Modular homes are houses that are built using some of the same techniques as "stick-built" houses, with similar interior and exterior finishes.  There are, however, many advantages to a modular home - the lumber used is kept dry in factory storage; the workers can assemble the house elements regardless of the weather outside; cost is generally lower; and the construction must be more rigid, since a modular home must be hauled by truck to the site.  Do not confuse modular homes with manufactured houses (double-wides), which are design with a steel frame and with wheels that remain attached.  Modular homes are built of two or more modules that are installed side-by-side, or stacked to make 2- or 3-story homes.  One big advantage is that modular homes may be designed by you, or may be selected from a wide variety of floor plans, shown on the manufacturer's Web site or in their literature.

We have looked into the design and possible manufacture of a house for the Long Island and upstate New York area.  Several manufacturers serve this area, primarily in rural Pennsylvania, near an adequate lumber supply.  The idea is to create modules of a size that may be hauled over the road to the site --  widths and lengths are limited by state law, and heights are limited by underpasses along the route.  In general, width may be 15 feet maximum, and length may be 55 feet maximum.  The modules may be almost-complete rooms, including floor finishes (hard wood, tile or carpeting), and walls are sheetrocked, spackled and painted in the factory. Most fixtures are installed in the factory, including electricity, telephone, cable, water, drains, heating, General information is available about modular construction: http://www.modularcenter.com/

We have toured the Penn Lyon factory in Selinsgrove, PA, (business has been closed - 2010) and were impressed with the quality of the materials, the solid construction, and the precision of the tooling and workmanship.  Also look at the Web sites of Simplex Homes in Scranton, PA, Excel Homes in Liverpool, PA,  Apex Homes in Middleburg, PA, New Era in Strattanville, PA, and Palm Harbor Homes.  We were pleased that not only are floors and walls nailed or screwed in place, but may also be glued, to provide the solid structure needed to survive the road trip.  In addition, the wall between adjoining modules may be more than 7 inches thick, since the walls of the two modules are fastened together on-site

Other local manufacturers are probably available, and are within driving distance of the house site.  The Modular Building Systems Association has general information  Most manufacturers welcome visitors, and provide a plant tour.  

Each manufacturer is affiliated with local builders who arrange the site preparation - grading, foundation, utilities, permits, etc.  The manufacturer trucks the modules to the site, a crane lifts them into position on the foundation, usually in only one day, and leaves the house weather-tight.  The local builder then takes care of connecting utilities, and applying finishing touches.

A friend, Carole Paquette, is a New York Times columnist.  In March 2001, Carole wrote an article about modular homes on Long Island.

© 2003-2011 Adam Gaus 
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Updated January 01, 2011