Comparing Residential Style and Entry Level Manufactured Homes

Manufactured homes come in a wide variety of shapes, styles and sizes that start from 400 square feet and ranging up to thousands of finished square feet. Many of these styles can been seen from our weekly featured homes photo gallery. Let’s over-simplify and say that manufactured homes come in two broad categories – entry level and residential style homes, and then let’s take a look at a brief description of both.

First, ALL manufactured homes have to meet tough federal safety and construction standards – known as the HUD Code for manufactured housing – that preempt all local building codes. Insurance, government and other research has demonstrated that modern manufactured homes are safer against fires, lower cost to build or maintain and have lower energy usage that similar sized/configurations of conventionally ‘on site’ constructed homes. This holds true for entry level as well as residential style manufactured homes.

That said, what are the differences between these two styles of manufactured homes?

Entry level homes may use ‘fit and finish’ items that are less expensive than their residential style manufactured home counterparts.

One of many residential styles of manufactured homes9′ Ceilings – Crown Molding – Custom Merrillat CabinetryTwo Story “Cape Cod” style

For example, just as some ‘entry level’ site-builders may use wrapped (MDF) cabinetry, so too may producers of entry level manufactured homes. Entry level manufactured homes may have:

• 84” or 90” sidewalls. When built in this fashion, these often have a ‘cathedral’ or peak ceiling to give the feel and look of more space.

• Less expensive windows or doors (while still meeting all safety and energy standards).

• VOG (vinyl over gypsum) interior walls with batten strips vs. fully finished drywall.

VOG walls and batten strips can be seen on some of the featured model homes, including this one linked here. You can find advantages to almost everything, and the advantages of VOG walls with batten strips include (but are not limited to) the following:

• easy cleaning (these walls can cleanup with a cleaner like 409 and a sponge), because it has a wall paper like vinyl covering.

• No need to paint (but can be painted if desired).

• Lower cost (roughly $2500 to $4000 (+/-) less expensive than fully finished drywall models).

• When you have less conditioned space to heat and cool, the result can be lower utility bills.

Most manufacturers today offer an ‘upgrade’ from VOG to finished drywall as an option.

Simply, Amazing!

A well established, award winning retailer in Pataskala, Ohio provided the photos of this single sectional manufactured home that is approximately 1165 square feet. This 3 bedroom 2 full bath home features:

• built-in entertainment center living room cabinetry

• galley style kitchen

• separate dining area off kitchen

• easy clean, VOG walls

• energy saver package

• kitchen appliances and much more.

Installed on a home site with central air conditioning, this model sells in the mid-to upper 30s. That works out to be less than $35 per square foot for a permanent home with full warranties and ready to live in! Simply, amazing!

Comparing…Just Imagine…

With a short term (15 year) loan with good credit at current rates on a home site leased for around $320 monthly, you could live in a home like the one shown in the photos above for about $650 a month, principle and interest (insurance or other escrows can make this higher). That makes it considerably lower in cost than most new, rented 2 or 3 bedroom apartments in nearby Columbus, which may go for $900 to $1200 a month.


Obviously, someone could also place this home on a purchased site, so the ‘land lease’ manufactured home community option shared above – while popular in many areas – is one of a variety of siting options available for a home buyer.

Are single sectionals all entry level?

While some think that all single-section manufactured homes ‘must be’ entry level, this is not true!

You can see more photos of a single section, residential style manufactured home in our featured home photo gallery here, and this video is of a single section (“single wide”) residential style manufactured home.



Modern manufactured homes can be:

• ranch style

• multi-level (Cape Code, two story, etc.)

• installed over a full basement

• can include a garage, carport, etc.

As the popular video report linked here demonstrates, a manufactured home rivals conventional construction in durability, even in severe weather. So durability, safety, energy savings aren't sacrificed when you, family or friends invest in a modern manufactured home.

As more and more people discover and realize the incredible value, durability, safety, energy and costs savings that modern manufactured homes offer, this will fuel the already rising demand for America’s quality, appealing and affordable factory-built homes.

Contact us today for more information on our Modular Building Solutions.

Source: MH Living News. Comparing Residential Style and Entry Level Manufactured Homes [Web log post]. Retrieved October 16, 2013, from http://manufacturedhomelivingnews.com/

Replacing ND Man Camps with Modular Structures

The Bakken oil boom has been a terrific boost to North Dakota's economy, but it has been a mixed blessing as Williams County regulators struggle with the burgeoning man camps that have sprung up to house oil workers. These temporary housing structures are of varying quality prompting county officials to find safer and more efficient living quarters that will continue to be useful once the population stabilizes.

Modular structures offer an excellent alternative to temporary man camps. They can be quickly moved into place as the need for workforce housing increases and relocated if needs change. Construction time is greatly minimized since site work and building construction occurs simultaneously. The modular units can function as stand-alone facilities or they can be combined and configured into large complexes or residential communities.

One of the best features of modular housing units and modular buildings is that they are flexible. They can be quickly disassembled and relocated as needs arise. This flexibility is perfect for county regulators in North Dakota because they can designate different locations for temporary housing to accommodate infrastructure and zoning needs, and the structures can be easily moved to the new location with little disruption to the environment or the workforce.

With the sudden and large influx of temporary workers, other infrastructure is essential, such as healthcare facilities for the workforce. Healthcare construction is often time consuming and costly. Modular medical buildings are gaining traction in North Dakota as quick and efficient solutions to this problem.

Structures can be custom designed or standard and may be used as an urgent care clinic or a modular hospital. Healthcare is the fastest growing segment of the modular construction market and manufacturers continue to design custom options to meet the needs of healthcare providers. The quality of these modular healthcare buildings is equal to that of traditional facilities and these units can serve as permanent structures as well.

Modular building manufacturers have made great strides in the past decades and today's modular housing units are aesthetically pleasing and integrate easily into traditional housing developments. As an added benefit, modular construction is intrinsically more environmentally friendly due to less waste in the building process and the reusable nature of the components. The benefits of modular buildings and modular housing structures offer a viable and efficient alternative to North Dakota temporary man camps.

A Modular Solution for the North Dakota Housing Shortage

There is a growing housing shortage in North Dakota that is affecting individuals, families, workers and corporations looking for adequate housing. Traditional construction is struggling to keep up with the population growth as projects typically take long to complete and cannot be mass produced. This means those looking for a traditional home may have to live far from their workplace or some are being forced to live in their vehicles until a housing solution is found. With this shortage, it is very important to provide the necessary housing for these individuals in a quick and efficient way.

One solution is found in modular construction. Modular homes are built off-site in a climate controlled factory environment and then assembled together in the final location. Unique to modular construction, as homes are being built, site work commences to install the foundation and utilities, resulting in earlier occupancy and savings. Traditional construction often takes far too long to complete.

Since a modular home is built off-site, it can be worked on as often as needed, independent from weather delays. Modular homes also give a large number of options when it comes to construction such as single or multi-family homes with dozens of style variations.

A modular housing solution improves the North Dakota housing shortage and gives residents a place they are proud to call home.

Workforce Housing for the Bakken Region

The oil industry is booming in the United States and with that comes more employment opportunities. The Bakken region in particular stands out for its fast oil industry growth, leading to an increase in the workforce population. With the additional workforce in the area, there comes a greater need for Bakken housing.

There are numerous benefits to choosing modular homes for workforce housing in the Bakken region. With the increase of workers, families and businesses to the area, there is a shortage of appropriate housing. With modular construction, homes can often be built more efficiently and faster to satisfy the housing demand. Modular homes are built off-site in a large factory environment. This helps to minimize delays in the homes construction such as poor weather conditions.

Another benefit of modular construction is how well homes are built. Modular construction is held to the same building codes and standards that traditional construction is. Often times, modular construction goes beyond the codes and standards in order to ensure the highest quality method of construction.

The mobility of modular constructed homes is another benefit for the Bakken region. Because of the nature of modular construction, homes can be built to be relocatable so that they can be transported from one work site to another as needed.

When there is a population boom and need for housing, such as in Bakken ND, modular construction is the right choice.