Are you a relative newbie, or just need a refresher on the question of "modular" versus "prefabricated"? You're in luck: we've got you covered with the basics.
Builders, developers, designers, and architects have developed a range of homes that are composed of prefabricated, modular, or kit-of-parts pieces that can allow for lower costs, faster and easier on-site construction, and even higher quality spaces. Here, we delve into the differences—and similarities—among these manufactured residences.
We’ve gathered the floor plans of some of our favorite prefabricated and modular homes to better appreciate not only how they look from the outside, but also how they function spatially.
These reliable companies across the United States are here to help you make your prefab dream home a reality.
Arizona might be known for its beautiful national parks and lunar-like desert landscapes, but it also features a number of successful prefab and modular home companies.
In a state where the weather ranges from the dry, arid heat of the Mojave Desert to the snowy mountaintops of Lake Tahoe, it can be difficult to imagine prefab homes that suit the broad range of climates—and clients!—that can be found in California. But fear not: we’ve gathered some of the most trustworthy, dependable companies that design and fabricate prefab homes throughout the state.
With its nautical history, breathtaking natural landscape, classic New England architecture—and, lest we forget, delicious lobster—Maine has a lot to offer its residents. With an eye on sustainable practices and energy-efficient buildings, prefabricated and modular homes have become more and more popular, often inspired by the local vernacular farmhouses and cabins.
Prefabricated homes in New England have never looked so appealing, thanks to these Massachusetts companies.
If you're seeking to build a prefab or modular home in the great state of Minnesota, these four firms are eagerly waiting to assist.
If you're seeking to move into a modern prefab and are located near New Hampshire, look no further—we've rounded up five of the top prefab home builders in the area.
New York State hosts a slew of companies that are building modern prefab or modular homes that continue to push the envelope of building technology.
If you live in Ohio and are thinking of trading in your traditional build for a new prefab home, you won’t need to look far for assistance.
If you're thinking about a move to Oregon or simply daydreaming about setting up a winter cabin near Mount Hood, consider looking into these prefab home builders and designers that are based in, or provide service to, the state of Oregon.
From small towns to big cities, prefab home construction is becoming more and more popular in the Keystone State. Take a look at five modular home companies that are building contemporary, prefabricated homes.
The state of Washington has quickly risen to the top of the prefab residential market thanks to its collection of well-established builders and architects. Often with an eye toward eco-conscious features and a preference for local materials like Western cedar, these professionals are seeking to address the local housing market with long-term fixes.
Get inspired by these prefabricated marvels from all across the globe.
Does the idea of owning a modern kit home pique your interest? Good news: we’ve assembled a list of kit home companies in all seven continents for you.
These homes from the land down under respond to challenging locations and climate change with modular solutions.
We’re always keeping an eye out for good-looking prefabricated homes; here are seven in the state of California that we love.
Many architects in California regularly take on the challenge of experimenting with alternative construction methods. These seven modular homes throughout the state—that make the most of the varied landscape—push the envelope with innovative prefab designs.
When an efficient prefab can become a coastal retreat with a spectacular view to boot—it makes a very compelling case for not being landlocked. Here, we've gathered a variety of prefabs set in diverse locations around the world, providing you a little inspiration if you're currently plotting a feasible way to build a beach house of your very own.
Boasting a thrilling topography that ranges from deep canyons to alpine mountains, and arid plains to rolling dunes, the state of Colorado offers an equally broad variety of modern, weather-appropriate prefab homes. Here, we review some of our favorite modular homes in this outdoorsy destination.
Although the locations of these prefab homes range in remoteness, each of them are carefully nestled into their harsh desert surroundings—thanks to practical features that help them deal with the extremes that come with the territory.
Paneled, modular, and kit residences are more affordable and eco-friendly than structures built with traditional techniques—and they’re popping up from coast to coast.
Here, we take a look at both models and completed residences in Florida that take advantage of the benefits of prefabrication and modular construction, while meeting the necessary standards to withstand the state’s environmental conditions.
The state of Georgia might have you thinking more about traditional Southern architecture than modern prefab homes, but these modular, kit, and prefabricated homes will have you think again.
If you enjoy breathtaking landscapes and sunny beaches, then Hawaii is the perfect destination for you. Carve out your own slice of paradise with these seven prefabs and kit homes.
The idea of island living is as aspirational as it gets. These prefabricated homes on islands around the world will give you the inspiration you need.
These homes in the Great Lakes State will have you reconsidering the possibilities of prefab design.
Take a look at 20 trustworthy prefab companies that do an outstanding job at creating the perfect modern mountain home.
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One of the benefits of prefabricated and modular buildings is that they leave minimal construction waste and can be built without damaging much of the land they’re sited on. Take a look at these seven prefabs that are located on stunning natural sites—ranging from the California desert to the Norwegian mountains.
The Pacific Northwest is known for driving forward the causes of environmentalism, energy efficiency, and eco-consciousness. These 10 buildings showcase the diversity and range that can be achieved in prefabricated dwellings, both in accommodating customizations and reducing footprints on the pieces of land they occupy.
Although Seattle has long been acclaimed for being surrounded by water, mountains, and evergreen forests, more recently, it’s become a hotbed for modern design and high-quality architecture. With real estate prices at an all-time high and inventory at an all-time low, it’s understandable why prefabricated and modular homes are increasing in popularity.
Known for its world-famous charm, wide-open spaces, and sunny skies, the South can be a welcoming place to call home. Whether you’re dreaming of living there in a modern farmhouse or a classic log cabin, these kit home companies can help you realize your prefab home building ambitions.
Acclaimed for being cost-efficient, sustainable, and stylish, it’s no wonder why prefabricated homes are being embraced with open arms. Although these carefully crafted properties are popping up all across the globe, we can't get enough of the prefab action currently taking place in Texas.
Prefabricated houses were in fact a major part of the British government’s plan to address the UK's public housing shortage after World War II. Between 1945 and 1951, an estimated 1.2 million new prefab houses were constructed. Today, new modern prefab and modular homes not only meet housing demands, but also make strong architectural statements with their streamlined designs and eco-friendly construction methods.
These seven striking homes are proof of how well prefabs work within the bucolic settings of America's Dairyland.
Prefab comes in all shapes and sizes—see the unique constructions that made the cut.
Better your home's indoor/outdoor connection with one of these DIY deck kits.
A dedicated room for sun rays doesn't have to be solely used for relaxing, but it can also be a versatile, multi-use area that can act as an office, playroom, painting studio, or entertaining space—just to name a few.
Whether it's converting your existing garage space into a vibrant and productive workshop, erecting a ready-made prefab structure, or building one yourself from scratch based off of plans you found online, here are some engaging garage solutions that caught our eye.
No longer restricted to the habitation of cows, sheep, tractors, or potatoes, a prefabricated barn can be a useful and versatile addition to any property.
Whether it be to accommodate a growing family, visiting friends, or a vacation rental business, a modular guesthouse can be a time- and cost-effective alternative to more traditional builds or remodels.
Being lighter and thinner than regular wood, plywood has more flexibility compared to standard wood blocks and slabs. Take a look at these projects that incorporate this multifunctional material in various ways.
Here are some companies we've discovered that provide ready-made prefab log home solutions that are durable and honor the tradition.
We’ve gathered some sun-filled examples of prefab designs that coexist with modern pools—providing some inspiration if you're considering bringing these two ideas together on your own property.
The advantages that come with building a steel prefab go far beyond just the aesthetic choices. Thanks to its durability, strength, and cost-effectiveness, many prefab architects choose to work with steel.
While concrete prefab providers are scant, we looked up a few that come highly recommended.
These industrial converted homes are changing the meaning of modern prefab housing.
Browse through these amazing European prefab shipping container companies that you can count on when building your home.
Take a look at 16 companies in the United States that are great to use when building a prefab shipping container home.
Compact, sturdy, economical, and eco-friendly—what better way could there be to build a dream island getaway? Here we showcase a few of our favorite island-based shipping container homes.
Using the trusted shells of classic shipping containers, these unusual designs feature additions and modifications that push the boundaries of home building.
To help you get started buying a shipping container, we asked architects, DIY home builders, and shipping container experts from around the world for their inside tips on bringing home the best possible container for your building needs.
Make sure you're employing the best of the best with our coverage of the best prefab companies across the globe.
We believe that working with a company that you trust is imperative when building your dream home. Take a look at 22 top-tier, reliable prefab companies from around the world that perfectly execute the modern house look.
Inspired by Nordic nature, Honka offers prefabs and custom-built log home kits at an affordable price. Founded in 1958 by the Finnish Saarelainen brothers in Eastern Finland, Honka—known as Honkarakenne in Finland—was the first industrial manufacturer of log houses.
Resolution:4 Architecture creates astounding prefabricated homes that are tailored to their sites and the unique needs of their owners. Founded in 1990 by Joseph Tanney and Robert Luntz, Manhattan–based firm Resolution: 4 Architecture (RES4) works on a broad range of architectural projects.
Many companies will deliver all the materials necessary for construction to your site—either off-plan, or working specifically to your custom wishes. Here are a few companies that can help you realize your dream of building your own home.
The geodesic dome is able to cover more space without internal supports than any other enclosure. This design is a breakthrough in shelter, not only in cost-effectiveness, but in ease of construction and energy efficiency. Here are some dome home kit companies we can recommend if you're considering building your own.
The DIY kit home is a standardized but customizable item that combines prefabricated parts, affordability, and ease of production with the opportunity for consumer individuality. Although the log cabin model remains a popular standard, contemporary kit homes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are more affordable, customizable, and efficient.
If you like the cozy, low maintenance joy of small space living, then you’ll probably find eco-pods very appealing. Eco-pods are self-contained architectural units that are sustainably manufactured, transportable, built with the environment in mind—and often, they function off the grid.
In an attempt to tackle rising housing prices among heavily congested cities, the team behind Berlin–based Cabin Spacey has created a project known as the Minimal House, which is a network of easily accessible tiny homes across the world.
Settled logs that shrink can pose a problem for builders of log homes, as this calls for constant adjustments and maintenance. To counter the effect, architects and builders have come up with non-settling systems that prevent logs from sinking and shrinking. One such innovator is Pluspuu, Helsinki-based designers of high-quality, durable log homes constructed with non-settling logs.
If you're ready to take the plunge into prefab, these affordable, speedy, and trustworthy companies take the guesswork out of selecting your new home. Not so sure? We've got the 411 on stunning prefabs that are available to rent for your next vacation.
One of the most intriguing ways of building a new dwelling, prefabricated homes are continually growing in popularity due to their high-quality construction offsite and relatively quick turnaround times. Many prefab homes can be designed and built in about four to six months, with the last leg of the work—the arrival and on-site installation—in as little as a few days.
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On budget and on trend, these small, affordable homes can be purchased from various homebuilders in the United States and Canada for under $100,000.
Whether your budget is $10,000 or $200,000, this roundup of modular home prices in your area puts prefab within reach.
Construction in a controlled factory setting means these cozy prefab cabins are not only space-efficient, but also carefully built. Here, we take a look at 13 prefabricated cabins that are modern, sleek, and eco-friendly.
Not all prefab homes have a large price tag, and we’ve rounded up six of our favorites that can be purchased for under $250,000 here.
Take a look at these incredible projects that offer clever solutions for affordable living.
If you’re considering building a prefab home but aren't sure if it's right for you, perhaps spending your next vacation in one will help you make up your mind.
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