Frequently Asked Questions
Learn about Modular Home construction below.
- Why is it important to use a licensed NC General Contractor?
- What is a Modular Home?
- How long does it take to build a Modular Home?
- How do Modular Homes compare to site-built homes?
- What’s the difference between mobile and Modular Homes?
- Don’t all Modular Homes look alike?
- How stable are Modular Homes?
- Are the building materials used in Modular Home construction the same as those used in site-built homes?
- What are advantages of Modular Home construction?
- What is a land/home transaction?
- What are land improvements?
- How do we go about finding land?
- Do we need the land first?
- It sounds complicated and expensive. How much is this going to cost us?
Why is it important to use a licensed NC General Contractor?
Possessing an NC General Contractor’s License is a benchmark of professionalism in the homebuilding industry. It is an indication that your builder is fully knowledgeable of all current building codes and standards set by the State of North Carolina. Royal Homes proudly holds an NC General Contractor’s License, which means you can rest assured that your Modular Home will meet and even exceed standards set for our state.
What is a Modular Home?
Modular Homes are often called systems-built homes. Modular Homes are built in sections in an indoor factory setting, where the home modules are never subjected to adverse weather conditions. The sections move through the factory, with the manufacturer’s quality control department checking them after every step. Finished modules are covered for protection, then transported to your home site. They are placed on a pre-made foundation, joined, and completed by Royal Homes.
How long does it take to build a Modular Home?
That depends on your design and the manufacturer you choose, but some Modular Homes can be built in the factory in as little as 1-2 weeks. Since modulars are built indoors, there’s never a weather delay. It usually takes another 3 – 6 weeks to complete the home once the modules have been delivered to the building site. It is important to start the building process as early as possible. The longest part of the process is usually arranging your financing, waiting on appraisals, health permits and building permits. Learn more about our building process.
How do Modular Homes compare to site-built homes?
Modular Homes are built to the exact same NC building codes as site-built homes. Modular Homes generally use 20% more lumber than comparable site-built homes. The controlled factory setting protects the material from the weather, allows closer management supervision, reduces material waste and allows the introduction of modern construction technology. Modular Homes are also manufactured by full-time housing professionals, not subcontractors.
What’s the difference between mobile and Modular Homes?
Manufactured homes, once called mobile homes, are built to conform to the Federal code or HUD Code, with few exceptions, no matter where they will be delivered. A Modular Home is built to the State Building codes that are specific to the location it will be sited, and in many cases the quality of construction far exceeds the required codes.
Don’t all Modular Homes look alike?
No, and unless you were there to see the house delivered to the site and assembled, you might not guess it’s a Modular Home. Modular Home manufacturers use computer-aided design programs to draw plans to your exact specifications or to modify one of their standard plans to fit your needs. This allows nearly any home plan to be turned into a Modular Home. It’s true that some Modular Homes are very basic and resemble double-wide manufactured homes, but the two structures are still built in different ways. When building your Modular Home with us, the sky is the limit for home customization. Your Royal Home can be as basic or luxurious as you choose.
How stable are Modular Homes?
After Hurricane Andrew, the Federal Emergency Management Agency commissioned an in-depth study of how different types of housing performed in adverse weather. Read FEMA’s conclusions concerning modular homes: “Overall, relatively minimal structural damage was noted in modular housing developments. The module-to-module combination of the units appears to have provided an inherently rigid system that performed much better than conventional residential framing. This was evident in both the transverse and longitudinal.”
Are the building materials used in Modular Home construction the same as those used in site-built homes?
Yes. The big difference is that Modular Home manufacturers purchase building materials in large quantities directly from the primary source. Most site-built homebuilders purchase materials in very small quantities from local suppliers who purchase from the primary source. By cutting out the middlemen, Modular Home manufacturers can supply higher-quality material for the same or lower price.
What are advantages of Modular Home construction?
There are many advantages of Modular Home construction, but the three most important are price, time and control.
- Price: Building a Modular Home rather than a site-built home can save you a lot of money. The volume purchasing power, efficient use of labor and implementation of technology all contribute to money saved.
- Time: The modular construction process can reduce home construction time by many months. Site-builders experience delays caused by weather, material shortages and undependable labor and subcontractors.
- Control: Modular Home builders purchase material in large volume. This allows them to control material cost and quantity. Because of this purchasing power, suppliers are very responsive to problems. The building process occurs in an indoor environment and the material is protected from bad weather. Supervisors and inspectors continually check the home during the construction process and control home quality.
What is a land/home transaction?
Any transaction where land is going to be purchased or pledged as collateral in connection with the sale of the home to you.
What are land improvements?
Any improvement made to the land such as a clearing, well, driveway etc. along with the permits required before initiating any of the work. Most land improvements can be included in your Royal Homes contract.
How do we go about finding land?
Our Home Consultants are here to help, but we’ll also need help from you. It is up to you to tell us what characteristics you desire for your property. Start with location, size, cost and then we can let you know what is available. We can show you land we own, tell you about land that we know is available or you can tell us about land you’ve found and are interested in. We will help you locate and contract for a piece of land in North Carolina. We also have an affiliate company, Royal Homes and Realty, that we can refer you to if you need the services of a licensed real estate broker.
Do we need the land first?
No. If we do not have the piece of property you want at the time you initiate your home purchase, we can reserve a mutually agreed upon allowance in your sales agreement for land. We can subject your sales agreement to finding a piece of property that meets your requirements. This allows time necessary to locate your property while protecting your interest.
It sounds complicated and expensive. How much is this going to cost us?
We are here to help. Put our 38 years of experience to work for you to remove any complications. Our efforts to coordinate your home purchase process are a part of what you get when you purchase your home from Royal Homes. We do not profit on land purchased from third parties or on the closing costs associated with your purchase. The efforts to improve your property are priced according to their complexity and customers tell us that we are very competitively priced for those services. Your home consultant will be glad to make you a proposal in writing for your consideration.
