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In the simplest form, factory-built homes are constructed off site in a controlled indoor environment. However, there is a bit more to it than that. Whereas a typical site-built home is required to pass county or state building codes throughout the construction process, the term “manufactured home” specifically refers to a home built entirely in a protected environment under a federal code set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Manufactured homes are NOT mobile homes. The term “mobile home” describes factory-built homes produced prior to the 1976 HUD Code enactment.

The HUD code requires each manufactured home to meet the following requirements:

• Built as a one, two or three section home in a protected building center, transported to the home site on a frame and installed.
• Meets the strict HUD code restrictions for design and construction, durability and strength, fire resistance, transportability, energy efficiency and quality.
• Built on steel beams with wheels under each section.
• Meets the high standards for heating, plumbing, air conditioning and thermal and electrical systems’ performance.
• Passes stringent third party inspections.

Our Cavco family of builders use a factory-crafted construction process to ensure precision and quality in every home we built. All of our homes are built inside our environmentally-protected manufacturing facilities, then carefully inspected to ensure they meet HUD standards and finally transported to the prepared site, where they are professionally affixed to foundations.

Building homes in a factory – just like a car, a computer or anything else built in a factory – allows for much more control over the building process, so they are not affected by the delays and costs that come with outdoor construction. There are several clear advantages.

Controlled Environment

Unlike site-built construction, homes built in a climate-controlled factory are protected from unpredictable weather conditions. Building materials are never exposed to the elements – extreme temperatures, moisture, rain, snow or hale damage. This eliminates problems such as expansion, contraction, warping or mold, not to mention theft or vandalism.

Time Savings

Every construction process, including electrical and plumbing, is completed at the factory. This eliminates many of the scheduling hassles  that slow down site-built construction. And the foundation and site work can take place while construction is underway. Plus, there are no weather delays, which are common outdoors. All of this makes for a shorter, more reliable timeline – putting you in your new home in fraction of the time required for site-built construction.

Cost Savings

Our factory-crafted homes are less expensive than site-built homes for several reasons. The building process is quicker, with no construction delays or cost overruns. There is no wasted time and no wasted materials because we reuse or repurpose everything. And because we buy construction materials in large quantities, we can pass that savings along to our customers. These add up to major cost savings – usually anywhere from 10 to 30 percent from the cost of a site-built home. This can make upgrades to your home more possible as well.

Quality

Cavco homes are constructed using advanced building technologies and quality building materials. Our skilled workforce is made up of highly trained men and women who are committed to building superior homes. They come to the same place to work every day and work on similar models and products day in and day out.  They know their job requirements and they do them well.  Every Cavco manufactured home meets or exceeds the code requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). And each one is carefully tested and inspected.

Cavco builds a variety of different types of homes within the controlled environment of our indoor manufacturing facilities. They are all built using our factory-crafted construction process to ensure precision and quality.

Manufactured Homes

Manufactured homes are built to very specific building specifications that are laid out by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). One of these requirements is that they are built with quality materials inside a climate-controlled building. The HUD code also provides specific construction guidelines to ensure that all homes meet safety and quality standards.

Manufactured homes can be produced in a variety of sizes, styles and floor plans, with some customizations available.

Modular Homes

Modular homes are similar to manufactured homes. The primary difference is that rather than following national HUD codes, modular homes are built to all applicable state and local building codes. These codes can differ by state, as well as by county, city or township.

Modular homes can be produced in a variety of sizes, styles and floor plans, and are fully customizable. Cavco is a leader in building residential modular homes, and we can convert most of our models from a HUD code to a modular code, if requested.

Park Models

Park Models, often called Tiny Homes, are smaller versions of Modular Homes. They are usually limited to no more than 400 square feet as specified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) code.  This size makes them ideal for vacation getaways, especially those located at a state or national park.

Planned Communities

These are manufactured homes already located in a community development. Explore planned communities.

Factory-built homes – whether a manufactured home, a modular home or a park model – are growing in popularity among American homebuyers. However, there are still some misconceptions out there. Let’s set the record straight on a few of those myths with the facts:

Are factory-built homes as safe as site-built homes?

Today’s factory-built homes are designed and constructed to withstand the severe weather. The building materials used are the same as those used in site-built homes and are engineered to the strict safety standards of the national and regional codes. When built to the HUD code (which has been in effect since 1976), factory-built homes are durable and structurally sound.

Since 1994, the HUD code has included an even stricter standard for factory-built homes in areas prone to high winds and hurricanes. These are called Wind Zone Rules. They rate the amount of sustained wind speeds a factory-built home is made to withstand. And manufactured homes are built according to a defined wind zone, based on the typical wind pattern of where you live. This means they are comparable to site-built homes in terms of safety.

Are Factory-built homes made to last?

Since 1976, all factory-built homes have been constructed to the highest standards in every way. They use the same quality materials as site-built homes and must even pass a rigorous inspection process during construction. Factory-built homes can reliably last for decades with the appropriate maintenance. According to HUD, the average life expectancy of a manufactured home is between 30 and 55 years. And this life span is expected to increase as advances continue in the industry. Additionally, research following some of the most recent hurricanes in Florida has proven that homes built to the new, strict HUD standards have fared well in surviving the harshest storm winds.

Do Factory-built homes appreciate in value?

A home’s value does not appreciate based on whether it is factory-built or site-built. There are other major factors that determine appreciation for both types of homes. These factors include things such as the location of the home, how well it is maintained, and the state of the housing market. Overall, factory-built homes generally increase in value at the same rate as other homes in the same area.

Do Factory-built homes all look alike?

Today’s factory-built homes come in a wide variety of architectural styles and floor plans. And they can be customized to fit every lifestyle and budget. This flexibility will allow you to meet your individual needs and unique tastes, while also blending into a neighborhood setting. Often, Cavco’s in-house engineering and design team can customize your home by enlarging rooms, reconfiguring kitchens and baths, and making other changes based on your preferences.

Are Factory-built homes energy efficient?

Energy efficiency is now a top priority for the Cavco family of factory-built home builders. We use energy-efficient lighting, windows and appliances, as well as sustainable and recycled materials during the construction process. Cavco’s construction method is green because it increases the efficiency with which our homes use resources, such as energy, water and materials, while reducing their impact on the environment.

Is it difficult to find financing for Factory-built homes?

The process of financing a factory-built home is actually very similar to that of site-built homes. There are many options to help you become a homeowner, depending on your situation and circumstances. Contact your local Cavco brand retailer for information on financing options in your area.