Guide to Prefab Homes
Prefab homes are a great alternative to "stick built" homes for a number of reasons. Once they are assembled, it's impossible to tell they were ever prefabricated and assembled on-site. Any option available for stick built homes is available for prefab homes, but options vary from manufacturer to manufacturer as they keep up with trends.
What is a Prefab Home?
A prefab home is manufactured at a factory by skilled laborers and built in sections or boxes, depending upon the style. Some prefab homes are the double wide style and come in two halves. More complex styles are built as boxes and assembled onsite.
The Manufacturing Process
The process starts with construction on a frame beginning with the floors. Then the sidewalls and roof are added, but the roof is completed onsite depending upon the pitch. The drywall is installed and painted. Floor coverings and padding, moldings, cabinetry, features and appliances are installed as required by the customer's order. Many details are completed onsite.
The home is inspected before leaving the factory and again by craftsmen assigned with the final touches upon completion. Most prefab manufacturers adhere to either the BOCA or HUD building code.
BOCA and HUD Codes
There are great variances between these, and they are important to you as a prefab homebuyer. A prefab home built within HUD codes has:
- Permanently attached to a metal frame
- No attic access
- Standard 3/12 roof pitch, with 4/12 and 5/12 as an option
- 100 amp electrical service with 200 amp available
- Appliances, water heater and window Treatments
- R-11 to R-19 insulation in floors with possible upgrades available
- A home built within BOCA code has:
- A wood frame
- Attic access with a light
- Standard 5/12 roof pitch, 7,9 and 12/12 are optional
- 200 amp service
- Variable appliances and window treatments
- Insulation in floors optional