North Carolina Modular Homes
The industry of modular homes is increasing its popularity in most parts of North Carolina, from nine and a half billion dollar value in the year 2003 to almost thirteen billion dollars in 2007.
Residents of North Carolina used to think modular homes are dwellings that looked like trailer courts called mobile homes. When they were properly educated of what really a modular home is, they also became aware of the benefits and advantages it can bring.
Aside from being unique since modular homes can be customized according to their own preference, it is also as durable like the traditional site-built homes. Since 85 to 90 percent of these homes are made from the factory, it will give less construction time and will never be delayed by the rude weather factor especially in North Carolina where it is always a cold season. Home builders are also professional, therefore, making the erection of your new lair be done in a quickly and efficient manner. In two to four weeks time, the newly built modular home is now ready to be occupied.
More and more people from North Carolina are availing the factory-built home. That is why, the members of North Carolina MHI, representatives from the Department of Insurance and engineers discussed last January 18, 2007 the changes that should be made regarding the set standards and regulations for modular homes. It was discussed that the North Carolina residential code (2006 edition) will have certain changes concerning the plumbing, energy conservation and mechanical changes. Moreover, the North Carolina Modular Plans Review Approval should undergo some modification in relation to its processing.
The local state code (current edition) requires two complete sets of the house plan before they approve that the modular house met the standards. It includes the plan for the foundation and plan for the subsequent floors. For the first floor framing plan, information such as the specific wall footing, wall size, construction size, details on floor slabs, vent calculation, the size and location of the door and anchor bolts should be included. As for the following floor plans, the details about the walls, stairs and doors’ location and size, ceiling plan along with the bearings, spacing and size, and lastly the beams and headers’ support and attachments should be incorporated.
David Bennett, a small modular home builder from Asheville, North Carolina gave the said industry a new perspective when he built a project with the size of 2,400 square foot and was approved by the North Carolina Healthy Built Homes program. He wanted to build a modular home that is simply one of a kind, a home that is resource efficient, energy efficient and still strong enough for people to live in. He called it a Green Modular Home and it was a very successful experiment that gave more boost to the popularity of modular home industry in North Carolina. The “green house” project is composed of tree preservation plan, airtight construction, appliances qualified by the ENERGY STAR, fluorescent lighting, finishing touches and construction waste recycling.
