Modular or Manufactured Homes in Minnesota- What’s the difference?

Modular or Manufactured home- what is the difference?

By: Dustin Falling- Home Designer

 What is the difference between a modular and manufactured home? is the question I get more than any other.  I will like to hit the main points that will help you make an educated decision when buying a home.  There are several differences, so I am going to pick out a couple of the big ones that I feel is the most important when differentiating between the two.

A modular home is built under the IRC (International Residential Code), which is the same code that site built homes are built under.  Manufactured homes are built under the HUD Federal Building Code.  The HUD code allows for a home to be built without requiring a frost free foundation (i.e. crawlspace or basement).

Modular homes need to be placed on a heated crawlspace or basement and the manufactured homes can be on concrete piers, heated/unheated crawlspace or heated/unheated basement.  Also the manufactured home is required by HUD to have the furnace and water heater installed on the main level, where the modular home can have all the mechanical items in the basement or crawlspace.

Modular homes have a lot more in the way of customizing. The styles include  rambler, cape cod, two story, and loft.  The manufactured homes are rambler style only. 

As mentioned already there are more differences, but the items above will simplify things and make sure you are looking at the right style of home.