Are prefab homes as well built as stick built homes? Is it worth the savings?

Answer 1

Are you in DIY or buying one?
Both are well built if the foundation is secure.
If you're talking about prefab, DIY, I would advice against it, because it incurs detailed fitting design and leakage and seepage must be addressed, though it is the faster way of construction.
If buying a well built prefab then its worth

Answer 2

If the quality control techniques were in place on the prefab home when it was being built, as they should have been, and you are indeed getting the type, style of home you truly want, I believe a prefab can be a better home than a stick built place.

Answer 3

I have built both kinds and see not much difference in either. You are more flexible for changes with a stick built home.
If you had two bids on the exact same house...one prefab and one stick built, and the prefab was cheaper, then it is worth it to go with the prefab.

Answer 4

Many prefabs are built better then stick built because of climate control fabrication facilities, and quality control processes associated with factory builds.

There are several factory builders in our region, all use 2x6 walls, 1/2" sheetrock custom siding to buyer specs, you name it they will build it. What I've seen is factory builds are about 20% lower then stick.
Factory builds don't have to deal with material losses due to weather and theft. Most manufacturers build to national building code standards..

There are some that you want to avoid, go into a model and ask them to show you the construction process.. If you see "joints" in the walls that appear like they are panelling avoid this home, look for a place that specializes in TO CODE building specs.

Put your new home on a full basement..

Answer 5

They should have to meet the same standards as stick built homes, if you find one you are interested in tour their factory, most of them when put together look like stick built home, there are also companies that build prefabs in cubicles that are really sharp. Always tour the factory before you purchase and check out closely how the are put together.

Answer 6

They will both last longer then you and your boyfriend, but the stick built home will out last the prefab, so If you planning on leaving it to your kids/grand kids go with the stick built.

Answer 7

There is no definite answer to that. Just because something is stick built on sight doesn't mean it was built well, and just because something was built in a 'controlled environment' doesn't mean it was built well. I have a van that was built in a controlled environment and it's a piece of crap.

It depends on either your builder or the manufacturer. Building codes are minimal building standards. That means they are the lowest passing grade a home can have. They do not define a good, quality job. I've been in the building trades all my life, and I've know plenty of Building Inspectors that have had to pass what they considered lousy jobs, in both manufactured and stick build, because they did at least pass code.

There is no magic to construction. You will get what you pay for. The only way to really compare is to know to what standard both your builder or manufacturer are building to. And always ask to talk to previous customers.

Also, ask the advice of companies in the home repair and remodel business. They will know who has been building a good home and who hasn't.

Answer 8

Do you mean a manufactured home or a modular home. Modular is 2X6 framing, just as a stick built, but it's built in a controlled environment and many times is better than a stick built. A manufactured home is 2X4 construction and is basically a better built trailer, usually has panelized walls and has a steel beam on the undercarriage made for wheels.

Answer 9

In general, no. But there a good prefabs and good sticks. Depends on the individual home. and the builder/company.

Answer 10

We live in a prefab home.The home is here in Reno NV. It is so well built that the bank gave us a real home type loan. Yes they are very well built.