| "> | | | | and packages usually "are" or "are not" |
| "Let's see ... I'll take Home-in-Box Plan #73997" | | | | -- THEY ARE generally considered high quality, |
| Since the early days of Sears near the turn of the | | | | stick-built construction that receive full appraisal |
| LAST century, we've been able to purchase entire | | | | values against the traditional site built homes. |
| home building kits and have them delivered to our | | | | -- THEY ARE convenient for the home builder in |
| building site for construction. Not only has the idea | | | | more remote areas where there aren't any |
| never gone away, the choices are growing. What's | | | | lumberyards. |
| the attraction? Are they real homes? Should YOU | | | | -- THEY ARE NOT snap together homes to be build |
| consider this approach? | | | | by a novice. They need to be assembled on site by |
| There's a lot of misinformation about packaged | | | | experienced labor. |
| homes that I want to clear up. In my years as an | | | | -- THEY ARE often time savers as much of the labor |
| owner builder consultant, I have found them to offer | | | | and shopping has been done. |
| some clear advantages for people. The biggest being | | | | -- THEY ARE NOT trouble free! In most cases the |
| the convenience of having so much included in the | | | | manufacturer will have to resolve at least some |
| package reducing the need for decisions and | | | | (usually minor) issues with the lumber package. |
| shopping. | | | | -- THEY ARE often packaged with the financing |
| They are referred to in a variety of ways. But, most | | | | necessary to pay for materials and labor to build the |
| of them are honest to goodness homes. We call | | | | home. |
| them packaged homes, kit homes, panelized homes, | | | | -- THEY ARE usually backed by companies who can |
| factory built homes, and so on. Traditional site-built | | | | send out trouble shooters to analyze any problem |
| homes are often referred to as "stick built" homes. | | | | and offer solutions. |
| Unlike manufactured (mobile) homes which are | | | | -- THEY ARE NOT less expensive than buying lumber |
| classified differently, most packaged homes have | | | | from the local lumberyard. Although, when you factor |
| earned full "stick-built" status. | | | | in convenience and potential time savings, the overall |
| Yet, these stick built homes are not put together in | | | | money invested could be lower than with traditional |
| the traditional way. They are built in controlled | | | | building. |
| factory environments and usually with high quality | | | | -- THEY ARE most often built in the factory with |
| wood products. A valuable option offered by some | | | | more precision and consistency than can be found |
| panelized companies includes energy efficient | | | | with many local framing crews. |
| Structural Insulated Panels or SIPs. | | | | Packaged/panelized homes can be a really good |
| Homes can be purchased as a lumber package only | | | | alternative depending upon your goals and needs. You |
| to complete the outer shell of the home, or they can | | | | should check out several companies before you buy. |
| be nearly complete home packages. These full | | | | You'll find differences in pricing, options, customer |
| packages include all the windows, doors, siding, | | | | service, and available plans. |
| roofing, insulation, dry-wall, cabinets, countertops, and | | | | Be sure to check for the following: |
| sometimes plumbing and electrical. | | | | -- Are they licensed in your state or building area? |
| HOME STYLES AND FLOOR PLAN LAY-OUTS | | | | -- Do they have local representation that you can |
| Very often there are a number of styles and | | | | work with? |
| lay-outs to choose from and in some instances you | | | | -- Can they give you references in your local area |
| can submit plans of your own. They will incorporate | | | | that you can talk with? |
| your plans into their system and "panelize it" for you. | | | | -- How far away from your building site are they and |
| This means that they will frame it in small sections, or | | | | how do they fix problems? |
| panels, for delivery to your site. Then with the help | | | | Like any other building project, panelized home |
| of computer prepared schematics, the framing is | | | | packages will have their problems. Depending upon |
| often completed in less than half the normal time | | | | your needs, the help you can get, the financing |
| required to stick frame a house the traditional way. | | | | offered, the location of your building site, the cost of |
| Your choices aren't limited to just floor plans. You'll be | | | | lumber locally, and many other factors, the |
| able to choose things like siding, roofing, cabinets, | | | | advantages can be very attractive. Good luck and |
| countertops, and windows, doors and trim. For | | | | remember, whatever you do, have fun! |
| further clarification, here is a short list of what these | | | | |