Modular/pre-fab primary home
As I look around our 100+ year old home with many years of different interventions, I'm increasingly interested in the modular or pre-fabricated homes. I know that they won't be as design forward as I'd have if I worked with an architect to redo our home, but I think the efficiency, process, and overall outcome would potentially be worth it.
Anyone have experience using this approach in the East Bay? We'd have to raze our existing house, obviously. I'd love a less biased perspective, since I'm sure pre-fab vendors are proponents and architects maybe are very against them as limiting their market. Has anyone built and lived in one? How does the day-to-day experience of such a space feel?
Apr 14, 2024
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We had a panelized house built 33 years ago, to our design, by a lumber mill in Washington State.
When we hung drywall we found that it is neither square nor plumb. I worry that the relatively few Simpson clamps and ties might not hold the panels together in a big earthquake.
Our house is 2 stories. Mayne for a single story it would not be so tricky. Maybe trchnology has improved since 1990. But caveat emptor.
Hi, here are my thoughts on your post:
-modular homes (as distinct from manufactured homes) are built to the same standards as regular construction so you will probably find it hard to tell any difference when complete
-at least in the ADU space, there are some very forward thinking modern style modular homes, if that appeals to you, you should not have to compromise on design
-the Modular’s I am familiar with are shipped to the site by truck and then craned on to the site, therefore there are some things to look out for that could make your site not appropriate for Modular. For example, extensive electric overhead wires in front of the house, a steep slope, or lack of space for the crane to set up (they can require as much as 40 x 40 feet when expanded to support the load).
Good luck with your exploration!
Sue