Most of the queries we’ve received over the years have been specific to our construction process and how it can save time and money without ever sacrificing quality or the ability to customize. If you been questioning some of these same point, the information below will help.
If however, you have that has not been answered here, please contact us directly and we will be happy to assist you.
- QUESTION: What is Component Construction?
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ANSWER: Component Construction builds homes according to local building codes using traditional framing details. Components are built in a factory as roof trusses, wall panels and floor panels. The components are transported to the job site where they are assembled into place with a crane. Completion of the exterior and interior of the home is done at the job site.
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- QUESTION: What is Modular Construction?
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ANSWER: Modular Construction starts out the same as Component Construction with roof trusses, wall panels and floor panel components. With Modular Construction, the components are assembled into three dimensional modules in the factory. Most of the exterior and interior of the modules are completed at the factory. The modules are transported to the job site and set in place with a crane. Homes generally consist of two or more modules.
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- QUESTION: What is the difference between Component Construction and Stick Built Construction?
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ANSWER: Stick Built Construction refers to the building method where the entire home is built at the jobsite stick by stick. Today few homes are built completely as Stick Built Construction because most homes use components that are built in a factory such as roof trusses, windows, pre-hung doors and cabinets. Component Construction just continues the trend by building walls and floors as components.
Both Component and Stick Built Construction follow the same local building code and use the same traditional framing details. Component Construction builds inside in a controlled environment, on specialized equipment with all of the materials within easy reach. Stick Built Construction builds outside on the ground in all types of weather and has to work with material where ever the lumber yard dumps it.
The main advantages of Component Construction are that the builder has much better control of their costs, the homes are framed in much more quickly and there is less weather damage and theft at the jobsite.
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- QUESTION: What is the difference between Modular and Mobile Home Construction?
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ANSWER: Mobile Home Construction refers to a building method where the home is built according to a national HUD code instead of the local building code. This code allows mobile homes to be built with different and often lesser quality standards than regular houses. The goal is to provide housing that is more affordable than regular housing. The main disadvantages of mobile homes are that they depreciate in value, they do not qualify for conventional mortgages and insurance costs are higher. The characteristic that is most unique to mobile homes is that the floor is a metal chassis with removable wheels that is used to transport the home to the job site. The only similarities between the two methods of construction are that the homes are built as modules and they are both built in factories.
Many mobile home companies also produce modular homes in the same factory. These modular homes built by mobile home companies are built according to local building codes but often contain the same lesser quality materials and are built with the same lesser quality standards as mobile homes. Wausau Homes does not build mobile homes and only uses high quality materials and standards in our modular homes.
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- QUESTION: What is a manufactured home?
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ANSWER: Technically a manufactured home is a mobile home. In 1976 the US Government adopted a national HUD building code for mobile homes. In that program they defined mobile homes as manufactured homes and the mobile home industry has since adopted that name. A better name to use for these types of homes is manufactured mobile homes.
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- QUESTION: How can I tell the difference between homes built with each of these construction methods?
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ANSWER: You need to find out what building code the home is being built to. The home is a manufactured mobile home if it is built following the national HUD building code. The most unique characteristic is that the floor is a steel chassis. The home is a regular home if it follows the local building code. All regular homes use components that are built in a factory. The degree of completion in a factory is what defines the difference between modular, component and stick-built homes. All three of these types of homes are indistinguishable from each other when the home is finished.
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QUESTION: What are the main benefits of Component Construction?
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ANSWER:
- The builder is better able to control costs for the homeowner
- Homes are completed faster
- Homes are built in a controlled environment minimizing weather damage and theft at the jobsite
HERE'S HOW THE PROCESS WORKS:
The building process begins by engineering the home on a 3D computer system. Our engineers analyze the home to make sure it is structurally sound.
The 3D engineering system interfaces with our order management system to order all of the material needed to build the home. Components are built as floor panels, wall panels and roof trusses in our state of the art production facilities. The 3D engineering system interfaces with computer controlled saws to accurately and efficiently cut material. Specialized equipment is used to build the components in a quality and efficient manner. And the best part is that the components are built indoors in a controlled environment which minimizes weather damage and jobsite theft.
Components are loaded onto trucks and delivered to the jobsite. A typical home is delivered on three loads. ??At the jobsite, the builder puts in the foundation and supervises a four person subcontract crew that assembles the components onto the foundation using a crane. The crew generally completes all of the framing in 2-5 days depending on the size of the home.
Exterior completion material such as siding and shingles are delivered with the framing components. The builder coordinates the installation of these materials after framing is complete.
On the inside of the home, the builder coordinates plumbers, electricians, insulating contractors, sheetrock hangers and drywallers.
Once drywalling is complete, Wausau Homes delivers the remaining interior completion materials such as cabinets, countertops, interior doors and trim. The builder coordinates the installation of these materials and the finishing of the home.
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QUESTION: What are the main benefits of Modular Construction?
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ANSWER:
- The builder is better able to control costs for the homeowner
- Homes are framed in faster
- Homes are built in a controlled environment minimizing weather damage and theft at the jobsite
HERE'S HOW THE PROCESS WORKS:
The building process begins by engineering the home on a 3D computer system. Our engineers analyze the home to make sure it is structurally sound.
The 3D engineering system interfaces with our order management system to order all of the material needed to build the home.
A typical modular home is comprised of two to four modules.
Modular homes are built following local building codes and use proven building techniques. The first step is to build components in our state of the art production facilities and assemble them into three-dimensional modules. We complete most of the exterior and interior of the modules in our plants. On the exterior of the modules we install the windows and most of the siding, shingles and other architectural details. On the inside of the modules we install all of the wiring, plumbing, insulation and sheet rock. After drywalling is complete, we install plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, cabinets, countertops, interior doors and trim. ??The modules are loaded onto special trailers and delivered to the jobsite.
At the jobsite, the builder coordinates the placement of the modules onto the foundation with a crane. After the modules are in place, the builder seals up the roof. On the outside, the builder assembles the garage components and installs all of the siding, shingles and architectural treatments that were not installed at the plant. On the inside, the builder finishes off the connection between the modules and coordinates installation of carpeting and other miscellaneous items.
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