Modular Homes vs Kit Homes

Building your dream home can be the most exciting as well as stressful and daunting process especially when it comes to your first-time experience. New technologies, construction knowledge, and innovative processes have led to the development of steel framing systems that can be produced in factories and then delivered on-site for the final erection. Modular homes and kit homes are the two examples of modern methods of construction that allows the buyers to get into their new home faster and in much less cost as compared with traditional homes. However, there is a difference between two “modular homes and kit homes” that we have explained below.

Modular Homes

Modular homes, also known as prefabricated homes are residential factory-built structures transported to the site in the form of individual modules to form the permanently finished building. Modular homes typically built up in four stages: first, the design or building plan approval by the local regulating authorities and the end user; second, the module components are assembled in a climate-controlled environment; third, the components are transported to the final site; fourth, the modules are placed on the foundation with the help of a crane to form a permanently finished building. Generally, the builder takes several weeks to finish the interior and exterior of the home after the installation.

By combining the modular and panel building techniques, the modular manufacturers are able to provide homes up to 90% complete. But, due to transport restrictions, the size of the modules can be limited that can affect the desired room sizes.

The major finish work needs to complete by the buyer itself and usually not included in the pricing of modular homes. Major finish like the installation of electrical systems, utility connections, HVAC systems, and construction of porches can be accomplished by having reliable local professionals.

The below image shows a prefabricated module being placed on the foundation with the help of a crane.

Kit Homes

Kit homes and modular homes are both prefabricated but different. In kit homes, all of the framing components are pre-cut to the desirable sizes at a factory and then shipped to the final site for the assembling. The framing component are purchased in bulk and then pre-cut to desirable lengths for easy on-site assembling or fitting.

Unlike modular homes which are constructed in square-shaped modules, the kit homes frames are neatly pre-cut at the factory that allow the users to modify the homes according to their own desires. Homeowners have the choices to create something new big or small or even alter the existing design just because there are no restrictions on sizes that we usually face in the modular home construction.

Furthermore, with pre-cut components the homeowners have the choice to build homes themselves or hire a builder to reduce the further cost and time. An extensive range of design options, on-site assembling, last-minute alterations, and several labor hours are saved with the pre-cut kit homes.

Below image shows the assembling of framing components.