Downtown Los Angeles is the main business district of Los Angeles, California. It is also a very diverse, growing residential neighborhood comprised of over 50,000 people. There are many home buyers within the Los Angeles area, and many residents are in the market to build their ideal home from a custom prefab manufacturer instead of purchasing an existing home. When it comes time to plan out your dream home in the Los Angeles area, you will probably run into more than a few questions. Aside from how many bedrooms and bathrooms you’d like and which counters to choose, you might find yourself asking things like “What exactly is a Manufactured Home? A Modular Home? A Panelized Home? What is the difference between these types of custom prefabricated homes? Is a Manufactured, Modular, or Panelized Home right for me?” While there are several minor differences between each type, the key difference between a manufactured home, a modular home, and a panelized home in L.A. is the building code. The type of home that is right for you depends on your needs, location, and financing options.
Manufactured Home
A Manufactured Home is constructed under a type of code called the Housing and Urban Development code (HUD code). This type of building code is federally regulated and, unlike conventional building codes, requires the home to be constructed on a permanent location. This home has a metal frame, is usually built in a manufacturing plant, and transported in pieces to the permanent framework location. In Los Angeles, this type of home usually requires a VIN number and is considered personal property. Because of the VIN number and property requirements, this type of home can often pose a challenge when it comes to financing and may depreciate in value. Of course, there are options for financing available; contact the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department for more details on financing for this type of housing.
Modular Home
A Modular Home is built according to the regulations of the International Building Code. This type of home is constructed to the same code as an on-site home, and as such is considered real property that appreciates and appraises the same as an on-site built home. Modular construction uses the same materials and adheres to the same building codes as traditional construction. The difference is that with modular construction, these materials are assembled or “pre-built” inside a manufacturing facility to control quality and cost. Imagine the cost and quality of your next car if it were assembled in your driveway by a group of workers often in rainy or snowy conditions. You’ll understand why modular is the natural next step for new home construction. California has its own division that regulates construction of this type of home, and has guidelines in place that coordinate with the local Los Angeles building department.
Panelized Home
Panelized homes are, simply put, a sort of ‘kit’ home. The walls of this type of home are pre-assembled pieces, usually just the exterior walls, that are brought on-site. Once the panelized walls are on site, the rest of the construction, contracting, and work must be completed on site. USModular does not build this type of home in L.A. as we do not feel it saves the customer any time, money, or hassle. So there you have it, the key components of Manufactured, Modular, and Panelized homes for the Los Angeles, California area! For questions regarding financing, warranties, and how to get started, visit our website https://www.USModularinc.com!
