Share This Article
Modular homes consist of factory-built sections transported to the construction site by truck and joined together. Although movers don’t do it often, you can still make a modular move for the second time. Learn more about modular frameworks and platforms and how to move your property to another site.
Modular house frames and foundation types
There are two main modular home framing options – top and outer frames, with the frame referring to the steel slide on which the builder assembles the house.
For off-frame modular homes, carriers lift the structures off the frame with a crane and place them on a fixed foundation. The on-frame design involves leaving the modular house on its steel slider when installed.
Depending on the frame and location, your modular home can be placed on several types of foundations:
- Pier: Secure your modular home and protect it from flooding and frost with cement posts set into the ground. Seats with attached steel straps provide a steel frame for your home with attached vinyl skirting.
- Flooring: Add stability through the freezing temperatures of winter with support from an affordable 4- to 6-inch concrete foundation poured with sand or gravel. Combine the pillars below for the best possible support platform. Floor slabs provide a clean, dry area underneath your home to resist flooding, wind, and frost.
- Slabs and concrete skirting: Create more space for utilities and storage underneath your home with the popular bar-built aesthetic. Stops under the house’s steel beams provide support, while the perimeter protects from pests and wind.
- Crawl Space: Support the weight of your home while keeping it 48 inches off the ground. This foundation offers average installation costs and resistance to moisture, wind, termites, and frost.
- Basement: Add additional living space with reliable foundations, windows and doors to your home using precise measurements and city building codes. At a higher cost, basement foundations increase the area and value of your home.
6 steps to move a modular home to another site
Whether you’ve found your dream home or want to move to another location for work or family, a modular move allows you to pack everything up and take it with you. Relocating a structure includes uninstalling and moving module parts. Prepare for your modular move with these six steps:
Prepare your building: Before moving your home, remove any heavy or fragile items and remove items from the exterior walls. Moving insurance will cover your belongings if damage occurs.
Unplug utilities: It’s best to hire a professional to remove electrical and gas connections safely and correctly. Ideally, your moving company will handle this step.
Prepare the new location: Prepare the ground before you arrive at the house. Choose from foundation options and follow local rules and regulations to build your structural site.
Find the right moving company: Hire an experienced, reputable, and quality moving company. Choose a company with the proper license and insurance for shipping, preferably with rental utilities, to make the transition easier.
Get an estimate: Check with your module driver for an estimate. Factors that affect cost include the type of foundation, local and state permits, and the weight of the home.
Plan your time: Prepare for about two to three days for the uninstallation process. Travel time will vary by distance, and installing utility connections at a new location usually takes several weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions about Module Home Migration
Plan your modular move by reviewing these common questions and answers:
Can you move the prefab home?
Property owners can move a prefab home, although the cost can be high if the structure is intended to be permanent.
Can I move my module home again?
Modular homes can move multiple times, making the process easier than frame homes because the steel slider helps with loading. When budgeting for a move, homeowners should consider factors such as the size of the house, transportation distance, the condition of the home, and any associated costs that the mover is aware of.
How do you order a permanent modular house?
Obtain an affidavit confirming permanent residence on the land, which must be recorded at the county assessor or scribe’s office.
A modular house is a fixed structure.
There is a common misconception about modular homes. While some may think these are mobile homes, modular homes are permanent structures with a permanent foundation.
Modular homes are safe during minor storms because they are securely fixed to the ground. Unless there is severe flooding – putting any home at risk – modular homes can handle the occasional rainfall and wind with no problems. This is not the case for mobile homes with temporary foundations and baseboards.
There are strict building codes for modular homes.
Modular homes and on-site homes have several things in common. Notably, they follow identical standards for building codes. Builders create modular homes to withstand earthquakes and withstand the effects of hurricanes.
These structures are made inside factories, so the materials entering your home will be in a controlled environment with little moisture. Modular homes are built for safety in a tornado or hurricane, and inspectors will test the surface for structural strength before shipping.
Some modular houses have reinforced frames.
Modular home builders design the structure to survive the need for transportation. Most modular homes come equipped with sturdier racks that they can transport using a flatbed.
The designer must consider vibrations to load and unload a modular house from a flat slab. This may include adding three-pane windows or reinforced drywall sections. Most modular homes are also built with solid adhesives and hardware for maximum security.
Follow and update more news at Georgia Modularhomes