A few weeks ago in our “Modular Process” series, we talked about the first part of the finding a builder process: how to assemble a list of builders for consideration. In this second part, we’ll talk about what to do with that list once you’ve got it.

As we noted previously (and can’t stress enough), finding the right builder is critical. While Excel Homes builds the modules that will eventually become your home, your local builder is the one who will put the modules together to complete your home. It might only be 10 percent of the home building process, but it’s a very important 10 percent.

In the end, you have to trust your builder, the same way you’d trust a babysitter or a family doctor. Only instead of taking care of your two-year-old or treating an outbreak of measles, your builder will be putting together your dream home. Armed with your list of local builders, here’s what you need to do to determine the best builder to make that dream come true:

1. Call each builder and ask for a list of references.

Once you’ve got three or four references (people for whom the builder has built homes in the past few years), call them and ask some of these questions:

• Was the builder professional?
• Did the project run smoothly and on schedule?
• Did the builder stay on budget?
• Was the builder helpful and responsive if problems arose?
• Have there been any problems with the home since it was built? If so, how has the builder responded to those problems?
• Would you recommend the builder?

2. Check the builder’s industry affiliations and credentials.

Ask builders if they are members of any industry organizations and contact those organizations to inquire about the builder’s standing within the organization and the industry. It’s okay if a builder isn’t a member of one or more industry organizations, but membership helps. Also perform a background check on each builder with the Better Business Bureau.

3. Interview the builder.

Meet with your builder face-to-face and ask the following questions:

• How long have you been in business?
• How many homes do you build each year?
• How much time will you spend supervising the building process, and who will do the supervising?
• How much work is performed by your crew and how much is sub-contracted?
• Have you ever filed for bankruptcy?
• Can you provide a bank reference and a copy of your insurance certificate?
• Have any lawsuits been filed against you by former customers?
• What warranties do you offer and who performs the work under the warranty?

As you can see, finding the “right builder” may not be an easy process (executed properly, it can take several months) but a little extra effort and homework up front could make all the difference in the end. As always, if you have any questions about the process, feel free to use our Ask the Experts feature on the right for more insights.

Not long ago, one of AvisAmerica’s modular homes was built in the small coastal town of Owl’s Head, Maine. The home, a 2,200-square-foot, six-room, two-story, cape/chalet combo, was built by Bay Point Homes of Rockland, Maine.

Maine and the rest of New England is a very active modular market, and one in which we expect to see growth. That’s one reason Excel Homes announced its intention to purchase modular home manufacturer Oxford Homes in Oxford, Maine earlier this year. The deal includes a 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility capable of producing single-family, multi-family, and commercial building modules.

Here, we see half of the Owl’s Head home on its foundation and the roof raised. The roof is attached at the Excel plant by hinges, which allow it to lay flat during the transportation process before being raised and locked into place on-site. (A photo of the hinges can be seen here.)

In this photo, both halves of the home are in place as members of the builder’s crew put some finishing touches on the roof. This particular home will be even more energy efficient than most modular homes through its use of oil, propane and passive solar energy for heat.

The couple who will move into the home played a key role in customizing its environmentally-friendly features, including choosing superinsulated windows. They also make a few aesthetic changes to the original cape design, customizing their new home with a cathedral ceiling and a 36-foot farmer’s porch.

Last month, we talked about the second step in the modular home buying process, loan pre-qualification, which will let you know how much money you’re qualified to borrow and how much you can spend on your new home. Once you’ve got that magic number, it’s time to find a builder to discuss modular home options in your price range. 

SIDENOTE: We should clarify the relationship between Excel Homes and the types of modular home builders you’ll be meeting with. Excel manufactures the modules (essentially 90 percent of the home) in one of our factories and then ships the module to your home site, where the other 10 percent of the assembly process is completed by one of our builder partners (we work with over 600 builders throughout the northeast United States).  

Finding the right modular home builder is important, and it pays to shop around and ask questions. After all, you’re choosing the company who will build the home you’ll be living in for many, many years. Start with a list of several builders in your area. You can assemble this list in one of several ways:

• Consult the phonebook.
• Ask friends for suggestions.
• Contact Excel Homes. Feel free to email us at the “Ask the Experts” link in the right hand sidebar and we’ll be happy to send you a list of recommended builders in your area. 

With your list of builders in hand, it’s time to start checking references and asking questions. We’ll cover that step in the next installment of “The Modular Process” in about three weeks. If you can’t wait that long, feel free to e-mail us and we’ll fill you in on the details.

After Hurricane Andrew struck Florida in 1992, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) studied the performance and strength of various buildings and found that modular homes stood up to hurricane-force winds much better than standard site-built homes.

The secret to modular homes’ strength lies in the manufacturing process. To help the modules withstand the demands of the transportation process, modular homes are built with an average of 20 percent more materials than regular homes (and often at less cost!). These materials include bigger, stronger wall studs and floor joists, which means a sturdier frame overall.

The stricter inspection process behind each home also contributes to modular’s superior staying power. Not only is each module is inspected prior to leaving the factory, but the home is inspected again by independent local inspectors after it arrives and is placed on the foundation at its final destination.

It’s no secret (at least it shouldn’t be) that modular homes are more environmentally-friendly than most other homes. There are lots of reasons for that, many of which were mentioned previously on Modular Musings.

Green construction is something Excel Homes is passionate about and it’s something we strive to improve on in every detail of every home we make. That includes customizable features like the Merillat cabinets, which are a standard feature in Excel homes. (That’s some of Merillat’s finest on the right.) Like most Earth-friendly products, the material is the biggest part of what makes it green. For Merillat cabinets, that material is recycled hardwood.

Merillat cabinets have the dual distinction of not only being greener, but also higher in quality than most other cabinet options. The hardwood used by Merillat undergoes a strict inspection process, which ensures that only the best wood is used to make the cabinets.

The quality of the cabinets and the hardwood that goes into them is actually quite fitting when you consider the fact that modular homes as a whole are stronger and subject to a more intense inspection process than stick-built homes. A lot of people think that quality only applies to the house itself, but the components inside, like cabinets and fixtures, are important too.

The wide selection of options is another reason Excel chose Merillat as a cabinet supplier and why the cabinets are a standard feature in all Excel homes. Merillat’s three product lines – Essentials, Classic and Masterpiece – offer an almost limitless array of choices for homeowners hoping to customize their kitchen. The Masterpiece line-up alone is available in 26 different door styles, 41 finishes and six different wood species, including birch, cherry, hickory, maple, oak and laminate.

In the first ever poll here on Modular Musings, we got right to the point about which benefits of modular construction readers find most appealing. After all, there are many perks, from energy efficiency to greater customization options to environmental friendliness. But in the end, it was virtual tie for the top benefit, with “quicker build times” and “stronger structure and inspection standards” coming out on top in the poll with 41 percent each.

Thanks to everyone for sounding off. September’s poll is a little different, and it’s our attempt to get to know a little more about our reader audience. Feel free to weigh in on the right.