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Building a house

9 years ago

Hello, my husband and I are looking at building a modular home in MI. We're having a hard time figuring out exactly what floor plan we like, and yes, we know it'll depend on what's available as a modular. Every floor plan as a modular that we have looked at needs tweaking though, but when we start to do it everything gets messed up! Hoping someone can help with some advice.

We know that we want the following things:

1. Open floor plan – we have two children with disabilities and they use walkers and/or wheelchairs to get around. Every door opening needs to be at least 36 in. wide.

2. 4 bedrooms, master, and three kids bedrooms. We’d like the kids rooms to be at least 12x12, without the closets being in the rooms.

3. Preferably 3 bathrooms, one in the master, one for guests and our daughter, one of the bathrooms needs to be fully accessible, tiled shower with no transition, something they can roll into and has enough room for one of us to help them while in there. We’d like it big enough for a table for one to lay on, they have incontinence issues and where diapers. This may be a jack and jill set up.

4. A large mudroom room for the shoes and different accessories we have such as summer clip on fans for the wheelchairs to winter covers, shoes for wearing with leg braces and those to wear without, etc.

5. A ramp preferably in the mudroom as well, but if not then in the garage, this is a must.

6. We’d like the entrance to open into the living room/kitchen/dining area with a separate family room for the kids.

7. A good master suite, large shower and walk in closets, we need a retreat area.

8. A large pantry would be nice as well.

Here are some examples of floor plans we liked so far it seems the family and living rooms aren't separate enough, third bathroom isn't big enough, hallway on the last one is too hard to navigate in wheelchair, kids bedrooms still seem small on most of them, laundry room or mudroom aren't big enough except on the last one, etc.

https://homenation.com/home/wayrest/

https://www.palmharbor.com/model-center/plantcity/stock/stock-134296-2-9-TDX4686T/#photos-videos

https://www.palmharbor.com/model-center/oklahomacity/floorplan/fp-05-tx-evolution-SCWD76X3/#floor-plans

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2285579/one-story-5-bedroom-house-plans-on-any-websites

Comments (13)

  • 9 years ago

    The first one won't work because you would need to go through the kitchen work zone to get to the bedrooms.

    The second one only has 2 full baths.

    You have very unique needs. Have you considered finding an architect to design a house that will work for your special needs?

  • 9 years ago

    I agree, you will probably not find a ready made or modular plan that will fit your needs. It would probably SAVE && (and definitely frustration) to hire an architect to design your plan.

  • 9 years ago

    If you look for a single practitioner, maybe semi retired and someone who specializes in residential, you'll probably find someone who's more reasonable.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    In your planning, are you considering resale value?

  • 9 years ago

    Echoing what others have said, I think you need a custom designed home to meet your unique needs. In fact, I'd probably specifically look for an architect who specializes in designing homes for families with special needs. I found this one with a quick google search, and I'm sure there are others. http://purposefularchitecture.com

  • 9 years ago

    Just wanted to add that many modular companies will build fully custom homes designed by architects. :-) Just make sure your architect knows the design is a modular house (most of the time, there are style and dimension limitations).

    Best of luck to your family!

  • 9 years ago

    I agree with the others regarding securing the services of an architect. What I have not seen, however, is what you hope to get out of building a modular home as opposed to "stick-built". What draws you to that kind of construction?

  • 9 years ago

    Why on earth spend all of that extra funding on going ''modular'' and just end up with something that people mistake for a trailer in resale? Money down the drain that would be far better spent on design.

  • 9 years ago

    To mrspete, thank you for all that information. I didn't know about tornado body dryers, what an awesome concept! Fire safety - yes, we're planning on putting a sprinkler system in. It might sound a bit extreme, but with too non-ambulatory kids it's needed. Plus we have other reasons to be hyper sensitive in that area. Good thoughts on the information basket, and yes, I agree on the jack and jill bath, well, that's why I'd prefer it be jack and jill, so it's not seen from the living areas. Thank you for your information and advice, very helpful!

  • 9 years ago

    Modular's as opposed to stick built are cheaper and greener. I've lived in two, one my father had built when I was a kid and the other I didn't know it was a modular until later. Most people cannot tell a modular house apart from a stick built house, if it is built correctly. Resale is the same as a stick built house, although we're hoping this will be our forever house and don't plan on reselling. Thank you all for your comments regarding architects, we'll definitely have to look into that. Thank you!

  • 9 years ago

    One of my favorite architecture firm does custom designed prefab. They may be able to refer someone in your area or you may like their work - Resolution 4 Architecture. Simplex homes in PA also builds modern prefabs. Not quite sure what style you are looking for. Bluhomes is another one to look at.

  • 9 years ago

    I'm guessing if you were to call and speak to the modular home people, they might be willing to work with you and maybe someone knowledgable about ADA homes to create a home that would work for you. Best of luck and please let us know what you find out because you may wind up helping someone else too.