Specialists in the Construction of Modular/Systems-Built Homes
Serving the Counties of Central Virginia: Amelia Chesterfield, Cumberland, Nottoway and Powhatan
When considering a new home, purchasers must decide which of the three basic types of home they will build or purchase: (1) a traditional site-built home, (2) a modular/systems-built home or (3) a manufactured home.
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Site-Built Homes |
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The traditional way to build a house has long been described as "stick-built homes", that is, assembling the building, on site, out of sticks - pieces of lumber that are cut and nailed together into walls and roof trusses, then linked together and sheathed with plywood on the exterior and drywall on the interior, and finished with shingles, clapboard, vinyl siding, adobe or some kind of brick or brick veneer.
There are disadvantages to this type of building; weather is always a factor, shutting down work sites, damaging materials and making work uncomfortably cold, hot, or wet for construction workers. Measuring, cutting, fitting, and nailing each "stick" into a whole house is tedious and time-consuming; mistakes waste materials and drive up costs. Today, the term of reference is no longer "stick-built", but rather "site-built homes".
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| 2. |
Systems-Built/Modular Homes |
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A modular/systems-built home is defined by the Modular Systems Building Council as follows:
As determined by the floor plan, two (2) or more units are built in a factory almost to completion, transported to the site location and installed on a foundation using a crane. Any remaining construction is done on-site.
The National Home Builders Association states:
From 1992-2002, modular housing production increased 48%. Not to be confused with "mobile homes", modular homes are built to the same standards and codes of site-built homes in a fraction of the time.... Modular homes are becoming the green answer in residential building.
When FEMA studied the destruction wrought by Hurricane Andrew in Dade County, Florida (www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2765), they concluded that modular and masonry homes fared best compared to other construction. |
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Manufactured/Mobile Home |
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Mobile homes are constructed with a steel chassis that is integral to the integrity of the floor system. Mobile homes (manufactured homes) are constructed according to the HUD Code and are generally considered lesser quality. Mobile homes often require special lenders. |
In summary, buying a home is a big commitment - both emotionally and financially, and here at AHCVA we are well aware of that. A well-constructed home can bring years of enjoyment and peace of mind, while minimizing the time and cost of maintaining that home.
For information on how we can specifically help you, contact us.
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804-337-5176
