Over the years, there has been a growing interest in prefabricated homes. It offers some attractive advantages compared to traditional on-site construction. It substantially reduces construction time, emphasizes higher quality control and potential cost savings.

The prefabricated homes category encompasses two main construction methods, which are panelized and modular homes. They have several differences in terms of their cost and its benefits.

What are Modular Homes?

A modular home is partially built in a plant, then shipped to a development site where it will be placed on a foundation, and its roof structure and exterior finishes will be completed.

What is a panelized prefabricated home?

Panelized houses utilize wall panels manufactured in a controlled environment. The panelized walls are then shipped to the construction site, where they will be installed on the prepared foundation.

Benefits of Panelized vs. Modular Prefabricated Homes

• Panelized Homes are Easier to Ship/Transport

With panelized homes, the panels are placed on smaller flatbed trucks that you can transport anywhere you want to build the house, even in remote locations. In contrast, modular homes need to be loaded onto oversized trucks and then driven to your site. Modular homes cannot be easily moved to remote areas.

• Prefabricated Panels Create Less Waste

Both modular and panelized homes produce less waste that goes into landfills because most of the construction takes place in a factory. Lumber is cut by machine, making the measurements more precise, and less lumber is wasted for construction.

• You Can Build Panelized Homes Faster

It is a known fact that time is valuable for many homeowners, making panelized home kits a time-efficient option to consider. Panelized construction saves a lot of time compared to modular building panels. A panelized building system can be put up in just a few days, and construction can be finished in as few as 6 to 10 weeks.

On the other hand, modular homes typically take 3 to 4 months to complete. Modular homes also require more extensive equipment to lift and place the modules on the home construction site.

• Panelized Homes are Stronger

A panelized home is unbeatable in terms of the strength of construction. They are constructed in a factory, wherein their precision is designed to be airtight and robust. Panel homes kits ensure that the home can last long and stand up to severe weather threats like hurricane winds and heavy snow.

Modular homes are similarly constructed like traditional stick-built homes, but they are entirely completed in a factory. While modular home roof construction comes with solid panels, most are not. It makes panelized home construction a better option for strength.

• Quality Control of Modular Homes

Modular building panels are almost entirely manufactured and built-in manufacturing facilities at a centralized location with a controlled environment. It undergoes better quality control practices and higher-than-average quality outcomes for many homeowners. Other elements like the drywall, mechanical and electrical systems are completed on-site for panelized homes, which potentially has consequent quality control issues at times.

• Modular Homes Require Significantly Lower On-site Work

The amount of on-site work required for modular homes is significantly lower, given that most of the modules that arrive at the construction site are almost finished. When modules come on the construction site, they are installed with a crane and assembled usually in just a few days.