Buying a Modular Home: Is It Really Cheaper Than Traditional Construction?
Buying a Modular Home: Is It Really Cheaper Than Traditional Construction? When you’re scrolling through real estate listings or browsing builder websites, it’s easy to see advertisements for modular homes at prices that seem almost too good to be true. You might see a "base price" of $75,000 and wonder how that compares to a traditional stick-built home that costs three times as much. The truth? Modular construction is generally more cost-effective, but "cheaper" isn't the right word—"efficient" is. If you want to know if you can actually save money, you have to look past the base module price and understand the Turnkey Ratio . Understanding the "Turnkey Ratio" The biggest trap for new buyers is confusing the price of the structure with the price of the finished home . The Structure (50%–60% of budget): This is the cost of the home as it leaves the factory floor. It includes framing, insulation, electrical wiring, plumbing, and interior ...