labor involved.
A disadvantage of buying a mobile home is that its value will depreciate quickly. Like a new car, once a mobile home leaves the factory, it quickly drops in value. Stick-built homes, on the other hand, normally appreciate in value over time because the stick-built home owner almost always owns the underlying land.
Manufactured homes, sometimes referred to as mobile homes or trailers, are houses completely constructed in a factory and built on a fixed, steel chassis (rather than a permanent foundation).
The most common type of wall used for a manufactured home is called Vinyl-Over-Gypsum or VOG for short. VOG is drywall that is coated in vinyl wrap. This is different way of treating drywall as compared it being taped, floated, textured & painted.
Modern manufactured homes can come in three general floor plans: Single-wide: A home built as one long section. Double-wide: Two sections joined to make a larger home. This model is popular with first-time home buyers.
If it is a metal frame, it is likely that metal is the old chassis of the home and it is a “manufactured home.” If the frame is wood and lines can be seen where the sections of the home join up (doubled up joists bolted together), then it is likely a “modular home.”
Modular homes can be differentiated from manufactured homes by checking for the presence of HUD — Department of Housing and Urban Development — tags. Manufactured homes use these HUD tags to show that they comply with the national building requirements.
A manufactured home will generally have a metal frame while a modular home will typically have a wood frame. However, the metal frame of a manufactured home may not be visible if it has been placed on a permanent foundation and skirted to look as though was a "stick-built" home constructed on site.
Despite its widespread use, stick-built framing isn't the only way to construct a quality home. Many homes are built in a factory, transported to the site and assembled. Whether it's a manufactured, modular or mobile home, these structures are known as manufactured housing or factory-built housing.
On-frame modular homes have a permanent steel-beam chassis. Off-frame modular homes are lifted by a crane off the transportation carrier and placed on a foundation. Both can be placed on permanent foundations.
Prior to 1976, the terms mobile home and manufactured home meant essentially the same thing. In June of 1976 HUD building codes came into effect and with this came the name change from mobile homes to manufactured homes.
Modular homes offer the best of both manufactured and stick built worlds! Having a home built almost entirely at the factory level, increases the quality control, reduces weather delays and damages, as well as offering a Greener way to build!
According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, permanent foundations for manufactured homes must be constructed of durable materials like concrete, mortared masonry or treated wood, and have attachment points that anchor and stabilize the home to the underlying soil or rock.
Modular homes will be safe in minor storms because they are secured to the ground. Unless there is severe flooding — which puts any home at risk — modular homes can handle regular rainfall and winds without an issue.
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Common Misunderstandings
Common Misunderstandings
Foundations
