Modular vs. Site Built - Cost to Build

From: Michelle

"In your section on Modular Homes you answered a question asked by "Jodi". In your answer at the very end you said, "Try to use similar quality components. You can run as many variations as you want. I think you’ll find the modular less expensive. "

I am asking the same thing but with one crucial point in mind.

Is your answer based on a modular compared to a stick built by a General Contractor other than yourself? OR are you referring to building a home and being your OWN contractor compared to a modular?"

Hi Michelle,

Good question!

In my answer to Jodi, I was referring to a site (“stick”) built house by a General Contractor.

By the way, modular homes are “stick built” too, just not “on site”.
However, since I was remiss in my answer to Jodi in not comparing to an Owner/builder constructed home, let’s do it here.

Much depends on the pricing of the house from the dealer as well as the site work (excavating, foundation, finishing work, etc.) and who does that work. An Owner/builder can, and should, contract all that work too.

It takes a bit of work to compare "apples to apples".

Here's a modular home dealer, New Hampshire Modular Homes that gives home prices and a rough estimate of site work on their web site, a rarity for most web sites. It’s actually a great web site and a very thorough and helpful company, one of the best I’ve seen.

The company is a dealer for ProBuilt Homes out of PA.
Using their “Gettysburg” Model pictured below, I compared the cost to build using their numbers with you as the General Contractor for “site work” (excavating, foundation, finishing work, etc.), vs. YOU General Contracting the entire house.


The "Gettysburg" 2200 sq. ft.





I used the same geographical part of the country, New Hampshire.
Here’s what I came up with:

Modular = Model Price of $120,500 + Site Work (with YOU as the General Contractor for the site work) of $75,000 = $195,500 = $88.86 per sq. ft.

Same home, Site Built by Owner/builder = $167, 412 = $76.10 per sq. ft.

To estimate this cost, I used my resource #5 , “Building Costs by City & State”, on "Getting Started" on www.byoh.com, using “average" quality, full unfinished basement.

I deducted the General Contractor’s Markup, equipment rental, and allowed only $2,000for insurance.

Breakdown of Building Costs For This House. PDF
(You will need Adobe Reader to read this cost breakdown.)

Here is a FREE Adobe Reader download if you need it.)

You should keep in mind that the cost to build for this example, or any house plan, can vary considerably depending quality of materials selected, and on actual bids for labor and material.

The estimate for this house is an approximate one based on “average” quality materials.

Until you actually start getting bids and entering them into your own spreadsheet (see my spreadsheet page for FREE spreadsheets), it will remain approximate.

Thanks for your question and taking the time to write.
If I haven't helped, let me know,
Carl

Remember: By being the General Contractor (GC), determining building costs & hiring professionals (subcontractors) to do the actual work (That’s what a GC does), YOU can be your own General Contractor for ANY type of construction: New homebuilding to build your “Dream House”), room additions, renovation, remodeling older homes; Build log homes, kit homes, ICF Homes, Modular homes, even renovate foreclosures. Since you are the “Boss”, YOU can chose your own house plans or home plans, YOU can design your kitchen, YOU can decide to build “Green”, build with Solar, Wind, geothermal heat pumps, water saving appliances & fixtures, ENERGY STAR-qualified windows, or anything else YOU desire, and YOU can do it for a lot LESS! Think about it!