What are systems-built homes?

More people are familiar with the term “modular” than “systems-built” when describing a home that is built off-site and trucked to its permanent foundation. The short answer is that systems-built, modular, pre-fab and Factory Built Homes all mean basically the same thing. The common misconception is that site-built homes are better than Prefabricated Homes or a home built off-site.

System Built Homes are built in a manufacturing facility and consist of anywhere from 2 to 12 modules for typical homes up to 3,000 square feet. Modular homes come in all shapes and sizes. One big advantage that system built homes have over site built homes is the manufacturing facility. The manufacturing facility can build homes year round in a Controlled Environment. Systems built homes are not exposed to rain or snow. These wet weather conditions can and do lead to problems such as mold, warping or delaminating of the building materials in site built homes.

System Built Homes are built in a manufacturing facility and consist of anywhere from 2 to 12 modules for typical homes up to 3,000 square feet. Modular homes come in all shapes and sizes. One big advantage that system built homes have over site built homes is the manufacturing facility. The manufacturing facility can build homes year round in a Controlled Environment. Systems built homes are not exposed to rain or snow. These wet weather conditions can and do lead to problems such as mold, warping or delaminating of the building materials in site built homes. View our plant tour video

The truth is that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirmed that modular/off-site homes withstood a hurricane far better than site-built housing. In its report “Building Performance: Hurricane Andrew in Florida,” assessment teams from FEMA concluded that modular homes withstood the 131-155 mph winds of the Category 4 storm in August of 1992 far better than site-built housing. You may obtain a copy of this publication by contacting FEMA's distribution center at 1-800-480-2520 and requesting publication number FIA-22. Additional information is available at the FEMA site, FEMA publication file FIA-22.

Is a modular home the same as a manufactured or mobile home?

Absolutely not. A manufactured home is built on a steel frame with wheels. The home is trailered to its site, placed on blocks or a foundation and the wheels are then removed. A manufactured/mobile home is not considered “real property,” is not insured or appraised the same as a modular or stick-built home and comes with a title, much the same as a car or truck. Manufactured homes usually depreciate in value over time, unlike stick-built and modular homes which generally appreciate and are considered good investments. Manufactured homes are often referred to as “trailer homes” or “double-wides.”

Why should I choose a Kan Build home over a stick-built home?

There are four main considerations most homebuyers face after they acquire their land and decide on the look and floor plan of their new home—the price, quality, speed of construction and customization.

The Price

Because of the many variables in building a home it is not possible to provide specific pricing here on our website. Factors such as building codes, transportation laws and site preparation vary from state to state and site to site. In addition, each home owner has their own unique list of features and options that they want in their new home. For these reasons pricing is only available from our independent builders.

In the final cost analysis, frequent cost over runs, longer construction cycles and other unforeseen expenses generally make site built homes more expensive than Kan Build homes. Also remember, that our homes are finished and ready for occupancy often four to six months earlier than a stick built home saving thousands of dollars on construction loan costs. Kan Build also Guarantees it pricing. Ask a stick builder to do that.

Finally, Kan Build homes are appraised, insured, assessed and taxed exactly the same as site-built homes are. The difference is out-of-the-weather construction and speed of delivery…making your Kan Build home a better home and a better value.

The Quality

In addition to building attractive homes with great floor plans, it is the quality of a Kan Build home that sets it apart from conventional construction. Your home is built indoors in a controlled environment by highly trained craftsmen with stringent quality control standards in place. Every home is engineered to meet or exceed all state and local building codes.
A Kan Build home is indistinguishable from a site built home on the outside and it is BETTER than a site-built home on the inside. A Kan Build Home is built to withstand the stress of being trucked over hundreds of miles and being lifted by a crane to its permanent foundation. It has to be more structurally rigid to withstand these forces.

The Speed of Construction

When you start the construction process of your new home there is a great deal of excitement and anticipation. It is hard to wait for the 8 to 12 months or sometimes longer periods required for a site built home.

In addition to the tangible benefit of a shorter construction loan that puts money back in your pocket, you have the added benefits of not being displaced as long if you are renting or living with family members while your home is under construction. A shorter construction cycle also means that your new neighbors won’t have as much disruption in their lives while your home is being built next door. This, along with the reduced stress associated with fewer worries about vandalism and theft, can help make your home buying experience with an independent Kan Build Homes builder a more pleasant one.

Customization

Kan Build literally custom designs every home we build. While we have a collection of very nice “standard” plans to choose from, each one is tailored to meet the needs of each individual customer. You can modify an existing plan or design your own with Kan Build. We sit down with you in a “Design Session” meeting to discover your tastes, needs and desires. Then it is time to roll up our sleeves and translate that information into concept design. The best part of all this is… there is no cost associated with a custom design when you build a Kan Build home.