When visiting a modular home, it's crucial to ask the right questions to evaluate both the quality of the product and whether it's the right choice for your path to homeownership.
While modular homes offer many benefits, it’s important to thoroughly understand the technical, practical, and financial aspects before committing to such a project.
Here are 14 key questions to ask during your visit to make a well-informed decision.
What is a modular home?
A modular home, also referred to as a prefabricated or factory-built home, is a type of residence where the various sections are manufactured in a factory, then transported and assembled at the chosen location.
Unlike traditional homes, which are built entirely on-site, modular homes offer the advantage of faster and more controlled assembly. Most of the manufacturing process takes place in a factory, within a controlled environment, and is shielded from weather conditions.
Now that you have a better understanding of what a modular home is, let's explore the key questions to ask during your visit.
Questions about Costs
1. What is the price of a new prefabricated home?
The price of a prefabricated home in Quebec can vary widely based on several factors, including:
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Size and design complexity: Larger or more intricate models tend to be more expensive.
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Quality of construction materials: Using high-quality or eco-friendly materials can increase the cost.
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Location of the land: The cost of transporting the modules and site accessibility can influence the final price.
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Building permits: Local regulations and required permits may also impact the overall cost.
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Level of customization: The choice of finishes, materials, and specific features directly affects the price.
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Additional options and equipment: Adding features such as appliances, solar systems, or home automation can raise the price.
Here’s a general price estimate based on the type of home and level of customization:
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Entry-level: A simple model with minimal customization ranges from $150,000 to $250,000.
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Mid-range: Homes with additional options, high-performance materials, and more varied designs typically cost between $250,000 and $400,000.
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High-end: Custom homes with premium materials, advanced energy-efficient systems, and full customization can cost $500,000 or more.
2. What is included and excluded from the price of a factory-built home in Quebec?
When purchasing a prefabricated home, it’s crucial to understand that the base price typically does not cover all costs related to construction and installation. Although inclusions and exclusions can vary by manufacturers, here’s a general breakdown:
What is included in the price:
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The structure: This includes the floor, walls, roof, beams, insulation, stairs, and exterior cladding.
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Installation: The assembly of the home's structure, as well as the installation of doors, windows, and finishes, including interior doors, handles, hardware, and mouldings.
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Interior layout: Cabinets, plumbing systems, electrical systems, and ventilation systems are generally included.
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Delivery: The transportation of the modules to the site (though additional fees may apply depending on the distance between the factory and the site).
What is not included in the price:
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The land: The cost of the land on which the home will be installed is not covered.
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Excavation and backfilling work: Preparing the land, including earthworks or levelling, is the homeowner's responsibility.
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Foundations: The installation of foundations is not part of the base price.
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Connection to utilities or services: Connecting to utilities such as water, electricity, gas, etc., is not covered by the builder.
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Interior finishes: Tasks such as plastering, joint taping, and painting the walls are generally excluded.
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Interior decoration and lighting: Furniture, décor, and interior lighting are not included.
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Gutter installation: Installing gutters involves additional costs.
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Landscaping: Any exterior work like gardening or installing fences is extra.
3. What financing options are available for purchasing a modular home?
In Quebec, there are several financing options available for purchasing a modular home. Here are the main options:
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Traditional mortgage loans: The most common method of financing for purchasing a prefabricated home is through a traditional mortgage loan.
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Prefabricated home loans: Some lenders offer loans specifically tailored for purchasing factory-built homes. These loans may come with more flexible terms compared to a standard mortgage.
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Loans through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC): CMHC provides financing programs for new homebuyers, including modular home projects. These programs often offer lower interest rates and more accessible borrowing conditions.
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Financing through the construction company: Some manufacturers provide financing options directly through their company. This may include preferential loans or instalment payment plans during the construction process of the home.
Questions about the features of different models
4. What are the available finishing options?
The finishing options for a modular home affect both its appearance and the overall construction cost. It’s important to compare the various customization choices available for elements such as flooring, countertops, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, windows, and exterior cladding.
By exploring these options, you can personalize every detail to suit your preferences while ensuring the comfort and functionality of your home.
5. Is it possible to customize the interior layout of the home?
Many modular home models offer some flexibility when it comes to the interior layout. For example, you can modify the arrangement of bedrooms, expand the kitchen, or add extra windows in the living room.
However, substantial changes may require structural modifications, which could affect both the cost and the production timeline. It's important to clearly define your priorities and discuss the potential implications of these changes with the manufacturer.
6. Can we see a plan or a model of the home once customized?
Manufacturers often provide the opportunity to view a detailed plan or a 3D rendering of the home after you've selected your customization options. This allows you to confirm that the layout and materials you've chosen align with your expectations before your home goes into production.
This step is usually part of the consultation process, though additional fees may apply if specific adjustments or further customization are requested.
Questions about site preparation
7. Do specific works need to be done on the site before construction?
Yes, proper site preparation is essential before the prefabricated home arrives. This includes tasks such as excavation, levelling the ground, and setting up the foundations. Additionally, infrastructure for utility connections (such as water, electricity, and gas) must be planned, and it’s important to ensure there is adequate access for trucks delivering the modules.
The goal is to have the site fully prepared for the home’s assembly upon arrival, ensuring a smooth, quick, and complication-free installation.
8. Can the house be built on any type of terrain?
While a flat site is ideal for installing a modular home, building on a sloped site is also possible, though it may require additional earthworks to level or stabilize the base, which can increase preparation costs.
If the soil is sandy or unstable, special foundations may be needed to ensure the stability of the modules. Before proceeding, it's important to assess the feasibility of the project, estimate the costs, and determine the necessary work to properly prepare the site.
9. What are the geographical constraints related to delivery?
While transportation of the structure is generally included in the base price of the home, additional fees may apply if the site is far from the factory or located in a very isolated area.
It's also crucial that the site is easily accessible for trucks and lifting equipment. If access is restricted due to narrow roads, difficult terrain, or other obstacles, extra costs may be incurred to improve the access route or to use specialized equipment to deliver the modules to the site.
Questions about manufacturing and assembly of the home
10. How long does it take to manufacture and assemble the home?
The manufacturing process for a modular home in the factory typically takes between 3 and 6 months, depending on the complexity of the model, the customization selected, and the factory's workload.
Once the modules arrive at the site, assembly usually takes just a few days. However, this timeline can vary due to factors such as weather conditions and site accessibility.
11. Is the home equipped to be connected to utilities?
Yes, a modular home is designed with the necessary installations to be connected to public or private utilities. However, after the home is assembled, it is often necessary to hire a specialized subcontractor to complete the connections to the utility networks.
It’s important to budget for additional costs related to these connections, as they can vary depending on factors such as the distance between the home and the utility networks, the work required to create access, and the administrative steps involved in obtaining local permits and authorizations.
12. What types of permits are required for the assembly of a factory-built home?
Permit requirements can vary depending on the municipality. It is recommended to contact your municipality for detailed information regarding building codes, zoning regulations, required permits and necessary inspections.
In most cases, you will need a building permit, which is required for the construction of any new structure, including the installation of a modular home.
Questions about after-sale services
13. What is the duration of the after-sale warranty?
Most manufacturers provide after-sales support with a warranty that covers manufacturing defects and technical issues. However, the duration of the warranty can vary significantly between manufacturers.
It’s essential to review the warranty terms during the purchase process, particularly regarding what is covered and what is excluded. Additionally, be sure to inquire about the procedure to follow in case of any issues, so you can act promptly if necessary.
14. Are there options for long-term modernization or improvement?
Yes, modular homes are designed to be flexible, providing various possibilities for long-term improvements or additions. For example, you could add an extension, upgrade the energy efficiency of your systems, or completely renovate the interior layout.
However, before proceeding with such modifications, it’s important to consult with a professional to assess both the technical and financial feasibility of the project.
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