Whether you are on the fence or have decided to buy a modular home, its cost is a topic that cannot be avoided. Many articles have said that the cost of modular homes is lower than that of traditional homes, but what factors affect the price of modular homes? As a consumer, you will want to reduce the modular home cost by some means. Please continue reading to learn more about the main factors determining modular homes' prices.
What is the Cost of a Modular Home? 2025
Modular housing is a way of building houses in which components are prefabricated in a factory and assembled on-site. The components of this type of house are built in parts according to specific plans, hence the name "module". After being manufactured using a standardized and universal production method in a factory, they are transported to the site for assembly. The assembly process takes different times depending on the size of the house, generally ranging from a few hours to a few days.
Modular home by Shelter Dome interior space can be modular from 200ft² to 3000ft², and prices range from $3000 to $120,000.
Factors that Affect the Modular Home Cost
The modular home cost is affected by many factors, the most important of which are the location, size, and design of the home. In addition, some procedures and related infrastructure are also within the budget of the modular home cost. Knowing these factors clearly will help you make a better purchase plan.
Modular Home Cost per Square Foot
Taking the pricing system of the Shelter Dome, an excellent modular housing supplier, as an example, a dome with an interior space of 845 ft² is expected to cost about $7.5 per square foot. Of course, this does not include the cost of installation.
If you want to add modules or customize modules, the corresponding cost per square foot will increase.
Permits and Fees
Obtaining a permit is a prerequisite before building a modular home, and after obtaining it, any necessary changes to the land can be made. Usually, a permit is used to build the house, install utility connections, test the soil, and build additions.
In addition to the cost of obtaining a permit, you may also need to pay some fees for the impact on the surrounding environment, such as schools, roads, and parks. Different areas have different requirements for these fees, but the cost can be expected to be between $500 and $5,000.
Land Clearing and Preparation
After obtaining a permit from the municipality, you need to consider your land. Before you start building, you need to measure your land. Leveling the ground, determining the slope of the home, and determining whether there is any debris that needs to be cleared. These are crucial to the safety of excavation.
If land clearing is required, you must also pay for it. Before placing your modular home, you need to level your land and excavate it. The average cost of these four steps is between $3,000 and $18,000.
Installation Cost
The cost of installation consists of two parts: foundation installation cost and house installation cost.
Before installing a modular house, you need to determine the installation method of the foundation. If the installation site is soft sand, mud, or grass, use steel pins to fix it. If the installation site is cement or asphalt, use expansion screws to fix it. If the installation site is marble or tile floor, use a load-bearing plate. The average cost of foundation installation is $7 to $30 per square foot.
When installing a house, the installer not only has to install the components of the overall module of the house, but also complete the installation of each module in the house, and finally do the finishing work. The average installation cost is usually $5 to $35 per square foot.
Utility Connections
Modular houses can only be used normally after all the infrastructure is built, including the installation of gas pipelines, sewers, water pipes, and electrical wires. Maintaining the good operation of the house is inseparable from the support of these facilities, and their costs will vary depending on the complexity of the installation.
Modular Home Additions
The facilities in modular homes are generally basic, so if you want to add some additional features, you will need to pay for them. Many modular homeowners are increasingly inclined to add modular bathrooms to their modular homes. Here are its reference prices:
Bathroom Addition Type | Configuration | Average Cost |
Hard Outfit Design |
| $4500 |
Soft Outfit Design |
| $9700 |
How to Save the Modular Home Cost?
Although modular homes cost less than traditional homes, there are still some tricks that can make modular homes more affordable. Before you decide to buy a modular home, knowing these tips can be beneficial to your budget.
Compare Quotations from Multiple Suppliers
Comparing quotes from multiple suppliers can help you choose the lowest price, making your purchasing process more cost-effective. But be aware that your supplier may offer you a favorable quote by appropriately reducing the cost of materials. Although the low price is what you want, strict quality assurance can make your home safe in the long run.
Encourage Simplification of Requirements
When choosing modules for your home, you will want to have many modules, most of which may not be practical for your home. The core function of a home is living, which you need to be clear about. Therefore, some other modules, such as garages, basements, etc., can be achieved through other effective means, and it is not necessary to add such components to your modular home. If you want to reduce your costs, it is wise to remove some requirements.
Partner with Local Contractors
One of the characteristics of modular homes is that they are easier to install than traditional homes, which means that some of the work can be done by yourself. If you can do this part yourself, you will save a lot of labor costs, and then hand over the remaining work that requires professional operation to your local contractor. Doesn't this reduce your installation costs through reasonable arrangements?
Possible Price Discounts When Booking During Off-season
Booking during the off-season is the most direct way to reduce the cost of your modular home. Booking between December and February of the following year will offer greater discounts, and many suppliers' prices will be significantly lower during the peak season. This is because around December, the seasonal demand for modular homes weakens, and suppliers may lower their prices during this period to gain orders.
Therefore, if you are not very eager to buy a modular home, booking during the off-season will greatly reduce your budget.
Comprehensive Inspection Checklist to Prevent Omissions and Rework
During acceptance, making a comprehensive checklist can effectively prevent installation omissions that cause secondary rework:
- Wall: Check whether the connection between the wall and the frame is firm and whether there are scratches or damage when completed.
- Floor: Check the cleanliness and flatness of the floor, whether the floor is laid according to the drawings, and whether there is any damage when completed.
- Water and electricity: Check whether the switches and sockets function normally, whether the wire joints are firm, whether the sockets are well grounded, whether the layout of the water pipes is reasonable, and whether waterproofing treatment has been done.
- Concealed works: Check the location and quality of electrical pipelines and drainage pipes.
- Waterproof works: Check whether the waterproof coating of the entire modular house is applied properly and whether there is water seepage.
Preventive Maintenance Measures
Preventive maintenance measures are more about reducing actual costs. Check the facilities in your home to avoid problems that will increase your costs. For example, properly ventilate the house to avoid moisture in the house, which can cause floor problems. Regularly check doors, windows, and locks to see if they are intact. This not only prevents foreign objects from entering but also protects your safety. And regularly check whether the equipment in the house is in good working order, especially the circuits and water pipes. If they are facing aging problems, they should be replaced in time.
Energy Efficiency Improvements
Use some improvement plans to make your modular building more energy efficient, thereby reducing your energy costs. For example, modular homes can use high-efficiency insulation materials to insulate the roof, thereby reducing the heating load of your home. Adding solar appliances to your modular home, or even using solar energy to power your home, will reduce energy consumption while reducing carbon emissions, which is of great significance to protecting the environment.
Summary
Through the whole article, you know how much modular housing costs. The modular home costs are lower than traditional housing, and modular housing is an efficient living solution. After that, you learn the factors that affect the cost of modular housing, and recognizing the importance of these factors can effectively help you save on your modular housing costs. But in the end, choosing a house structure that suits your own needs still requires you to flexibly adjust your budget based on your situation and pursue the most cost-effective house-building path.
