Architectural Designs

Should I build Or Should I buy a modular pre built home?

Iam planning on buying a small lot, which isn't very big in a small community, its so small that a one car garage wont even fit, which is why they have outside parking lot, and street parking, the houses there are small, about 20 to 30 wide and 60 feet long, they are small, but big enough for a small cozy house, I prefer that over a larger house, I forgot to mention its near the beach. Ive taking architectural design in high school, and i have an AA in drafting, if i plan to build the house ill do all the plans my self, and hire my own workers, and buy my own supply, or i can buy one of those modular pre built homes, but i believe that would be more expensive than just building one.

Public Comments

1. I would build your own home. you said you live by a beach so you probably have hurricanes or tropical storms, and if they are like the tornadoes we have here a modular will not hold up. also when you build from scratch its a part of you. as for the small lot you can always build up instead of out.
2. 1. Check what that area has for building codes. Sometimes the hoops you have to jump through are restrictive for building and sometimes restrictive for modular homes. Depends on the local codes & construction permits. Being the owner you may be able to do your own construction, electrical, plumbing, etc. with just inspections but that is always something you need to check on at Building & Codes. 2. Hiring workers is another thing you need to check on at Building & Codes. Many areas they are requireing contractor licenses and building costs go up because of "control laws". 3. Building your own design could help you utilize you view, lot size and etc to the max. That is a positive. 4. As for hurricane & tornadoes that tear your house apart, there is flooding that needs to be address when near water. Building your own home can give you the opportunity to build in the best protection of your home. That is a positive. 5. Pre-build homes are now required to be stronger to meet hurricanes and etc. but again this "safety" requirement is still falling under Building & Codes and depends on how strict they are. 6. Check with your insurance agent. Sometimes you need to purchase or build something with the designs that they say are safe. That may be the shape of your house or the type of roof you have. 7. And bank loans... with our recent financial climate, they will probably be fussier about what they will loan on. Structure that will hold its value maybe something you need to think about before you decide. 8. And check with your utilitiy offices in your area. I've heard of places that you couldn't get cable or phone service unless you met their requirements.
3. do your homework and research the subject. It really depends on what you're trying to do. sometimes it's cheaper, sometimes it works out the same and sometimes it's more. it will also depend on zoning ordinances in where you want to put it--some places won't allow prebuilt homes. my aunt recently bought some land and bought a modular home to put on the property. She had to get all kinds of special permits above and beyond what someone just building had to get and by the time she was finished she spent about the same money her daughter spent on a custom built home of the same size right next door. BTW: The custom built house was started after the modular home arrived and due to delays and inspections and county issues with the modular home the custom built home was finished and moved into before the modular one was habitable. (there was nothing wrong with the home, the county just didn't want a modular home there but they had no restrictions forbidding it so they had to finally inspect and approve it.) since you have the skills, why don't you design the house you want, have someone look over your plans to make sure they are up to your locality's codes and build.