From Wish List to Move-In: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Modular Home
- spiper83
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
So, you’re thinking about buying a modular home — that’s exciting! Maybe you’ve heard they’re faster to build, more affordable, and highly customizable. All true. Modular homes are a great way to create a high-quality, personalized home without the long timeline or sticker shock of traditional construction.
But just like any big investment, a little homework goes a long way.
At Corey’s Construction, we build modular homes across Maryland, West Virginia, Northern Virginia, and Eastern Pennsylvania, and we meet buyers at every stage of their journey. One of the most common questions we get is: “What do I need to know before I buy?”
A great way to begin your research is to ask yourself some basic questions, starting with the five questions below. Use the answers to these questions as your checklist to review with your new home builder.
What Type and Size of Modular Home Do I Want?
There’s a common myth among homebuyers that all modular homes are basically the same. However, “modular” does not mean “one-size-fits-all.” Today’s modular home-building techniques allow for multiple floor plans and design options for each home buyer’s taste and lifestyle. For example, Corey’s Construction offers hundreds of floor plans to choose from.
In fact, there are so many options for customizing a modular home that it can all be a bit overwhelming at first. We suggest approaching this like you would if you were shopping for a car. What are your must-haves, and what’s a deal breaker?
Start by narrowing down the style and size that fits your life. While you have many options of floor plans, most modular home designs are categorized into these basic styles:
Ranch: Ranches are single-story for easy accessibility — great for aging in place or young families.
Cape Cod: Cape Cods are designed with a classic pitched roof with potential bonus space upstairs.
Two-story: Multiple stories can maximize your living area on a smaller footprint, giving you more options beyond extra bedrooms. How about an office, gym, or media room?
After deciding on the style, you may also want to ask yourself:
How many bedrooms and bathrooms do I need?
Do I want a dedicated laundry room, pantry, mudroom, or office?
What square footage feels comfortable?
Are there accessibility needs (single-floor living, wider halls/doors)?
From classic ranchers and charming Cape Cods to spacious two-story homes, your builder can walk you through a variety of modular floor plans to suit you and your family’s lifestyle.
What Home Add-Ons or Changes Can I Make?
As you research your options for your modular home style and floor plan, your builder can help you make the right selections to truly customize your new dream home. At Corey’s Construction, we advise buyers to think through any big add-ons or changes to their floor plan early in the process. This can save you money, as changes and add-on costs usually run higher once construction begins.
For example, here are a couple of typical changes and add-ons you may want to consider, after you “see” your home design come together:
A second story: Many of our buyers are surprised to find out that they can switch to a 2-story, even if they start with a ranch.
Attached garage: Even if your initial choice of floor plan doesn’t include a garage or carport, that doesn’t mean you can’t add one.
In-law suite: An in-law suite or side addition is a great way to “future-proof” your home, whether it means taking care of aging parents or planning extra space for more kids or even future grandchildren.
Porches, decks, and outdoor rooms: Increasing your outdoor space is a great way to take advantage of the beautiful spring, summer, and fall weather in Maryland, West Virginia, Northern Virginia, and Eastern Pennsylvania.
What about a basement or crawl space? Modular homes can be built on full basements or crawl spaces with permanent foundations. Each has pros and cons, running from storage and cost to site conditions.
What Choices Do I Have for Features and Finishes?
Your modular home builder can work with you to adjust room sizes, add a flex space or office, or re-imagine the kitchen work triangle. From exterior elevations and siding to cabinets, countertops, fixtures, flooring, and smart-home options, your selections personalize the home to your life.
Now here’s the fun part of customizing your modular home: dialing in the interior and exterior details, along with other features that make the home yours for you and your family.
Interior: Your builder can walk you through multiple options for flooring, countertops, cabinets, tile, paint palettes, and lighting.
Exterior: Select your siding profiles, colors, roof shingle options, window grids, and trim packages.
Smart and efficient: Your builder can include smart thermostats and offer other energy-saving ideas, such as zoned HVAC, ENERGY STAR® appliances, and solar-ready wiring.
Fun fact: Modular homes are often more energy efficient than traditional homes. Tight seams, dry materials, and repeatable processes help improve energy performance and durability.
At Corey’s Construction, we encourage our buyers to bring a short “must-have” list and a “nice-to-have” list to the design meeting. We can help balance selections with a budget and timeline.
See how we package selections for a smoother, turnkey experience: Corey’s Construction — Turnkey Construction.
Will My Modular Home Meet Building (Code) Standards?
Unlike manufactured or mobile homes, modular homes must meet the same local building codes as traditional, site-built homes, and they are appraised the same way. These building standards ensure your home is anchored in quality and value for the long term.
Key benefits of the modular home factory setting include:
Weather-proof schedule: Materials and craftsmanship aren’t at the mercy of rain, heat, or snow.
Consistent quality: Repetition and specialized stations yield tight tolerances and clean fits.
Parallel workstreams: While your foundation is prepared on-site, your home is being built off-site — compressing the overall timeline.
If you want a sense of how modular homes follow the same residential building codes as site-built homes, the National Association of Home Builders and the Modular Home Building Council have a clear overview of modular construction and code compliance.
Understand Your Budget (Even a Ballpark Helps)
You don’t need every line item figured out when you’re still in the research phase, but a ballpark range helps your home builder steer you to the right plans and options. Our model-based pricing includes:
Home modules and transportation
Delivery, crane set, and weather-tight assembly
Foundation (crawlspace or basement)
On-site finish scopes (roof tie-ins, siding, mechanical connections, trim/paint)
Stormwater management and inspections
Basic excavation, etc.
Outside of the home itself, there are a few items that are not included in the model prices that will need to be factored into the total budget, including:
Land (if you don’t already have it)
Permits
Well/water and septic/sewer allowances (if not already installed)
Power hook up
Appliances
Additional excavation (such as tree clearing, etc.)
With the help of our team, we can provide you with a roughly 90% accurate estimate that not only includes all of the above items, but also potential upgrades that you absolutely want in your home.
Ready to Start Exploring Your Dream Home Options?
Doing a bit of research upfront makes the entire modular experience smoother, faster, and a lot more fun. When you’re ready, Corey’s Construction is here to turn that research into reality. We’ll walk you through floor-plan options, help you customize your design, and guide you through every step — from permits to final walk-through.
Learn how our process works: Building Process.
See how we keep your project turnkey: Turnkey Construction.
Let’s build smarter. Reach out today for a no-pressure consultation, and we’ll map a clear path from first ideas to move-in day.
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