Have you lost your home to Fire?

We are sorry for your sudden and devastating loss. It is difficult to abruptly be forced to arrive at a plan of how to rebuild your home. One option that you may want to consider is that of a modular home. Built to local, California standards, modular homes are built in a factory, transported to your land, and attached to a foundation by a licensed contractor. There are about a hundred different plans that have been pre-approved for California in many different styles and finishes. Here are some common questions that people have about modular homes:

Will a Modular Home look and feel like a trailer home?
Modular homes have to be built so solidly that they can be transported hundreds of miles and set on their foundation without damage. This forces them to have even more engineered reinforcement than stick-build homes. The standards for insulation and earthquake resistance have greatly increased. Homes have to be Title 24 energy compliant, 2007 international building codes, and built according to the latest California wildfire codes and standards. If you walk into a properly set modular home, you will see and feel the quality.

The range of styles and floor plans has greatly improved in the last several years. There are now design styles to fit most individual neighborhoods and tastes. Instead of the old, flat looking roofs that were typical in the ‘70’s, today’s product often uses 6:12 roof pitches with nine foot flat ceilings and 6” thick insulated exterior walls. There are models with 12:12 roof pitches with walk out dormers. There are two story homes with wrap around porches. Homes have copper plumbing, solid wood cabinetry, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and instant-on hot water available. Upgrades formerly only available on high-end custom built homes are now available in today’s modular homes.

What is the difference between Modular Homes and Manufactured Homes?
Meridian Modular Homes sells both Modular and Manufactured Homes. Modular homes are built to the standards of the local city or county where the home will be placed, using “UBC” or “IRC” standards, with plans stamped by specially licensed engineers. Manufactured homes are built using standards established by “HUD”, or the Department of Community Development instead of local codes. Modular homes are usually slightly more expensive than manufactured homes.

You will find that the most major difference is the attitude that banks and other lenders have towards manufactured homes in particular. Manufactured homes set on private property are somewhat more limited in the types and amounts of loans available for them. Modular homes, on the other hand, are valued using comps of similar stick – built homes. For this reason, the percentage of modular homes sold in California has increased every year for the past three years, while for the last three years the percentage of manufactured homes sold has decreased by double digits.

How does the cost of Modular Homes compare with custom stick- built homes?
According to an analysis done after the fires in the San Diego region, Reuters reported on October 30, 2007 that rebuilding costs by traditional stick builders will range between $200 per square foot to $350 per square foot. Compare this with $110 - $170 per square foot finished costs of most modular homes, and building modular is an attractive alternative to consider.

If you are rebuilding, even if you want to build the same house as the one that was burned, you will have to build according to the current building standards for fire and earthquake safety, drainage, electrical safety, waste disposal, etc. Unfortunately, many of these standards are more costly than what was built twenty to thirty years ago. Our Modular homes reflect all of the current upgraded standards at an overall lower cost than custom stick-building alternatives.

What amount of time does it take to build a Modular Home?
Each project is unique in its engineering, permitting and building complexities. A standard amount of time for modular building would be four to six months from order date to move in. There are times when this can be done faster, and the permitting process for fire victims is supposed to be streamlined to speed things up. Common things that slow down the building process are variances of any kind, for things like septic or setbacks, or major changes to the standard UBC / IRC plans so the factory has to have plans re-engineered. You can call us at Meridian Modular Homes and we will talk through your individual situation with you. Because we pull the building permits ourselves, we have experience in what timelines are realistic.

Can I use my old slab foundation with a Modular Home?
Most modular homes use a perimeter wall foundation system made of concrete and rebar, and then the home is bolted or welded to this foundation. Even if you wanted to stick- build a new house using the old foundation, you would have to give the complete engineered plans to a structural engineer who would have to analyze the old foundation and certify that the old foundation would support the new structure. The engineer would also have to state that all under-slab utility systems, like drains, vents, mechanical and electrical systems, are suitable for the new home. Unless you are building the exact same floor plan as the one you lost, often foundations need to be demolished and replaced.

Can I have a basement or underground garage with a Modular Home?
Yes, Meridian Modular Homes has permitted and set several homes over basements and garages. With the basement properly engineered, modular homes are almost ideal for this application, because they are already designed to support themselves on a perimeter wall. Customers with sloped lots have often chosen to take advantage of this option.

What are the steps involved in building with a modular home?
It is our goal to make this difficult process as easy for you as possible. If you give us your address, we can determine your setbacks and your exact lot size, if you do not already have that information. If you then tell us what you are looking for in a new house – what style, how big, where your view is, and what is important to you – we can show you what your modular options might be. We have factories we work with from five different states, all of which build homes to California standards. We often can find several floor plans that you can choose from which meet your specifications. We then can give you a cost and feature comparison. We can often take you to the home of customers who have the type of home that you are considering. This way you can get a first-hand look at the quality and feel of a new modular home.

After you choose a manufacturer and floor plan, we then work up a budget showing what the home will cost, what your engineering and permitting will costs will be, and what a reputable contractor would charge to complete your home. If the pricing fits your parameters, we then work with you to choose all the finishes, floor coverings, counters, cabinets and colors of the home. We then place the order, and get firm quotes from the engineers and contractors who will do the work on your project. We work with the City or County on your permits, and alert you to any problems you need to be aware of, or decisions you need to make. You can choose appliances, tile or carpet from a vendor you know or like, or choose from options that are available from the factory.

We see our role as trying to serve you, to get you back in to a quality home as quickly and efficiently as possible. Call us any time to discuss your individual questions or needs. Out office number is (858) 490-3624, or you can call Diane Jemmett on her cell at (619) 994-1759, and she would be glad to answer your questions.

Last Updated on August 13, 2008