What Is a Modular Home? Welcome to the Flexibility of Personalized Turnkey Construction

Buying a new home can be a daunting process, especially if you’re considering investing in new home construction. This is why turnkey modular constructions are becoming increasingly popular with new home buyers. Unlike traditional constructions, modular homes are built in sections inside a quality-controlled factory. This process significantly reduces construction time and minimizes weather-related delays associated with site-built homes. However, unlike mobile homes, modular homes must meet the same local building codes as traditional, site-built homes and are appraised the same way. These building standards ensure your home is anchored in quality and value for the long term. What’s more, modular doesn’t have to mean cookie-cutter. At Corey’s Construction, we build beautiful, fully customized modular homes across Maryland, West Virginia, Northern Virginia, and Eastern Pennsylvania.

In this blog, we’ll break down some of the key features that define a modular home, along with the ROI advantages of the turnkey house construction process.

What Is the Modular Home Definition?

As we noted above, the modular home definition refers to a house constructed off-site in a factory environment. The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) defines a modular home as “the ultimate prefabricated building system,” because they’re built in controlled environments that ensure quality while saving homeowners “time, effort, and money.”At Corey’s Construction, each module of the modular home is built with precision in a controlled factory setting, using advanced machinery and quality materials. Once completed, these finished modules are transported to the homeowner’s lot and placed on a permanent foundation, then finished by craftsman crews. And because modular homes comply with the same local building codes as site-built homes, they meet strict safety, durability, and energy-efficiency standards.

Key Features of Modular Homes

• Constructed in sections or modules in a controlled environment

• Assembled on a permanent foundation

• Comply with your local building codes

• Customizable designs and floor plans

• Faster construction timeline compared to traditional homes

  
  

5 Advantages of Modular Constructions vs. Traditional Construction

If you have questions about modular homes, you’re not alone: “Can I customize one? Are they really that much faster to build? Are they energy efficient?” The answer? Yes! Here are just a few advantages of the turnkey construction process for modular homes, compared to traditional house construction.

1. Speed of Construction

At Corey’s Construction, our modular homes can be built in about half the time of a comparably sized and equipped site-built home (in as little as a couple of months, compared to several months or even years).

Our streamlined production processes and factory-setting protection help to facilitate a quick production cycle. We also save time with simultaneous preparations for electrical and mechanical systems, combined with our professional and efficient management of site trades.

This modular construction process involves modern factory assembly line techniques. Your home travels from station to station, where all of the building trades are represented. Work is never delayed due to weather, sub-contractor no-shows, or missing materials.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

Time is money, and this is especially the case with building a new home. The turnkey modular construction process is designed to save money because it’s more efficient in terms of labor, materials, and quality.

Most traditional site-built constructions are more expensive because their supply chains are always changing, impacting costs. The modular construction process effectively eliminates costly delays due to supply chain issues. There’s also a faster move-in time frame, which means less money spent on rent or on the current mortgage.

3. Quality Control

The factory setting of modular home construction delivers repeatable precision and quality, according to the NAHB. Each module of the home is built by professionals who have been trained to perfect their craft. Module inspections occur at multiple stages of the construction process to ensure there are no mistakes or imperfections (much like a well-controlled assembly line).

Modular homes are inspected by an independent, third-party home inspection agency before leaving the factory. They are again inspected after they are delivered onsite, this time by a local building inspector. This is why modular housing meets and often exceeds the requirements of locally adopted building and fire codes.

4. Energy Efficiency

Corey’s Construction designs modular homes with energy-efficient materials and systems. This can lead to lower utility bills and a smaller environmental footprint. For example, our factory construction helps keep materials dry and detailing consistent — great for air-sealing and insulation continuity. This means fewer air leaks and better performance when it comes to heating and cooling.

This energy savings equals more cost savings, with features such as:

• Energy-efficient windows and doors

• Superior insulation

• Smart thermostats and zoned HVAC

• Solar-ready roofing options

  
  

Pair that with low-e windows, high-efficiency HVAC, and ENERGY STAR® options for lower monthly bills. Over time, that can translate into serious savings on your utility bills.

5. Customization Options & Flexibility

Realtor.com cites multiple advantages of modular homes, including their affordability and “scalability,” which means they are customizable to each home buyer’s tastes, budgets, and geographic location.

Contrary to popular belief, modular homes are highly customizable. Buyers can choose from various layouts, finishes, and design options to create a home that fits their lifestyle. At Corey’s Construction, our team of highly qualified design engineers and computer-aided drafting technicians can generate a CAD floorplan design that brings each home buyer’s vision to life. Regardless of style  — ranch, cape cod, or two-story — we can work with you to turn your dream home into reality. Hundreds of options are available for every room in your house!

How Modular Homes Are Built

Understanding Corey’s Construction's turnkey construction process helps clarify why modular homes are a smart choice for buyers seeking more value for their investment. Here’s a quick, high-level overview of our process:

Step 1: Design and Planning

Homebuyers work with the builder’s design team to select or customize a floor plan. At Corey’s Construction, there are more than 300 floor plans to choose from! Our design team can help you select a floor plan to fit the lifestyle needs of you and your family. We’ll also walk you through our many options for choosing your home’s materials, finishes, and any special features.

Step 2: Factory Construction

It’s important to know that there’s a pre-construction phase that requires your builder to coordinate all the details that will go into creating your custom modular home. This includes coordinating with your local electric company and attending state and local approval meetings.

Once the pre-construction details are handled, your home’s modules are constructed in a factory using precise measurements and quality materials. Plumbing, electrical wiring, insulation, and interior finishes are installed during this phase.

Step 3: Transportation & Assembly on Site

After independent third-party inspectors carefully inspect each home we build, each home is carefully loaded onto a truck and transported to the building site. The home is erected on the foundation with a crane by a qualified set crew, and completed by Corey's Construction staff and our preferred subcontractors. At this stage, final utility connections are made. Once completed, modular homes are indistinguishable from “on-site built” homes.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

This is where the modular home’s exterior siding, roofing, and landscaping are completed. The home undergoes a final inspection to ensure everything meets code and quality standards. This is where your Corey’s Construction team goes through every detail to make sure you have everything you need for your move-in-ready home at the end of construction.

Explore Your Options for a Modular Home

Whether you’re looking at building a new home construction in Maryland, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia, turnkey modular constructions offer more overall value for your new home investment. Plus, the modular home industry is evolving rapidly, driven by advances in technology and design. Innovations such as 3D printing, smart home integration, and sustainable materials make modular homes more affordable, more energy efficient, and a better value.

Ready to explore your options? Corey’s Construction can turn your vision into a high-quality modular home — efficiently, transparently, and with craftsmanship you’ll be proud of. Contact us today to learn the advantages of a new, modular home construction.