DIY Network

History and Modular Factory From "Assembly Required" episode DASR-101

Homeowners Louis and Alexsandra Papadopoulos visit the Nationwide Homes modular factory to see if the company can meet their custom design and square footage requirements.

First, a brief history of where this all began!

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History

In order to understand how prefab homes went from bland boxes (figure A) to dynamic dwellings (figure B), one must start at the beginning. In the boom years of the 1950’s, the need for affordable housing peaked. Sears and Montgomery Ward had the solution...kit homes from a catalog (figure C). The new catalog kit homes were mass produced in a factory and shipped out...nails, paint, manual and all. The prefab prototypes ranged in price from $500 to $5,000.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Today, gone are the "wheel-'em-in" and "plop-'em-down" homes of yesteryear (figure D). Prefab homes still originate in a factory, but that’s really where the similarities end. Over time and with enhanced technology, prefabs have morphed into homes of distinct style (figure E). With choices ranging from traditional, to ultra-modern, today’s prefab homes are truly remarkable.

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

The Factory

Homeowners Louis and Alexsandra tour a modular factory (figure F) to see if going modular is right for their family.

They learn that the floor and wall systems are built in a jig to keep everything square (figure G). The wall system (figure H) is then attached to the floor system and the drywall is installed (figure I).

Figure G

Figure H

Figure I

	Figure J
	Figure K
	Figure L

The couple is happy to see that a quality control specialist is always on the prowl checking the homes for accuracy (figure J). Roof trusses and shingles complete the module (figure K). Plumbing and electrical installation is also completed on site. Finishing touches like paint, windows, tiles, appliances and even the front doors are added at the final factory stage (figure L).

Louis and Alexsandra like what they see, but will they decide to go the modular route?

Modular Quick Facts

• Modular homes typically take seven to 10 days to complete in the factory.

• Modular homes are held to the same building code standards as traditional stick-built homes.

• Modules are 90 to 95% complete when shipped from the factory.

• There are over 80 producers of modular housing throughout the United States.

RESOURCES :

Nationwide Custom Homes
Contact: Reed Dillon
Website: www.nationwide-homes.com

Manufactured Housing Institute
Contact: Bruce Savage
Website: www.manufacturedhousing.org

Building Systems Council
National Association of Home Builders
E-mail: efulton@nahb.com

GUESTS :

Tim McGrath
McGrath Custom Homes, LLC
Authorized Builder for Nationwide Custom Homes
Phone: 703-787-0307
Website: www.mcgrathcustomhomes.com/