| Off-Site vs Site-Built |
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| We at T&C Homes are asked by at least 50% of our customers why they should consider one of our new homes. The reasons are many, mostly favoring the off-site constructed Guerdon or KIT HomeBuilder Modular (I-code) home, but not all. Let me be perfectly clear that this is comparing only our Guerdon or KIT HomeBuilders Modular (I code) or KIT HomeBuilders (HUD code) homes - not any other factory-built home - against site-built. |
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| Off-Site | Site-Built |
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| Cost | Typically runs 25% to 45% less than site-built. Depends on if the home is built to HUD or IBC standards, optional features, etc. |
More expensive, but some items will be the same, such as foundation (full or crawl space), septic systems, permits, hook-ups, etc. | ||
| Cost overruns | Typically, there are no overruns because home construction is completed quickly. The intital contract price is the final price. About the only time that is not true is if transportation or on-site preparation costs change dramatically due to unforeseen market conditions.
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Traditional final cost of completed project is 10% to 30% over the original contract price. This is typically due to cost increases during time of construction, mis-quotes by contractors/subcontractors, and also, in some instances, to "get the job" first and then bill the customer for real costs. Average cost increase over initial contract is 16%. |
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| Time Frame to build, install and move into | HUD homes - 6 - 8 weeks I-Code homes - 9 - 11 weeks I-Code homes take longer due to communication and inspection cycles with local, regional, and state building administrations. |
6 - 9 months if all goes well, weather patterns are merciful and contractor devotes 100% of his time to the project. | ||
| Sophistication of the project from new owner's standpoint | Relatively easy. All decisions are made with quality help from both Guerdon/Kit and T&C Homes. Between the two builders, they build 1000s of homes every year. They have it down to a system that makes it easy for you to build your dream home. |
Hard. The old saying about "getting through the construction without getting a divorce" has been repeated for a reason. The decisions needed are multiplied by 10 and the knowledge and help that you can count on is considerably less. | ||
| Quality | It stands to reason that a home built with kiln-dried lumber, top of the line/name brand materials, in a controlled environment under a strict quality controlled system will be a better quality home. Guerdon and KIT homes are built with the same (if not better) materials as site-built contractors use, but done in a controlled atmosphere/environment, so it stands to reason the quality is better. |
Built subject to the environment, by people who only do that particular job a couple times a year. Often site builders use unskilled labor or partially trained labor to keep their costs down. This means poorer quality construction. | ||
Design - |
Fantastic - 8 designers at Guerdon and KIT homes are constantly working on how the space in your home can be best used. Both Guerdon and KIT Homes designs leading edge homes that work. |
Good to bad - 90+% of site-built homes use space badly, thus increasing the cost of the useable space as well as making the home inefficient. | ||
| Design - Exterior | Due to the limitations of transportation options, the exteriors of off-site built homes have been limited. This is changing with the help of new roof and eave options (5.12 to 10:12 roof pitches, 12" to 18" eaves), increased siding options (lap fiber-cement, brick, vinyl, part stone, etc.) and onsite additions such as garages, full porches, multiple dormers, etc. |
Unlimited - whatever money can buy can be done. | ||