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Всичко което трябва да знаете за модулните къщи
Traditionally, when you hear “modular houses,” you might imagine temporary solutions that are far from the dream home. However, the truth is quite different. By familiarising yourself with this rapidly evolving segment of the housing construction industry, you may discover that a modular house is the ideal solution for you.
This guide will explore the history, construction process, as well as the pros and cons of modular houses, dispelling the misconceptions that have surrounded them for decades. We will also answer the most common questions to empower you to make an informed decision about your future home.
History of Modular Construction
To grasp the concept of modular homes, we need to go back to mobile homes, which have not been truly manufactured in the U.S. for over 50 years. After World War II, mobile homes gained significant popularity, but they were largely unregulated. Essentially, they were converted trailers, offering a relatively inexpensive but uncomfortable and unsafe way of living.
In the mid-1970s, Congress and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) intervened. New laws and regulations changed the industry, establishing stricter rules and, crucially, altering the definition of the product itself. What was once known as a mobile home became known as a “manufactured home.”
The main difference is as follows: manufactured homes are produced primarily in factories, transported to their permanent locations, and then assembled on a foundation—while adhering to federal building standards.
Modular homes, on the other hand, comply with even stricter state and local building codes that can vary significantly depending on the region. However, the fundamental concept remains the same: they are largely pre-manufactured in factories and then assembled on-site using a foundation. This distinguishes them from “stick-built homes,” which are constructed entirely from scratch on-site.
Modern modular construction has evolved to a degree where its quality rivals that of traditional homes. Homebuyers can now choose from a vast array of styles and configurations, practically customizing their dream homes.
However, the concept isn’t entirely new. Interestingly, from 1908 to 1942, you could order an entire home from the Sears catalog in various styles, and it would be delivered straight to your door! Even the first prefabricated home in America was delivered in parts from England to Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in 1642.
According to Nikolai Kirilov, owner of a modular home sales company and a board member of Modom.bg, the housing construction industry is simply catching up to the efficiency and improved standards already established in other fields, such as automotive manufacturing. Optimizing the process using modern assembly practices allows companies to reduce their time and costs.
Kirilov offers an analogy: “Imagine buying your car from a local gas station. That wouldn’t make sense, would it? Today’s homes are more complex than cars, yet we have streamlined car manufacturing to a process similar to Lego. Homes are more complex, but many people still believe we should build them the old-fashioned way.” In the video, we show how we assemble a garden house from our English branch, Trident Modular.
History of Modular Construction
There is a widespread misconception that modular homes arrive 100% ready, explains Kirilov. However, significant preparatory work must be done on the final site before the modular home even leaves the factory. Contractors need to prepare and level the ground, excavate the permanent foundation, install pilings, pour concrete, and install the sill plate—the element that connects the factory sections to the foundation. Each site is unique, so the specifics vary, but the core tasks remain the same.
“This is no different from a house built on-site,” Kirilov clarifies regarding these initial stages. The real distinction arises here: “Everything from the sill plate up is constructed in the factory and assembled with a crane,” he says. “Essentially, all homes are a series of boxes that come together. Wherever these boxes connect for a modular home, some finish work will need to be done on-site for the drywall and flooring.”
Once the sections are joined, the electrical and plumbing systems must be connected.
“The electrical wiring is pre-installed in the modules,” Kirilov explains. “The boxes just need to be connected, and the wires routed to the junction box. Then, approximately 20% of the plumbing installation needs to be completed on-site, while the remaining 80% is already finished in the factory. Connections to the street for both the plumbing and electricity also need to be done on-site.”
The final steps involve a crane and assembly crew installing the pre-assembled roof and applying the final waterproofing. Everything is typically installed to strict industrial standards, ensuring a seamless and secure fit.
Here’s a hidden advantage that modular homes can boast over stick-built homes: “The bathrooms and kitchens are usually 100% finished,” says Kirilov.
Всичко което трябва да знаете за модулните къщи
