In the pursuit of efficient and personalized housing solutions, modular homes are becoming the new choice for modern families.
This type of building a modular home is prefabricated in factories and assembled on-site, taking into account both construction efficiency and design flexibility and providing the occupants with more space for independent planning.
This article will focus on how to build a modular home, from the choice of materials and construction process to post-maintenance and other key aspects to explain.
1. Choosing a Site for Building
The first step in building a modular home is choosing the right site, which not only affects construction efficiency but also determines the comfort and functionality of the future home.
Generally speaking, the ideal site should have flat and open terrain for easy transportation and lifting of modular components. You also need to check in advance the restrictions imposed by local building codes on modular homes, such as the nature of the site, height requirements, or community planning provisions.
In addition, you need to assess the accessibility of the surrounding infrastructure, such as utility networks, road access, and the direction of natural light, which have a direct impact on the subsequent construction costs and living experience.
2. Find a Reliable Builder
After selecting a site, you may consider looking for reliable modular home builders to work with. This type of builder not only needs to have rich experience and expertise but should also have a good reputation and successful cases of past projects.
You can refer to the reviews and feedback from other clients when making your choice to understand their service quality and construction efficiency.
At the same time, you should ask the builder to provide a detailed contract that specifies the content of each job, time point, and cost budget. This can avoid unnecessary disputes and problems at a later stage.
3. Planning and Design
The third step is to carry out detailed planning and design. You will need to discuss with the builder the structure of the home, the choice of materials, and the layout of the space.
Depending on your needs and budget, the builder will be able to provide you with suitable design options, including different home styles and layouts. You will also need to consider whether you will need prefabricated furniture, etc.
If you're looking for a break from the traditional rectangular structure, explore innovative modular solutions such as Shelter Dome's dome home, which is particularly well suited to circular or irregular sites. The curved modules are assembled to minimize wasted space in the corners and increase the wind resistance of the structure.
The open interior space without any pillars can be freely planned as a high-ceilinged living room or a circular bedroom. It is paired with curved floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize natural views.
4. Factory Built and Shipped
When the construction of modular housing enters the factory production stage, the builder will complete the precise prefabrication of each module in a controlled environment according to the design drawings, including the integration and installation of walls, roofs and internal pipelines.
You can ask the builder to provide regular feedback on production progress and visit the factory to spot-check the quality of key modules if necessary.
Once the modules are completed, they are transported to the site using professional transportation equipment. During the process, they need to be fixed and waterproofed to avoid damage caused by long-distance bumps.
The builder will plan the transportation routes and time nodes in advance so that the modules will arrive on time.
5. Assembly and Decoration
Once the modularized components arrive at the site, the assembly workers should strictly follow the construction drawings and technical specifications.
Cranes are usually used to lift the modules one by one onto the pre-poured infrastructure. The modules are then bolted or welded to ensure overall stability, followed by sealing of the joints between the modules, pipe connections and closing of the external sheathing.
At this stage, attention is paid to the accuracy of the module joints, such as the levelness of the wall surface, the slope of the roof drainage, and other details. Otherwise, minor misalignment leads to leakage or uneven structural stress. There are also water and electricity and other hidden works need to be synchronized in the module splicing to complete the system debugging.
After completing the assembly of the main structure, the decorative part can be advanced according to the pre-design. If the module has been pre-installed in the factory walls, floors and other basic finishes, the scene only need to soft furnishings layout and local adjustments.
If you choose customized decoration, you need to coordinate with the construction team for paint painting, lighting installation or custom furniture embedded.
6. Inspection and Maintenance
A thorough inspection is essential after the modular home has been assembled and furnished. The professional acceptance team will focus on verifying the sealing of the module joints, the verticality of the structure and the connectivity of the water and electricity systems.
It is best for homeowners to participate in the acceptance process, confirming whether details such as door and window opening and closing, checking socket points and so on are in line with expectations against the design drawings, and retaining the acceptance report as a basis for subsequent maintenance. If you find local defects, you need to ask the builder to complete the rectification before moving in.
It is noteworthy that while building a modular home is more durable, they still require regular annual inspections and maintenance. This is what will prolong the life of the home.
Build Your Dream Home with Shelter Dome
Building a modular home is a blend of technological innovation and personalization, and choosing a brand with both strength and experience can significantly enhance the reliability of the process.
As a company specializing in innovative modular construction, Shelter Dome's dome homes offer homeowners energy-efficient, space-efficient living solutions through lightweight, high-strength materials and modular prefabrication.
Whether you are dealing with complex terrain, extreme weather, or pursuing a unique aesthetic design, our dome structures can be precision prefabricated and flexibly assembled in our factories, minimizing construction disruptions and resource wastage, and realizing rapid implementation.
If you're planning to build a modular home, contact Shelter Dome to find out how our one-stop shop, proven case studies, and sustainable building philosophy can help you take your ideal home from blueprint to reality.
FAQs About Building a Modular Home
Although building a modular home construction process is relatively efficient, first-time homeowners may still have questions about construction lead times, cost control, and other details. Below are brief answers to common questions to help you plan your construction program more clearly.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Modular Home?
The construction cycle for modular homes is typically 3 to 6 months, much shorter than conventional construction. Factory prefabricated modules take about 1-2 months, and on-site assembly and decoration takes 2-4 weeks, depending on design complexity, approval process and weather conditions.
Production and construction time can be further compressed by choosing standardized modular solutions (e.g. dome structures).
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Modular Home?
The cost to build a modular home fluctuates depending on size, materials, and geography, and can range from $10 to $150 per square foot.
The base cost includes module production, shipping and on-site assembly, and may increase accordingly for customized designs, high-end interiors or special structures such as wind-resistant domes.
