Many people dream of building their own custom home but for a variety of reasons don’t because of inexperience or fear of failure. The complexities of the construction process can seem overwhelming. Some people assume you have to make a lot of money to build your own home, others just don't know where to begin or lack the knowledge.
Building a home can be both fun and affordable this is especially true for home buyers that want to act as the owner builder of their project. There are many prefab manufacturers in the United States. It is the largest segment of the home industry compared to modular or manufactured home industry. There are literally hundreds of companies to choose from and many offer high quality floor plans or stock plans. These prefabricated homes (often referred to as prefab homes, modular homes, or manufactured homes) combine the best of high-end architecture with eco-friendly living.
If you decide to go with a modern prefabricated home, the tasks involved in building a home become even simpler than a traditional stick-built home. This doesn't mean that there isn't work involved, but it is a very logical, step-by-step process.
1. Spend time reviewing your budget. Think about what you can afford. Talk to your banker or mortgage lender and find out what you qualify for. It might be a good idea to get pre-qualified so that when you find the right property, you can get things rolling without delay. The financing process is the most critical and cannot be overlooked. It’s like painting a home. 80% of the work is in the preparation and getting the home ready for a new coat of paint. Most of all the work involves prepping the home, calking cracks, scraping old paint off and priming bare wood. The actually painting of the home does not take much time at all. This is true with financing. It may seem like it is taking forever to get pre-qualified and get all the bids in. But in the end if you take your time, the rest of the building project will go much smoother, on-time and on-budget.
2. Secure your land. Obviously you must own the land before you can build your home, but what many people don't realize is that the lay of the land will help to define your housing choices. The layout of your property will ultimately help you choose the floorplan and the position your home will face. Be sure you pay attention to local building regulations, soil conditions/drainage, and CC&Rs.
3. Find a prefab company. This is really when the fun begins. There are many choices out there, so do your homework. You will quickly realize that there are modern prefab designers and architects out there for just about every need and pocketbook.
4. Organize the team. Once you've chosen your prefab home design company, you'll need help! Some prefab companies will handle this for you (for a fee), but many require that you line up your own professionals. At a minimum you'll need a general contractor to prepare the site and assemble the home once it has been delivered.
5. Get permits. You will need building permits and perhaps design reviews, depending on your neighborhood. Your contractor may handle some of this for you, although you will be responsible for the permit fees, etc.
Building a prefab home requires careful coordination and patience however the result is often well worth the wait. Proper due diligence and planning should result in a fabulous prefab home which you can enjoy for many years.
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