FAQ
Q. Why build your Modular Home with East Coast Modular Homes?
A. East Coast Modular Homes has been building custom modular homes for over 30 years. We have a passion about Modular homes and take pride in our work. We have always been at the forefront of the modular industry. We are the area’s largest modular home builder and have built homes for thousands of families.
Q. Can I bring you my own custom floor plan or customize one of your plans?
A. The sample floor plans on our website are just the starting point. Whether you want to modify one our existing floor plans, or have some ideas for a complete custom home, our design team can take your ideas and create a custom plan.
Q. How long does it take to build a modular home?
A. The construction process for a modular home can be broken down into three parts. Design, Permitting and actual Construction. The design portion will take as long as it takes for you to finalize a floor plan. Once we have the Floor plan finalized it takes about a month for the factory to engineer all the plans and obtain the state approvals. Once we have those plans we can the start the Permitting process. Permitting can vary depending on the needs of your site. A building official has 30 days to review your application. This excludes additional permitting; examples include but are not limited to demolition, conservation, board of health and planning. Once we receive your building permit, your ground work can be started. Once the site work begins it usually takes 4-6 weeks for excavation, for the new foundation to be poured and cured and the lot back-filled and ready for your house. One of the benefits of building a Modular home is that while we are working on the site, the factory is already building your home! From the day the modules are set onto your foundation, a typical home will take 10-14 weeks for completion, pending its complexity.
Q. Are modular homes built as well as site-built homes?
A. A common misconception with modular homes is the lack of construction quality. In fact, that is quite the opposite. Modular homes are actually overbuilt due to the transportation of these boxes (sometimes traveling for hundreds of miles) and the set of the crane (being lifted 40’ in the air). Our homes have to be built to a certain standard to withstand these two elements. Modular homes have to meet the same town and state building codes as a site-built home going through the same inspections.
Q. Is financing a modular home a problem?
A. Not at all. Most banks prefer financing modular homes since they arrive mostly complete to the site. This reduces the risk of on-site damage and theft of materials. Modular homes are easy to secure when they arrive on site. We have worked with most of the local and regional banks in the area. However, if you come across a bank that has not been educated on modular construction, lets us know and we will be the ones educating them!
Q. Are all modular homes the same?
A. NO. The most important questions you can ask your modular home builder are “who is your manufacturer?” and “who is responsible for the completion of the project?”. Like most products that are made by different factories; clothing, cars, electronics… you need to look at the overall performance, look, price and quality. Your modular home is no different. Just because two companies are offering the same specs does not mean they are built with the same quality.
Q. Is there a difference between the builder and the manufacturer?
A. Yes. Your builder and manufacturer are two separate entities working together to construct your home. As the customer, you are working directly with the builder, not the manufacturer. The modular home on average comes in around 80% completed from the manufacturer. Your builder is responsible for all site work before the modular arrives and finishes the construction once the modular is set.
Q. How much can I customize the materials being used in my new home?
A. As a Custom Modular Builder, we look for ways of making your modular home unique. Whether you want to use vinyl, clapboard, cedar shake, fiber cement siding or another exterior building material, we can do it! You have complete control over customization of your home and we are able to use any product or add any feature that can be done on a site built home. Some of our common upgrades are; hardwoods floors, tiled baths and walls, granite counter tops and HVAC.
Q. How much does a modular home cost?
A. This is a hard question to answer. Some modular builders set up false expectations by pricing houses without the context of what is included and more importantly what’s not. There are three factors that go into your price; the cost of the site work to prep the house for the modular (excavation, foundation, utilities…). Next, the cost of the home from the factory delivered and set on the foundation, then the cost of the Button up and Finish work. Depending on your choices for finishes and floor plan, this causes each of these elements to have a different price. The best way to figure out the price for your project is to meet with one of our design specialists and they will put together a proposal to meet your unique project needs.
