Modular Homes in Michigan

Mistakes in Designing the Modular Home Floor Plan and How To Avoid Them

Posted by Legendary Homes on October 21, 2014 in Modular Homes with No Comments Yet
Modular Home and Universal Design

Modular Home in Michigan

You choose a modular home that you think will be ideal for you and your family and once you move into, and then you wonder why that floor plan doesn’t work. Many homeowners make common mistakes when looking for the best floor plan to fit their needs.

Whether you are getting ready to design your floor plan with an architect, choosing from a list of modular home floor plans with your modular builder, or house hunting for an existing home in Jackson Michigan, you won’t want to miss these tips on how to avoid the mistakes on designing a modular home floor plan.

Don’t Assume every Modular Home Floor Plan fits your Lifestyle

One of the biggest mistakes when choosing the right modular home floor plan is that you forget to picture your own family cooking in the kitchen or you don’t take into consideration how your bad back may not like going up 3 flights of stairs throughout the day.

Assess your lifestyle before choosing a floor plan. Do you like a single story or multistory home? Do you prefer an open floor plan or are individual rooms with partitions better? Determine what you have become accustomed to in a comfortable home.

Don’t Assume You Have No understanding on Modular home Floor Plan Drawings

If you recently started looking or designing your next modular home, more than likely you will need to review architectural drawings or floor plan drawings. While for many design professionals it is second nature, for many homeowners the symbols and jargon can be difficult to understand. Don’t assume you are supposed to know what every door swing, window, stair, and multi-story space looks like on a floor plan. Don’t make the mistake of assuming just ask.

Ensure Modular Home Features won’t Cost you more in the Future

There is nothing like getting excited about modular home features that look beautiful on a floor plan and feel even nicer when standing inside of the finished home. Details like expansive floor to ceiling windows, skylights and other architectural features could have an impact on heating and cooling your home when your energy bill arrives. While it may not be a concern now, think of green cost savings on your modular home features of your floor plan for future living too.

Consider the Location of the Modular Home

While you can change your modular home floor plan in the future, remember you can’t change the location. With this in mind, don’t make the mistake of falling in love with a floor plan and forgetting about the property and surroundings of your home. If you fall in love with the layout of a master bedroom in floor plan, but don’t like how it looks out over the street in the model home – chances are your home in your location will have a totally different aesthetic and view resulting in a completely different feel. Remember when choosing a floor plan; ensure the interiors will fit with your location.

Choose a Modular Home Floor Plan that works with your Budget Now

One mistake modular home buyers often make when looking at floor plans is over spending for the future, rather than planning for the present. You can always upgrade your modular home. From finishes and innovative additions to possibly adding area and amenities. Don’t get oversold from a home selling agent or a developer’s representative – only you know your budget. It is always great to plan for your budget now so you will feel comfortable living in your home and not feel “financially strained. Legendary Homes Inc. offers many modular home options that include unfinished space which can be a great way to fit today’s budget while leaving the potential to improve and expand in the future.

In case you still have question about modular homes, you may contact Legendary Homes Inc in Jackson, Michigan. A representative will be happy to assist you. Meanwhile you can check our modular home price sheets by signing up to our blog

Topic: Modular Home

Mistakes You Should Avoid To Have a Successful Modular Home Construction

Posted by Legendary Homes on October 20, 2014 in Modular Homes with No Comments Yet

Modular Home with Precast Concrete BasementPeople choose modular home because they offer time and cost savings. Not all savings are necessarily a wise decision. Before you proceed with your factory built home you should read this article and learn which shortcuts to avoid. By avoiding these modular home mistakes you will be much happier and richer in the long term. The “mistakes” we list are generalized. They may not apply to you but more often than not they will.

Do Not Purchase the Modular Home based on Cost per Square Foot

The common question of asking how much a modular home cost per square foot is not an informative value and is often misunderstood. An example is like asking how much floor covering cost is per square foot. You may receive a price quote for inexpensive linoleum tiles, however your expectations are for ceramic tiles. This is one example of the hundreds of variables that will affect the price of your project. Certainly, you will receive a quote for the cheapest flooring material just to get the sale. The same misconceptions are true in home construction. Modular home floor plan costs vary greatly due to the differences that are unique to each home as a result of the quality of construction. A lower cost per square foot home is due to a lower quality construction and material used in the home and the reason why the cost per square footage cost can be a very misleading number.

Do Not Purchase from Modular Home Retailers who are Not Licensed Builders

The majority of modular home sales centers are only licensed to sell homes, and are not licensed builders. As a result, there is a tendency to underestimate the total cost that includes the site work required to prepare the land for your home. Dealers give the homebuyer the illusion of a low price, not only because they don’t have the experience of the actual construction costs, but also because they want to sell you a home and send you on your way. Modular home dealers who are not licensed builder do not have the expertise to provide a cost estimate for a foundation, well, septic, driveway, tree clearing, land excavation and all the others costs to make sure your home is properly built.

Do Not Act as your own Modular Home General Contractor

Perform a risk assessment before you act as your own modular home general contractor. An assessment will help you understand the risks involved if you choose to act as your own general contractor. Compare the savings versus the risks involved if something goes wrong. Understand that a subcontractor is only responsible for their specific part, not the entire project.

Do Not Purchase based on the Lowest Price

Be an educated buyer and confirm everything that is included in the price. If you are unsure, do not be afraid to ask what is included in the price. If the price only includes the house, then you must price out the home preparation work. The entire home cost should also include the excavation, septic system, foundation, electrical, mechanical, permits, well, and other necessary prerequisites before you take delivery of your home. Obtain a complete detailed list of the items included from your home retailer. Review everything on the list so that your home will be built to the quality level you expect and includes all the necessary items to complete your project.

Know the Difference between Modular Home vs. Mobile Home

Understand the difference between a modular home and a mobile home built to modular specifications. The differences can affect the price of the home and its resale value, as well as the finance costs. Some mobile home manufacturers are building floor plan designs to meet the higher standards of modular building codes, instead of the standard HUD codes that apply to mobile homes. These homes are priced less, however there are differences in the quality and design of the homes that homebuyers should be aware of before purchasing these homes. These mobile homes are generally one-story and are designed to go on a crawl space therefore the heating system does not have the capacity to heat a basement area, and the structural integrity does not have the same quality as a modular home.

In case you still have question about modular homes, you may contact Legendary Homes Inc in Jackson, Michigan. A representative will be happy to assist you. Meanwhile you can check our modular home price sheets by signing up to our blog

Topic: Modular Home

Reasons to Take the Modular Home Construction As Your Next Project

Posted by Legendary Homes on October 19, 2014 in Modular Homes with No Comments Yet
Modular Home Construction with an Insulated Precast Foundation

Modular Home in Michigan

Modular home construction is one of the fastest growing sectors of the construction industry. It is an industry where many have given their utmost trust. Modular construction triples the savings of homeowners as it provides self- efficient home.

Modular Home Construction is Controlled

A modular home is constructed of building materials in a controlled factory setting. The factory setting allows manufacturers of modular homes to use automated and technologically advanced systems and machinery in an assembly-line fashion.

Modular Home Construction Follows the Building Codes

Modular homes are built to the exact same prescriptive building codes that local modular home builders meet. It is the job of the manufacturer and the local builder to design each individual home to the local building code. Modular homes are also built using the exact same building materials in site-built homes.

Modular homes are appraised and financed exactly in the same manner as site-built homes. Most jurisdictions zone and treat modular homes as any other residential structure, and the industry is educating those jurisdictions that may act differently.

Modular Home Construction is Monitored Accordingly

A state certified or third party inspector will inspect the homes during the factory construction phase. A local inspector inspects all work done on-site, both prior to module erection and assembly, and any work completed thereafter.

Modular Home Construction is a Cooperative Work

A modular home manufacturer works directly with a modular home dealer or builder or general contractor. A successful partnership between a modular manufacturer and a local builder or dealer or general contractor is absolutely necessary for a successful modular home project.

By building off-site, a modular home manufacturer creates greater efficiency and allows builders to become more productive, thereby building more homes and creating jobs locally.

Big Savings Are Harvested with Modular Home Construction

On-time and volume purchasing enables manufacturers to build homes at a reduced cost, which then are passed onto the consumer. More importantly, the modular construction process saves time. By shortening the construction time, a builder is better able to manage the soft costs of construction, thereby increasing efficiencies and saving money, which again is passed onto the consumer.

In case you still have question about modular homes, you may contact Legendary Homes Inc in Jackson, Michigan. A representative will be happy to assist you. Meanwhile you can check our modular home price sheets by signing up to our blog

Topic: Modular Home

How Does a General Contractor Wow in Modular Home Construction

Posted by Legendary Homes on October 18, 2014 in Modular Home Builder with No Comments Yet
Modular Home and General Contractor

Building of Modular Home On- Site

Being a general contractor is a hard way to make an easy living. There are lots of moving parts totally out of control when doing modular home construction. Things aren’t perfect including the plans, specifications, field conditions, inspectors, subcontractors, suppliers, deliveries, conflicts, and payments. Customers expect everything from a general contractor to go exactly as scheduled, with perfect quality, no hiccups or extra costs.

The problem with the modular home construction business is every party wants to make more money by providing the minimum. Scope of work is clearly defined and most contracts are awarded to the lowest qualified bidder based on price. The bidder who offers better service for more money rarely gets the contract. This causes every general contractor to balance providing great service and exceptional quality while making a fair profit.

General Contractors Man the Job

When working with a modular home project, be prepared to properly man projects with enough qualified trained workers. A larger modular home job may take 5 to 10 men to maintain the schedule. If you only have 5 men on your entire crew, don’t bid it and hope you can find enough help when you need them.

A General Contractor is Well Financed

Subcontractors and suppliers who are undercapitalized, usually don’t have enough working capital or an adequate bank line of credit to handle the work they can get. This causes a cash-flow crunch which doesn’t allow them to hire enough help to get their jobs done on-time. This creates stress and causes their businesses to run inefficiently. This makes everyone upset including the general contractor, construction manager, project developer while it hurts the other subcontractors on the job. The underfinanced subcontractor then makes their problem become their customer’s problem, which ends up in lost profits and no repeat work.

To run a successful modular home construction, a general contractor should at least have 20% of his annual sales volume in working capital plus a bank line of credit of at least 15% of annual sales as a backup.

A General Contractor Manages the Contract

A reputable general contractor reads the contract thoroughly. He knows the by-laws of the contract and everything in between. Most contractors sit and discuss the contract with the home owner before doing the job.

 Be A Pro- Active General Contractor

A pro-active subcontractor is on top of every job they have a contract to build. They don’t wait for customers to call. They take responsibility for monitoring all their projects by visiting jobsites early and staying in touch with project superintendents on a regular basis. When they get the call to start, they’re ready, the materials are approved and available, the foreman is familiar with the project, and they are ready to man the job as required to maintain the schedule.

 

In case you still have question about modular homes, you may contact Legendary Homes Inc in Jackson, Michigan. A representative will be happy to assist you. Meanwhile you can check our modular home price sheets by signing up to our blog

Topic: General Contractor

Hiring a General Contractor to Incorporate Universal Design in your Modular Home

Posted by Legendary Homes on October 17, 2014 in General Contractor with No Comments Yet

Modular Home General ContractorIf you have decided to install the Universal Design features to your modular home, hire a reputable general contractor. A general contractor will take charge of the project, ordering materials, getting necessary building permits, and hiring subcontractors or workers as needed. Subcontractors can be hired to do part of the work, but in this case, you or a family member will become the general contractor with all the responsibility of ordering materials and scheduling work.

Get Referrals from Previous Clients

When hiring a general contractor, it is better to get recommendations from friends or neighbors who have had similar project as yours. To have a satisfactory experience with a contractor, hire one with a good reputation and spell out, in writing, all the parts of the contract. It is a good idea to talk with and get estimates from more than one contractor or firm. Get referrals from friends or neighbors. Modular home improvement stores often have installation services available or have a list of recommended installers.

Check the License or Certification of the General Contractor

It is always a wise move to hire a licensed and bonded general contractor. This is to ensure that all money and effort is placed into worth. Check with your local housing department regarding the modular home general contractor’s reliability and performance record.

Discuss the Contract or Features of the Modular Home First

Ask the general contractor for references and check the references before signing a contract. Get everything in writing. Only sign a contract after thoroughly reading it and be sure that you are comfortable with the language. You have the right to modify the contract wording to meet your expectations before you sign it. The general contractor must then initial changes for the contract to be binding.

Write down features you would like before signing a contract or beginning construction. Have the general contractor figure the cost of these features into his or her price to complete the project to your specifications.

In case you still have question about modular homes, you may contact Legendary Homes Inc in Jackson, Michigan. A representative will be happy to assist you. Meanwhile you can check our modular home price sheets by signing up to our blog

Topic: General Contractor

 

Designing the Accessible Modular Home for Persons with Hearing Impairment

Posted by Legendary Homes on October 16, 2014 in Modular Homes with No Comments Yet
Modular Home and Universal Design

Modular Home in Michigano

Modular home floor plans can be easily modified to meet universal design features, or be customized as much as needed to meet your specific accessibility requirements.  It can accommodate persons with hearing impairment most especially. In addition to the floor plan, a good accessible modular home design will need to include plans for entrances to the home as well as access to the landscape and outdoor entertainment.

Accessible modular home design is not just about putting in a wheelchair ramp or a lift; it is about the comfortable enjoyment of home, family, and friends. It is a standard of living that provides a quality experience for everyone in the home.

Universal Design for Modular Home

Universal Design overlaps and exceeds most all requirements. The concept of universal design is to make all spaces accessible to the greatest number of people with the greatest possible range of abilities.  This is the same principle behind aging-in-place. People are starting to look to the future and plan a home that will accommodate their needs as they age, or need to take in an aging parent, or care for an injured family member, or simply to have friends with disabilities over to watch the game.  Universal Design is a smart design choice for many reasons, including resale value.

Features of Modular Home for People with Hearing Impairment

The main goal of designing toward specific disabilities is to provide the highest level of ease of use, safety, comfort, and independence.  If you are designing your modular home for yourself, or someone that will be living with you who has a hearing loss, it is important to plan for your immediate needs, and to plan for the future and any expected changes in abilities.  Adding additional alert systems, and wiring for them, now will save you money and disruption later on if you have to retrofit theses features. Some of the features you may want to add to the design of your modular home are alarms systems such as flashing lights, loud sounds, or bed shaking;outlets near phone jacks for TTYs and other devices; anda window or viewing panel by the entry door to identify visitors

Universal Design for modular home minimizes background noises, for example: locate air conditioning equipment away from main living and/or entertaining areas. It can also keep open spaces for visibility and ensure lighting is sufficient for visual communication.

In case you still have question about modular homes, you may contact Legendary Homes Inc in Jackson, Michigan. A representative will be happy to assist you. Meanwhile you can check our modular home price sheets by signing up to our blog

Topic: Modular Home

Explaining the Roles and Responsibilities of General Contractor and Subcontractor in Modular Home Construction

Posted by Legendary Homes on October 15, 2014 in General Contractor with No Comments Yet

Modular Home Construction with a General ContractorWhen dealing with modular home construction, you enter the realm of general contractor and subcontractor. But what’s the difference between the roles and responsibilities of a general contractor and subcontractor?

General Contractor versus Subcontractor

General contractor is someone who has a contract directly with the owner of the property of a project, or with someone “knowingly permitted” by the owner to improve the project. He is the “big picture” thinker. They work with you through the entire project, from the idea phase to the finished product. General contractors are more like managers and coordinators, but many have a crew of their own and perform some of the subcontract tasks.

By contrast, a subcontractor comes and goes. Subcontractor is someone hired by the general contractor, rather than the owner, or the owner’s agent. They specialize in certain areas of the construction process, like large equipment operation, concrete formulation, plumbing, electricity and carpentry. They enter a project to do a particular task and leave when that task is finished. The subcontractors are responsible for specific trades, most are the minor program from the overall project. Thus, the agreement to do the work is never made directly between the subcontractor and the owner.

Fees of General Contractor versus Subcontractor

By law, the subcontractor will be paid only if the general contractor is first paid by the owner, whereas under a “pay-when-paid” provision, the subcontractor will be paid when the contractor is paid by the owner. A pay-if-paid provision creates a condition precedent to the contractor’s duty to pay its subcontractor and the risk of an owner’s non-payment is shared by the contractor and the subcontractor. With a pay-when-paid clause, the general contractor has a duty to pay the subcontractor whether or not the contractor receives payment from the owner, and payment will be due the subcontractor within a reasonable time after the owner should have paid the contractor.

Employees of General Contractor versus Subcontractor

If you decide to hire a general contractor, he or she may have a permanent staff of employees. In this case, you might have few, if any, subcontractors involved in your project. Hiring employees versus subcontractors is an economic decision. The employer — in this case, the general contractor — must pay salaries and purchase worker’s compensation insurance for employees.

Since subcontractors are independent business people, general contractors don’t have to pay to insure them or pay employment taxes on them. Hiring subcontractors for overflow work or to perform tasks that call for expertise that isn’t needed on a regular basis saves expenses for the general contractor and ultimately, for you.

In case you still have question about modular homes, you may contact Legendary Homes Inc in Jackson, Michigan. A representative will be happy to assist you. Meanwhile you can check our modular home price sheets by signing up to our blog

Topic: General Contractor

Start your Research and Hire a Great General Contractor for your Modular Home Today!

Posted by Legendary Homes on October 14, 2014 in General Contractor with No Comments Yet

Modular Home General ContractorLooking for a reputable general contractor can be daunting especially if you are a first time home buyer. To alleviate your concerns, here some tips on hiring a general contractor for your modular home;

Ask for Referrals When searching for a Reputable General Contractor

If you live in an area that has plenty of resources, ask around at your local home improvement store or lumber yard for contractors they have seen buying quality products. Be mindful of contractors that few people have heard of, or haven’t seen where they purchase their building materials. Poor quality building materials can be the beginning of an awful modular home construction.

Ask Questions over the Phone First

Before having a general contractor come out to your home, ask them interview questions by phone. Questions should include:  *What other projects have they done that are similar in size and complexity as your project? *What are their payment requirements? (Avoid contractors who only accept cash, or require you to write a check directly to them instead of the business) *Ask if their license is current and when it expires *Where is their office located.

Meet the General Contractor in Person

Once you feel comfortable over the phone, it is time to meet the general contractor at your home.  Don’t ignore your gut feeling when talking with a general contractor.  When you ask them questions, the contractor should be able to answer concisely and not seem hesitant.  Ask them in person again for projects that you can go see, or ask for contact information of previous clients and projects.

Get at least 3-4 bids on your Modular Home project

Each general contractor should ask for floor plans of your home, and get a list of your wants and needs from you.  Have the contractor explain how they will begin, execute and finish the project from beginning to end.  Ask each general contractor to divide their bids into categories for easy determination of what you are really paying for. Categories should include: labor, materials, profit and miscellaneous expenses.

Don’t choose the General Contractor with the Cheapest Price

Although tempting, don’t go with the lowest price general contractor.  They could be the lowest because of low quality materials, or they are desperate and haven’t worked recently.  Choose one that you feel comfortable with their personality, price, background, and methods. Put everything in writing and make a schedule of milestones in which to pay the contractor. Assure that your contractor gets a lien release which will protect you if they don’t pay their subcontractors and bills. Remember a quality contractor will not give you a “low ball” offer.

In case you still have question about modular homes, you may contact Legendary Homes Inc in Jackson, Michigan. A representative will be happy to assist you. Meanwhile you can check our modular home price sheets by signing up to our blog

Topic: General Contractor

How the Modular Home Floor Plan Customization Process Works

Posted by Legendary Homes on October 13, 2014 in Modular Homes with No Comments Yet
modular home floor plan by Redman Homes, Champion Homes, Legendary Homes Inc.

60′ by 26′ Modular Home Floor Plan

Although some people find modular home floor plan that fit their needs perfectly, the majority of floor plans are modified before they are built. Nearly all modular home builders in Jackson, Michigan are very accustomed to this and have a process in place to handle modular home floor plan modifications.

Look for a Modular Home Floor Plan

The modular home floor plan customization process starts with you looking at different floor plans and considering which one have features you like most.  Once you have some ideas on what you like and don’t like, it’s time to talk to a modular builder to discuss how to modify the floor plan to meet your needs exactly.  Most modular builders offer consultation services to assist you in making plan modifications.

Have a Picture of the Floor Plan You Want

If you already have a floor plan you like, it is much easier for you. Customization will be smooth sailing because you have a definite style on a specific area of the modular home.

Look for a Modular Home Builder

Find a builder to discuss what modifications you want for the existing modular home floor plan.  Nearly all plans can be built using modular technology, although some may need some minor changes to be made ‘modular-friendly’ so that you can benefit most from the efficiencies of modular construction.

Get Your Modular Builder Involved

Discussing plan modifications is a great way to get to know a modular builder before hiring them to build you a home.  If you have a modular builder already, now is a great time to bring them into the conversation.  If you are looking for a local modular builder

Ask for the Cost of Modular Home Floor Plan Customization

Since it professional takes time and resources, there may be fees associated with making plan modifications.  Fees, if any, can vary greatly based on many factors.  In many cases these fees can be applied toward the purchase of your new modular home. Contact your builder to inquire about possible fees and if they can be applied to a home purchase.

In case you still have question about modular homes, you may contact Legendary Homes Inc in Jackson, Michigan. A representative will be happy to assist you. Meanwhile you can check our modular home price sheets by signing up to our blog

Topic: Modular Home Floor Plan

Legendary Homes Inc. Provides A Sustainable Modular Home in Jackson, Michigan

Posted by Legendary Homes on October 12, 2014 in Modular Homes with No Comments Yet

Sustainable Modular HomeA modular home promotes sustainability, simplicity and livability. Legendary Homes Inc. is among the best contractors that offer sustainable modular home in Jackson, Michigan.

Organized and Effective Modular Home Construction Process

Because the components of a modular home are mass produced in a controlled and protected factory, manufacturers use materials much more efficiently than traditional construction. The manufacturers ensure that construction process is organized to produce less waste and to ensure that the components fit together precisely, which make the modular home airtight. The construction site impacts, such as noise, waste and polluted water run-off, are dramatically reduced.

Because of the factory construction of these buildings, modular dwelling are very affordable and environmentally friendly, result in low waste, and have the ability to service remote locations. They can be constructed in a few short weeks, with minimal weather delays.

Use of Solar Panels

Remember it’s not all about the modular home itself. Solar panels can be used to attain a sustainable modular home. Solar panels generate energy for the home especially if it is located in a remote location or far from the city or power source. For passive solar design, align living areas to the north to capture free heat and sunlight, but note the main eco-drawback of modular homes is they don’t have a lot of thermal mass, which helps to even out temperature extremes. Still, a modular home that has achieved a high quality rating will compensate for the lack of thermal mass.

Sustainable Modular Home has High Levels of Insulation

The modular home retains heat in the cool months due to high levels of insulation in the roof and walls and double-glazed windows throughout. Its house energy rating was boosted to high quality and efficient ratings; the concrete was poured over a layer of the walls of the modular home that help insulate the basement from the ground’s temperature changes.

In case you still have question about modular homes, you may contact Legendary Homes Inc in Jackson, Michigan. A representative will be happy to assist you. Meanwhile you can check our modular home price sheets by signing up to our blog

Topic: Modular Home








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