Champion Homes Home Building

How to Build a Garage on Your Manufactured Home 

Up Your Curb Appeal and Increase Home Value All in One!

Are you thinking of getting a garage add-on to your manufactured home? Great thinking! Not only will an attached garage improve the curb appeal and overall appearance of your home, but it will also contribute to an increased home value. Who wouldn’t want that? If you’re wondering how to go about adding a garage to your prefab home, keep reading.  

Did you know a local retailer can help you with beginning garage conversations? Click HERE to get in contact with one near you!

So, we already mentioned the benefits an attached garage will have on your home’s appearance and value, but those are just the beginning! Some other benefits include: 

  • Protection for your car against the elements and any potential theft attempts 
  • More room for storage or hobbies  
  • Entering the home from within the garage when needed 

The best thing about finding your dream home through Champion® Homes is that many of our innovative models are garage-friendly and relatively easy to add a garage to your home.  

Different Types of Garages and Orientations for Factory-Built Homes 

Something very important to think about when planning your garage attachment is the attachment style you’d like to use, and the foundational support.  

ATTACHED GARAGE 

As the name implies, an attached garage is connected to the manufactured home.  The attached garage is site-constructed through the local permitting process and can be designed as a small single car or a much larger 2-3 car version. It can be built structurally independent using four walls or structurally dependent using 3 walls.  A structurally independent garage is often considered easier because it does not require special changes to the home’s foundation.  The orientation of the garage is also an important consideration.  Depending on your site plan, a garage can be located on a home side wall to create an “L” shape or on an end wall to maintain a traditional ranch style appearance.     

A manufactured home may also require certain additional features for the attached garage.  Strategically positioned exterior doors and home siding adjusts are a couple examples of things we can do in the factory, so your attached garage is a perfect fit on site.  A great time to build an attached garage is often during the home set process.  The efficiency associated with various construction trades already being on site usually leads to cost savings.   

Click here to find the perfect home that meets your needs!

DETACHED GARAGE 

As the name implies, a detached garage is not connected to the home.  It is a great option when various circumstances such as garage size, curb appeal issues, or code compliance issues make an attached garage option impractical.  A detached garage falls completely under the control of your local codes and jurisdiction. It requires many of the same planning and design considerations as an attached garage.  Your local building department and contractor can help with site planning, permitting, as well as design considerations to ensure your vision is realized.  

Our engineers can provide a booklet for reference. 

WHAT WILL THE PROCESS BE LIKE? 

  1. Decide to add a garage onto your manufactured home. Ready for a garage? Take a look at the different types of garages available through your builder and try to envision how it will look on your property. If your home isn’t yet built, ask your builder for their recommendations. 
  1. Discover if your home can support an attached garage. If your home is already built and installed, you may still be able to add an attached garage. Have a contractor or design professional check your home and property for suitability in accommodating an attached garage. This step may require some simple design planning to ensure code compliance and site setback requirements are established. Also, if an attached garage is not practical, you may still be able to consider a detached garage instead. 
  1. Select a contractor and review your plans. Ensure that you work with a reputable contractor experienced with manufactured housing.  If you’re adding a garage to an existing home, consider engaging the builder that set the home originally.  This may help ensure that you are making the best and safest decision regarding your home and new garage. They may have additional insight or tips to help you along your garage journey.  

TIP: Not planning to build the garage right away? Depending on your timeline, it may be a good idea to save extra matching shingle and siding materials when the home is built so that you’ll have a perfect color match when you do decide to build.  

  1. Prepare for construction! The moment you’ve been waiting for! Your contractor needs to make sure you have the proper permitting, foundation, and other preliminary work needed to support a successful project.  Be sure to remember that Champion may be a nice resource for numerous construction details, especially those directly related to home attachment.    

There you have it! Would you be interested in a blog on how to add a garage to a modular home? Let us know in the comments! 

Champion Homes Home Building, Home Buying

Figuring Out Where to Put a Manufactured Home 

If You’ve Ever Thought “I like your homes…but where do I put them?” this is the blog for you! 

So, you found it. You found the manufactured home for you, and you’re ready to just live in it already! Great! If you’ve made the smart decision in choosing a quality Champion® Homes prefab home, you’re likely trying to figure out one important detail: where does the home go??! Have no fear, the Champion® Homes Blog is here to help.  

Your Choices 

When considering where you want to place your manufactured home, you’ll have 2 main choices: privately owned land, or land within a land lease community. When trying to choose the option that works best for you, you’ll want to consider a variety of factors. Let’s get into them! 

NOTE: Still trying to figure out the right home style for you? Click HERE to take the quiz! 

The Chipper is a 3-bedroom home built in our Millen, GA facility. 

Option 1: Private Land 

If you’re considering buying private land to place your prefab home on, you might prefer the privacy and personalization potential of having your own lot. Where do people go when they are shopping for land? Websites such as Zillow.com and Realtor.com are great options! You can search the area where you want to live and select “Lots/land”, etc. If this is the route you would like to take, there are quite a few details to make sure you’ve thought of before signing the dotted line. These details include: 

  • Lot size. Understandably so, you’ll want to make sure the lot you plan to purchase will have enough room to place your manufactured home. This might also need to include space on each side of the property line, also known as a ‘setback.’ When you purchase property, you should be given a document outlining the setbacks. This is especially important when you’re thinking of living in a subdivision. 
  • Zoning Requirements. This will likely differ from area to area. You’ll want to get with your local municipality before purchasing a lot to make sure manufactured homes are approved in that location. Reach out to your county officials for this information.  
  • Regulations. Your home might need to be placed in a specific location or face a specific direction on the land.  
  • HOA Covenants. You’ll also want to investigate homeowner covenants that may apply to you should you choose to live in a community with a homeowner’s association, for example “must at least have a 2-car garage,” “side-entry garage required” or “needs a covered front entry.”  
  • Permits. After you’ve gotten through zoning and any restrictions, it’s important to secure any necessary permits for placing your home. This could include permits for additional construction services. A local retailer can help guide you through this process. 
  • Environmental concerns. It is recommended to perform a perc and soils test of the land before you even think about placing a home there. This ensures adequate soil drainage and without it, you could face lots of problems down the line.  
  • Utilities. Are utilities available on the property? These include natural gas, water or well, electricity, sewer or septic. If not, it’s time to figure out the costs for getting them on your property. The retailer you work with will be able to help with this too! 
  • Required preparation. Is the lot hilly? Are there lots of trees? Are there overhead wires that need to be removed? These are just a couple of factors you’ll need to consider when getting the land prepared for a home to be safely placed.  

Another great resource to help you through this process is a local retailer! They will be able to help you find the home, and lot, of your dreams – then guide you through the process of preparing your land. Click here to find a retailer in your area. 

Option 2: Manufactured Housing Community (Land Lease) 

For others, the best choice is going with a manufactured home community. In most cases, you’ll be able to rent the land for your home in a community. In some other cases, you’ll be able to buy land or participate in a rent-to-own program.  

There are many perks to living in a manufactured home community; many have amenities like a pool, fitness center, green space and home care like grass watering. 

@championhomesusa

Manufactured living communities are…waiiiiit for it….AMAZING 😅 Take a stroll through Cider Mill Crossings, a Sun Community, with Charlie! #manufacturedhomes #modernmobilehomes #SplashSummerVibe #factorybuilthousing #mobilehomeliving #championhomes #mobilehome

♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim
Check out this TikTok for more information on living in a manufactured home community! 

The main detail you’ll need to consider when choosing the community route? Making sure you find the right community near you that fits your needs. Are there specific age requirements? If you have a family, will the specific amenities do well with the kids? These are some important questions to ask yourself as you decide on the community for you.  

Another great perk of communities is they will help to guide you through the process of finding a home. Looking to find a community in your area? We’ve got you covered: click here!  

The Innovation 1668H is quite the stunner! It’s built in our Athens, TX facility. 

Realtor.com® is the official site of the National Association of REALTORS® and is operated by Move, Inc. and Zillow® is a registered trademark of Zillow, Inc. Champion is not an affiliate of any of these entities. This is not a paid endorsement. 

Champion Homes Home Building

Get To Know a Factory: Navasota, TX Manufacturing Facility  

Learn more about the homebuilding process and culture inside our Navasota, Texas plant 

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer searching for an affordable and durable home or looking for your third home that will stand the test of time, factory-built housing is more than a great option! Not only will you get more bang for your buck, but you’ll also receive a home of your own that is designed beautifully and built to last.

A home built out of our Navasota, TX manufacturing facility!

If you’re in Texas and looking for a quality manufactured home, look no further than Champion® Homes’ Navasota Manufacturing Facility! Roughly an hour drive from the epicenter of Houston, this manufacturing facility in a thriving small town has been very well received in the marketplace without even being open for a year yet!   

Things To Know About Our Navasota, TX Facility: 

  • This facility focuses on building our most affordable homes! 
  • This facility has been recognized by the state of Texas for all the jobs they’re providing in the area. Wow! 
  • Has a training program for people coming in with little experience, which allows most to be promoted quickly. 
  • Puts safety first as proven by its great safety record. 
  • Provides a selection of straightforward home plans that are brought to life with quality. 
  • The Dakota is a beautiful model built out of our Navasota manufacturing facility. Swipe through to check it out!

When it comes to the charming old railroad town of Navasota, our Champion Homes manufacturing facility is really setting a new standard. If you were a fly on the wall looking into the culture of the facility, you’d see the paid-for Sno Cone truck every Wednesday in the Summer, big family-style BBQ dinners, exceptionally clean working protocol and, above all, a level of utmost respect for customers and employees.  

If you’re looking for quality mobile homes in Texas, then what you’re really looking for is a manufactured home by Champion Homes of Navasota. Interested in finding the Texas manufactured home for you? Get in touch with a local retailer today! 

Champion Homes Home Building

Why Our Homes Are Energy Efficient

And why you’ll feel right at home in your pick

We’ve all been there. Getting that energy bill that makes you legitimately reconsider every single decision you’ve made until this point. Needless to say, it’s an eye-opening experience for sure. This experience is part of the reason why we champion energy efficient practices in the building of our homes.  

Our homes are built to meet high thermal efficiency requirements, meaning they feature: 

  • Low-E windows 
  • Airtight building envelope  
  • Insulation values that meet or exceed code standards for keeping homes comfortable 
  • Optional features such as LED lighting packages and programmable thermostats 

This keeps you living comfortably inside your home and keeps the elements living outside of the home.

Our manufactured homes and our modular homes are energy efficient, but the standards and requirements differ for each.  They are similar but built to a different code. Each state has its own code for modular construction. For HUD manufactured homes, there are different thermal zones. HUD is also a very active EnergyStar® proponent, though not all HUD homes are EnergyStar® certified, so be sure to search with this detail in mind if it’s important to you. 

Northwood A-46653

EnergyStar® certified homes “are designed and built better from the ground up,” as per the U.S. Department of Energy. This means they are built using more stringent thermal assemblies related to walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, and more! The result is better design and construction; these homes provide more sustainable and eco-friendly advantages you can trust.

The American Freedom 3270

Are you interested in taking a more energy efficient approach to your homeownership? Let’s find your dream home today.

Champion Homes Featured Homes, Home Building, Home Buying, Home Decor

WATCH: We’re on Lifetime TV’s Military Makeover: Operation Career! 

Watch the special to learn about Champion’s commitment to our veterans

This is not a drill: Champion® Homes and Star Fleet Trucking will be featured in a full episode of Military Makeover: Operation Career on Lifetime Television. As part of the special, you’ll be able to meet and follow along with 3 of our employees who have bravely served their country in the United States Military as they speak about how they transfer the skills and values they gained in duty to their roles here at Champion. 

Behind -the-scenes!

You’ll also hear from our President and CEO, Mark Yost, as he speaks to the importance of hiring and valuing veterans in the workforce. At Champion Homes, we take very seriously our company-wide dedication to provide quality homes to hard-working Americans, and hiring veterans fits perfectly in line with that goal.  

Get to Know More About the Featured Employees:

While we proudly employ many veterans on our team at Champion Homes, the Military Makeover: Operation Career special will feature 3 from various areas in Champion Homes and Star Fleet Trucking. You’ll learn more about their stories in the episode, but here’s an intro on who they are and what they do: 

  • Trish Nowak, Safety Director for Star Fleet Trucking  
  • Ron Baer, Jr., Star Fleet Truck Driver  
  • Scott Kennemuth, former Operations Manager for Champion Homes 

Hosted by Montel Williams, Military Makeover: Operation Career speaks to the opportunities we offer veterans at Champion Homes and Star Fleet Trucking

How Can I Watch the Special? 

Many of us personally know someone who has served in the U.S. Military, so this episode will surely warm your heart and remind you of the freedoms to cherish every day. If you’re interested in watching the Champion Homes and Star Fleet Trucking episode of Military Makeover: Operation Career, keep reading. 

The show airs on November 30th at 7:30 AM EST/PST time on Lifetime TV.  

Champion Homes Home Building

All About Prefab Homes 

Get the 4-1-1 on Prefabricated Homes and Their Benefits

Though they’ve been around for over 100 years, prefab homes are becoming an increasingly popular housing option for homebuyers looking to make a purchase that’s affordable and sustainable. As their popularity soars, your curiosity is sure to grow with it! If you want to know what there is to know about prefabricated homes and how to get your own, keep reading! 

Model 2444 will bring all your #coastalvibes dreams to life! 

First thing first, what is a prefab home? Well, another term for prefabricated homes is “factory-built homes.” This second term might shed more light on what a prefab home really is: a home built and designed in an off-site facility and then transported to the site for assembly and finishing. Prefabricated homes are brought to their final site about 90% already done.  

The World of Prefab Homes

So, now you know “prefabricated” refers to how and where a home is built. Now it’s time to learn about the different types of prefabricated homes available to you! 

  • Manufactured 
    • Factory-built homes built to the HUD code. To learn more about manufactured homes, click HERE.  
  • Modular 
    • Factory-built homes built to local and state codes. To learn more about modular homes, click HERE.  

The Claremont

Why Are Prefabricated Homes More Affordable? 

Factory-built homes are more affordable because they are more efficient. Let us explain. Having the luxury of building homes in a climate-controlled facility means a lot of great things. One of those means being able to pre-plan and pre-buy materials according to what we know we will build each day. This means fewer materials are wasted because we can allot what we buy to our standard building output. Also, using a skilled labor force means workers are assembled efficiently as well. This means multiple homes are finished in our building facilities every day!  

What Are Some More Benefits of Prefabricated Homes? 

Sustainability, energy efficiency and timeline, just to name a few! 

And there you have it! As you can probably see, prefab homes are pretty darn cool! And at Champion® Homes, we like to think ours are the coolest. Ready to make the leap into factory-built housing? Talk to a retailer near you for your best options today!  

Champion Homes Home Building

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.

  • Manufactured home exterior
  • Manufactured home dining room
  • Manufactured home kitchen
  • Manufactured home kitchen
  • Manufactured home built-in shelves
  • Manufactured home living room
  • Manufactured home primary bedroom
  • Manufactured home primary bathroom

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.

  • Modular home exterior
  • Modular home kitchen
  • Modular home kitchen
  • Modular home living room
  • Modular home primary bath
  • Modular home primary bath shower
  • Modular home primary bedroom

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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Champion Homes Home Building

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!

  • Yes, its a manufactured home!
  • Manufactured home kitchen
  • Manufactured home kitchen
  • Manufactured home living room
  • Manufactured Home decor
  • Manufactured home bedroom decor
  • Manufactured home primary bathroom
  • Manufactured home primary bathroom

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.

The Transitions 20727 makes saying "yes to the house" so easy.
The Transitions 20727 makes saying “yes to the house” so easy.

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.

Champion Homes Home Building

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 home exterior
  • Kitchen decor in a modular home
  • Modular home kitchen
  • Modular home dining room
  • Modular home living room
  • Modular home primary bedroom
  • Modular home primary bathroom shower
  • Modular home primary bathroom

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.