The Difference Between Manufactured and Modular Homes
Let’s Set the Record Straight on Your Options
So, you’re interested in factory-built housing, but don’t know where to start. We get it! The world of pre-fabricated homes is vast and full of options, so you’ll definitely want to know which of those options work best for you and your lifestyle. When it comes to manufactured homes and modular homes, knowing the difference can take you a long way. So, let’s get into it!
Manufactured Homes
Manufactured homes have actually been around longer than you might think. You’ve likely heard manufactured homes referred to as mobile homes in your day-to-day conversations. Before 1976 when the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) code was developed, they were referred to as mobile homes. After the HUD code was developed, they were and still are referred to as manufactured. Same type of home, but manufactured homes of today meet the regulations of the HUD code.
Check out our manufactured homes blog for more detailed information if you’re interested.
Modular Homes
A modular home is a home that is also built in a climate-controlled indoor factory, but to a local state code, such as the International Residential Code, or IRC. You may often hear modular homes described as “prefabricated homes.” A modular home is built in sections, or modules, which are then delivered to and assembled on the home site. A modular home is more comparable to a site-built home in details like its available financing through more traditional mortgages and the local codes to which it is built.
Check out our modular homes blog for more detailed information if you’re interested.
Similarities & Differences
The main similarity you’ll find between manufactured and modular homes is that they’re both built in a climate-controlled factory by skilled craftspeople who do the same thing every day. All of our scrap material is used somewhere in the home instead of being piled and thrown away like in site-built homes.
The main difference you’ll find between manufactured and modular homes is the codes to which they are built. The HUD code can differ from the code of a specific state, town or county, and this all helps to determine what kind of house can be built and where. For example, a home built to the HUD Code for delivery in Massachusetts could be very different from a home built to local the Massachusetts modular code.. And that’s just one state!
Bottom line: we’re building homes to the right code for the right regions.
Whether you’re looking to go the manufactured route or the modular route, factory-built provides the advantages you’ll want and need as a new homeowner. Browse our floorplans today and find the home of your dreams.
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The Light Choice
Choosing the right lighting for your home
It’s time to shed light on something important in the realm of home design: lighting! Choosing lighting fixtures for your home can really make a difference. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the details and thought processes that will help you make the best decision for your home, room by room.
Finishes are key.
The material used in a lighting fixture can add a special touch to a room and should be considered when thinking of your overall design. When it comes to choosing a finish, you want to let current trends guide you but not anchor you, so that you won’t bring in a finish that’s going to date the product.
These days, you see a lot of mixed finishes. This helps because if one fades, the other will keep it from being considered outdated. Brushed nickels, matte blacks, lots of gold (champagne for example) — those are metal finishes. You’re seeing a lot of wicker, tan, basket weaving textures paired with metals. As for textures, cane is very popular. Terrazzo, which used to be huge in flooring in the 60s/70s, is now making a name for itself again in lighting.
Paint and application are huge because you can have one material, but it can look something totally different. People are really exploring new approaches to classic touches, which means lots of mixing.
Go big AND go home.
The size of lighting has changed over the years, and larger than life lights are more popular than ever as lighting becomes more and more of a talking point in a home. “Oh, I LOVE these lights over your island” has become much more common of a conversation. At Champion® Homes, we are always trying to find the best in lighting with our customers’ best interests in mind, that includes both style and affordability.
Lighting is important now because it’s so much easier to change the lighting out instead of trying to change the structure of your home. If you select something that allows for flexibility, and allows you to be eclectic, that decision will allow you to make changes down the road more easily.
Want to see a visual representation on the importance of lighting? Be sure to check out our models, including the Advantage 3276 211, the Titan Extreme 3276F and the Magazine. Interested in illuminating your path to homeownership? Contact us today.
What is a Manufactured Home?
Here are all the details you’ll need to begin your manufactured home experience
You might be seeing a lot of media about the benefits of manufactured homes and why you should consider one if you’re in the homebuying market. But you may be confused to know: what IS a manufactured home? What sets it apart from a stick-built home and why is it a smart purchase? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The first thing you should know about manufactured homes is that they’re factory-built. This means our teams work indoors, in climate-controlled facilities, with no dependence on weather fluctuations like your typical site-built home. Because manufactured homes are factory-built, they provide assurance for details such as:
- Quality control
- Weather-protected construction materials
- Construction speed
- Energy-efficient structures
- Less waste
So, you’ve likely heard manufactured homes referred to as mobile homes in your day-to-day conversations. That’s a historical reference that has changed from the past perception.
Now, let’s move on to why we call them “manufactured” homes. From the early 50’s to the mid 80’s manufactured homes were referred to as single-wide and double-wide mobile homes. In 1976, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) federal building code was developed to bring oversite to the growing mobile home industry and that lead to the new product type “Manufactured Homes.” The (HUD) federal building code continues to evolve and is updated by various government committees on a regular basis to ensure all the latest standards regarding safety, energy, structural integrity, and indoor air quality are maintained at a high level.
Why Should You Care? Manufactured homes offer many advantages, including:
- Affordability
- An independent engineering plan review and inspection process
- Governed by the federal HUD code who sets quality standards for manufactured housing
- Insulated for the right climate, wind and seismic criteria
With a Champion® Homes manufactured home, you get quality all-around – a premier homebuying experience paired with an elegant product. Our homes will have you thinking “premier” and “elegance” from door to door. We aim to upgrade the manufactured home buying experience by improving construction processes and providing innovative design so that you can worry less about other details and spend that time on what matters: enjoying your home. We’re all about changing things for the better and in more ways than one!
Luckily, we’ve got decades of experience doing just that here at Champion Homes. We have an array of floor plans and design options the modern shopper will love. Ready to give the manufactured life a try? Let’s build your ideal home today.
The Champion Approach: How We Set Industry Design Trends
When you think “ahead of the game,” think Champion® Homes.
When it comes to design standards in the factory-built housing industry, it’s no secret that Champion Homes sets the curve. Whether it’s color combinations, texture choices or interior features, innovation has become part of the Champion name.
But how are we able to predict trends and execute them sustainably? Well, a large part of it is the same reason you trust us to build your home: experience. Our team members know what they’re doing, because they’ve been doing it for a while now. We got a chance to talk about The Champion Approach with Tammie D., our Interior Designer who’s been working in the industry 20+ years. Keep reading to learn how we bring you the best aesthetics, season after season!
Staying Ahead of the Game
Champion Homes supports interactive research, which means we prioritize working with suppliers to not only see and touch emerging materials, but also develop entirely new materials. We utilize our experience and reputation in the industry to navigate important relationships, which allows us to participate in inventive conversations.
We approach home design holistically, and that’s what sets us apart. This is key to, for example, making sure the flow of the home from room to room is sensible and complementary. We make sure the kitchen complements the bedroom, etc.
Tammie’s Way
- See your environment (the home and its features, the neighborhood, etc.) and think of it with every decision you make
- Remember we mentioned the flow of a home from room to room? Think of this as ‘movement.’ Try to gauge the movement within a house and correspond materials to said movement
- Have a balance of new and old! Too much innovation could scare people off, even if it’s beautiful
- Never underestimate the importance of complementary colors
It’s Important to…
- Grow past bias against factory-built homes (remember: it’s high quality materials used in a site-built home)
- Be rightfully picky, keeping the customer in mind
Now that you know The Champion Approach, you’ll be able to point it out more easily. Take a look at some of our most notably designed models, such as the Odyssey and the Glenwood.
How to Determine Your Design Style(s)
Figure out how to make your home feel like “you” every time you walk in.
It goes without saying that design and décor are hugely important when it comes to purchasing a home. You want your home to be a retreat; to welcome you back warmly every time you return. And, design plays an integral role in that. That’s why we seek to offer you cutting-edge design choices, so that you can love everything about the place you call your own.
Where Design Style Comes into Play
- Cabinets
- Countertops
- Tiles and flooring
Design Styles for the Traditional at Heart
Farmhouse – a style which values simplicity and rustic charm. In farmhouse you’ll find quintessential dedications to rural architecture, mixed in with pieces of modernity.
Classic – true to its name, classic style features ornate detailing, often with an ode to nature in some way. You’ll also find texture and patterns, to add personality.
Nautical – an age-old style that adds coolness to the place. Nautical brings what you love most about the coastal lifestyle into your home by focusing on key colors and elements.
Design Styles for the Trend-Aware
Contemporary – a style that fully understands subtle sophistication, contemporary is bold in its use of texture. Key features include clean lines, bold colors and shape, creating a finish that is sleek and fresh.
Mid-Century Modern – a style that has stood the test of time, mid-century modern finds the perfect balance between muted tones and vibrant colors, natural and manmade pieces, indoor and outdoor motifs.
Modern Nordic – this minimalistic style takes a fresh approach by using a blend of textures. Modern Nordic prioritizes utility and functionality in tandem with aesthetics.
Design Styles for the Stylishly Offbeat
Contemporary Abstract
Scandinavian – Similar, but not identical to Nordic styles, Scandinavian is meant to be a bit warmer and more inviting. This added coziness gives style a comfortable appeal.
Boho Shabby Chic – a beautiful marriage of already complementary styles, boho shabby chic combines gentle hues and textures with bold splashes of bohemian colors and patterns. Bohemian adds punchy character to shabby chic, and the shabby chic softens up intensity of the bohemian.
It’s perfectly fine (and even encouraged!) if your design style is a mix of one or two different ones. You aren’t one-dimensional, and it’s unlikely that your décor interests will be as well. Think of your home design as a “flow,” meaning think of how each room can peacefully transition into another. This may mean thinking of complementary colors or standout pieces. Above all, remember to get creative with it! A home is never fully “finished,” and that’s a good thing!
What would you say your design style is?
Where Do I Buy A Manufactured Home?
The 411 on Where to Find the Home for You
There are many reasons to be interested in a manufactured home: attainability, affordability and personalization are just the beginning. But in addition to these 3 factors, the process of buying a manufactured home differs from that of a site-built home. This blog will explain the “where” of that process. Keep reading if you want to find that factory-built oasis for you!
Scenario:
Fatigued from an exhausting housing market and frightening prices, you’ve decided to take a more sustainable approach and go the factory-built route. Good for you! But therein lies the dilemma: where the heck do you look for and find a manufactured home? Well first, you’ll want to think about where the home will be placed.
Let us explain: Manufactured homes are built in a factory and then transported in one or more sections to be placed on either a plot of land or manufactured home community. So where to get your home will largely depend on where you’re placing it.
Moving on, once you’ve decided where your home will be placed, now it’s time to reach out to Champion® Homes! Our models are sold through a network of independent retailers. Retailers not only sell our homes, but are also great destinations for any of the questions you might have about the process, such as:
- How much will the home cost?
- Does this specific model ship to my area?
- Should I get a manufactured home or a modular home?
- How long will this process take?
And more!
Our retailers are trained to cater their home recommendations to your lifestyle and needs.
So, there you have it! Long story short? Find a factory-built home near and for YOU, head to our site to find a retailer today!
The Cost of A Manufactured Home
Figuring Out How to Price Your Dream Home
Imagine this: you’ve been perusing through the Champion® Homes Instagram page, looking at some of the models posted until you stop. There it is. There are only 4 photos of it posted in the carousel, but that’s all you needed anyway. This is the home you want. Well, at least you think it is. You need to know the details before you can be sure. Eager and ready to make a move, you type a single-worded question…
“Price?”
But what you might not be aware of is the fact that pricing for factory-built homes is a process that depends on the home, location and your dream preferences! Here’s a transparent look into what that process entails that will help with an understanding of factory-built home pricing.
So first, let’s start with the obvious base price: the home itself. This price varies depending on details like home size, spec level and personalization options you may choose.
Then we consider things like location. At Champion Homes, we sell our homes through a network of independent retailers who work directly with customers looking to purchase a home. The customer’s price comes from an independent retailer in your area. For example, additional costs for installing and finishing your home will be provided by your local retailer.
Count the Cost – Typical Cost Items An Independent Retailer Might Discuss with You
- Land (where your property is located)
- Permits, taxes, and fees
- Foundation
- Delivery of home
- Installation and trim out of home
- Utility connections (water/well, sewer/septic, power, natural gas/propane)
- Site built additions such as garages, porches, and decks
- Any HVAC equipment needed to be installed once the home has been set
- Grading, concrete flatwork, and landscaping
- Required upgrades to comply with local requirements such as energy efficiency, snow loads, and wind loads
Note: List is for illustrative purposes only. Contact your independent retailer for a full list of additional costs.
The price on your home will reflect the fact that it’s your home. Ready to get more pricing information and move closer to moving into your home? Visit a retailer in your area for pricing information.
Choosing The Right Manufactured Home Floor Plan
The Layout Decisions That Make a Difference
Ah, yes. The floor plan. Not only is it key to the way you’ll be navigating your home, it also heavily influences other details such as design and routine. The floor plan is very important, so choosing the right one for you and your lifestyle will make all the difference. Sounds like it could be a lot of pressure, but thanks to Champion® Homes, it doesn’t have to be! Here’s how to choose the best floor plan for you.
First Things First
Think about the details that will determine the general format of your home. These details include:
- Whether your home will be single-section or multi-section
- Who will be living in the home
- Number of beds & baths
Second Things Second
Consider your lifestyle! Are you the ultimate home chef? Do you need alone time, such as reading time, to function? Do you work from home full-time? These are all things to consider when going into the process of choosing your floor plan. Through answering these questions, you might discover you’d like a home with a sizable kitchen island and pantry area, a den, an office nook and more!
Other things that can determine your lifestyle:
- If you love entertaining guests – open flow from kitchen to living room might work best!
- If you have or plan on having a large family – consider how many bedrooms and who sleeps where!
- If you love the great outdoors – consider a patio or outside porch option!
The Grand Finale
Okay, so you’ve thought about general format needs, and you’ve considered your lifestyle, what now? Well, now comes the fun part: looking at plans! Are we the only ones that get suuuper excited at the thought of looking at floor plans? It’s basically a justification to daydream about the life you want to live, and how! You’ve likely heard floor plans referred to as “the map of the home,” and it’s true! Floor plans really do a great job of showing you the natural “flow” of the home.
Get into the details and remember, it’s perfectly fine to have an idea of what you want in mind while also being flexible. Things like “How much space do I need for entertaining?” or “How close should the bathroom be to the kids’ bedrooms?” will make a difference in your choice.
Details of a home that might reflect your lifestyle preferences:
- Split bedrooms (where the master is on the opposite side of the home as the kids’ rooms)
- Half baths
- Large utility / mud rooms
- Extra living space (2 living rooms, living room + family room, etc.)
Take a look at some floor plans and mark down which ones you really like. Eventually, you’ll find your pick!
Choosing the floor plan for you isn’t too much pressure when you remember that all you really need to do, ultimately, is trust yourself. Go with what feels right. And when you’ve done that and are ready to turn that perfect floor plan into that perfect home? Don’t worry, we can help with that too.
What Is a Modular Home?
Get a Clear Understanding Before Finding the Home for You
The world of factory-built homes is vast and full of so many options. Sometimes, all these options can cause confusion, which is the last thing we want when purchasing our forever home! That’s why we’re here to break down one of the essentials in the factory-built home industry: modular homes. What are they? Should you consider one, and why? We’re answering all the most important questions about modular homes.
Let’s start with the basics: What is a modular home?
To keep it simple, a modular home is a home built in a climate-controlled factory, to local and state codes, such as the International Residential Code, or IRC. You may often hear modular homes described as “prefabricated homes.” A modular home is built in sections, or modules, which are then delivered to and assembled on the home site.
Modular homes are similar to site-built homes; they use the same financing, are installed on similar fixed foundations (whether that be a basement or a crawl space) and provide multiple floors and luxuries as site-built homes.
The advantage with modular homes is that they’re built in a controlled environment. If you’ve ever witnessed a site-built home in process, you have likely noticed the way the home and its materials become tattered due to unpredictable weather circumstances over the long period of time it takes to make the home weather tight. With a modular home, unpredictable weather plays less of a dependent role on the process and development of the home in comparison to site-built. This also provides an efficiency to the building process that you won’t witness with site-built construction.
So, there you have it! A modular home gives you a breadth of options to truly create the home you’ll love to call…well…home! If you’re interested in learning about modular homes with hopes you can build one, Champion® Homes is definitely the place to start.