How to build a modular house

Lindsay Whitney Lindsay Whitney
Proyecto Lleida , Acero Modular S.L Acero Modular S.L Modern houses
Loading admin actions …

The modular home, which has actually been around for a few hundred years, is pre-constructed in an off-site, indoor facility, and then transported and assembled on the property. They consist usually of six-sided sections or ‘modules’, making them different from manufactured homes, such as mobile homes. So modular structures are permanent, and appraised at the same value as a home that is built on your property.

The benefits of modular houses are numerous: faster construction (weeks instead of months), flexibility, eco-friendly, low waste on materials and less labour intensive. Add to these that, with a modular home, you can be certain from day one about what you’ll be getting, and can customise your design to fit your taste. But, there are some important steps to ensure the construction of your modular house goes smoothly, beginning with choosing the design—and designer—that's right for you.

1. Choosing your design

Contrary to popular myth that confuses modular homes with manufactured homes, modular houses come in various plans, and in fact, you can customise them to be anything that you would normally build in an off-site manner. From a stone English country cottage to an an expansive ultra modern home, to a home floating on water, all you have to do is plan for it. 

The key to planning your dream modular home is choosing the right modular architect company that really fits your aesthetic. Any good modular home designer will want to be commissioned for work that they also enjoy building, so don't be hasty to jump into a deal if you feel a company's general vision doesn't match your own—be willing to wait for the architect who really suits you!

2. Choosing the right materials

When choosing the style of home, it is important, just like with any other home, to consider the materials -particularly if you've chosen to customise. If your house will be in a hotter climate, which material would be best for keeping things cool? 

Furthermore, it is important to make sure the materials are in line with building standards at the site it will be taken to—especially if it will be constructed in a region that may have different regulations than the final intended site!  

3. Making it eco-friendly

The eco-friendly aspect of the modular house is perhaps the best: building a modular home means building a self-sustainable home, cutting down on energy costs in future. 

It is within your power to make your electricity, water, heating and cooling and waste removal systems more energy efficient. Install solar panels, wind turbines, for example, or simply ensure you have well-insulated, triple pane windows—regardless of the environment, your pocketbook will thank you later. 

4. Double checking the plan before delivery

Before you are ready to have your modules transported to you home site, it is essential to get the foundation right. Plan everything beforehand, including where you want the house to face. If you want the front windows and doors to face east to meet the morning sun, then make sure the foundation is laid for this, and be sure that the modules are constructed for this. 

Though this may seem obvious, it’s a common mistake that can really cost in reworking the foundation and returning modules to the off-site facility to be corrected, so it’s worth taking extra care about.

5. Maintenance contacts

After your new dream home has been built on-site, remember to compile a collection of any necessary information on how to maintain your new modular home from the company who has built it for you. A good company should have maintenance people or companies they can refer you to as well, so you can keep these on hand in case of future need. 

Lastly, we recommend you thoroughly enjoy your new home after it is built, and take an in-home holiday after all of your hard work! In the meantime, check out the many modular home designers on homify, or take a tour of this contemporary and flexible example!

Would you move into a modular home? Or would it be too small? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section!

Need help with your home project?
Get in touch!

Highlights from our magazine