Modular construction is a building process where sections, or “modules,” of the building are pre-fabricated in a factory, transported by truck and trailer to the site, and set onto the foundation with a large crane. People often associate pre-fabricated homes with single-wides and trailers, but this technique can be used to construct everything from net-zero tiny houses to grotesque McMansions. After setting the modules, subcontractors would complete all the finishes such as siding, exterior decks and stairs, roofing transitions, and plumbing, HVAC and electrical connections.

While it’s not the optimal method for every project, modular construction has some important advantages over conventional stick framing, or building the house from the ground up on the site. The most significant advantage of the modular approach is reducing risk and uncertainty due to problematic weather and volatile material costs. Assembled inside a climate controlled facility, the modules can be efficiently built with the least amount of waste without ever being exposed to cold, rain, snow, humidity or accidental damage.

As a result of reduced risk, lending institutions may look more favorably on a modular project, requiring a lower down payment, lower interest rates, and potentially less oversight than traditional new construction.

Most moduar and pre-fabricated homes are sold through dealers who have territory contracts with various factories around the US and Canada. The dealers typcially offer stock models of homes you can pick out from a catalog, and custom design services. We don’t want to discourage you from working directly with modular designer as that can provide a favorable outcome, but from our experience, they don’t offer the rich, immersive design process that is at the core of our services.

Reflective Designworks will help you start from the very beginning, develop a design concept, and then work through the pros and cons of various construction methods. If the modular option is the way to go, we can provide your dealer with a “modular-friendly” design for them to translate into the documents needed for the factory specifications. We would treat this as a new construction project, then pivot when the decision to build with modular units is made. We can recommend excellent dealers in NH, ME and VT.

Check out our full process here and learn more about our values here.