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sunnysmomfl

Anyone build a modular cape cod?

10 years ago

If you have any suggestions or feedback I would appreciate it. I am hoping to start building in the next few months.
The downstairs will be 3bedroom/2 bath a little over 2000 sq ft. The upstairs will be unfinished and a little over 1000 sq ft.
Thanks
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Comments (9)

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Hi again! Oops, reading your house description, I guess the smaller homes forum isn't for you! We are all homes under 2,000 sq. ft.

    christopher-h is our residential modular homes expert over here. I don't know if his home is a Cape Cod, but I would guess that's not important for answering general questions about modular homes.

    I think you'll get more helpful advice if you can ask some questions that are more specific. Examples: What should I watch for during the installation? My contractor/dealer said, blah blah blah. Does this make sense? How long does it take for the complete set up? How can I tell if an interior wall is load bearing? Should I put in a full basement? How do I choose a reputable dealer? Who will be the GC?

    Or whatever your concerns are. Your house really sounds great! Do you have future plans for the unfinished second floor?

    Have a great day! :-)

  • 10 years ago

    Is there a reason you want to go modular? Some think modulars are cheaper than site built, but that's not always accurate as many things are the same price no matter what you build. Property costs, lot clearing, foundation, power to the home, water/sewer or well/septic, HVAC, driveway, final landscaping, etc are all the same no matter what you put there. Overall the final price is pretty much the same. The only real advantage is time.

    What you will be looking at are two boxes that will be your downstairs, and one box for the upstairs which will be craned to the center of the lower boxes. Then the finish carpenters will build the roof with any dormers. Garages, etc are all site built by a subcontractor.

    Have you looked at any modular homes yet?

  • 10 years ago

    i guess i am wondering if anyone regretted building a cape cod style home and if you ever think you should have just built a traditional two story.

    Any difficulties with heating/cooling the upstairs?

    Did you have any plumbing roughed in for the upstairs?

    Any issues with dormers leaking?

    Did you find the dormers difficult in furniture placement/functional space usage? I have always like the idea of dormers but never really had one.

    Did you have engineered drawings for the upstairs done before you ordered your home?

    I think the upstairs will be a bedroom/bathroom on each end and big open family room/game room in the middle.

    I just really like the look of this style home but I am still a little nervous since I have never seen one completed except for pics. I am in an area of traditional stucco mcmansions so this is considered a small home. Even when the upstairs is finished, It will be less than half the size of the one going up next door. I think this may be even smaller than the barn on the other side of us. So I may lurk in the small homes area anyway :)

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Christopher h - We started this journey last spring with hopes of building a prefab home by a company out of NC. You have to find your own builder then they ship you the shell complete with roof, windows, siding. I could not find a builder and held onto that dream for to long, now we really need to get this home built asap. We bought the land, sold our home and moved into an apartment. We had talked to a builder who said Yes and he was on board with building the home, later he decided he would prefer we select one of his designs or work with his design group with to create a custom plan.

    There is no recession in my area, homes are going up on every corner again and most are in planned communities.

    Yes I have looked at modulars. Many companies in GA and Fl. Very few will build for FL and many in FL do not have a good reputation. I had found a company in GA I liked, however I ran into the same problem as the prefab. No local builder.

    I have watched many of the you tube videos for modular homes being constructed and also have gone thru the pictures of the exact house I want being built. I think i have about 70 pics of it from start to finish that the builder sent me. I have no questions on the actual build process. My SIL also built modular many years ago and they are still happy with their home. My only concern is the kitchen/bath cabinets. I will likely go very minimal and then redo it myself later.

    I am curious, if you had to do it again would you go modular?

  • 10 years ago

    This pic shows the upstairs area that is unfinished, it has 2 "boxes instead of 3.

  • 10 years ago

    You aren't working with a modular dealer? Why?

  • 10 years ago

    I am, the builder is the dealer.

  • 10 years ago

    Hi Sunysmom! You're welcome to lurk, and post, in smaller homes any time! We're a mellow bunch over there. I can tell you, from reading previous posts, that christipher_h loves his modular home. I knew he'd be the one with the information you are seeking. I'd also advise looking through some of the posts on this forum; there are quite a few on the topic of modular homes, and I think they'd prove to be very informational. Have a great day!

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