Moving into a new home is an exciting time in anyone’s life, though it can also be a whirlwind of activity and items to keep track of. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help our clients know what to expect from the move-in process. Most businesses are focused on what happens before you make a purchase, but we want you to be fully prepared for the process that happens after.
The Modular Home Building Process
How Do Builders Create Great Modular Homes?
Clayton Homes of Grand Rapids only works with the best companies in the modular building space. Our partners build high-quality homes using the latest building methods and technologies. Their construction process is designed to create durable, comfortable homes through innovative, cost-effective methods to save you money. We’re confident that you will love your modular home.
A home can only be as good as the materials it is built out of, which is why our partners use well-made, efficient materials during the building process. Those may include stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and energy-efficient windows. Even the walls in Clayton Homes of Grand Rapids are built with two-by-six boards instead of the standard two-by-fours used in site-built homes.
Modular homes are built in large, enclosed facilities that allow workers to have complete control of their workspace and maximize efficiencies. Site-built homes are exposed to the elements during their construction and need to have tools and crew transported to their location. But the manufacturing facilities where modular homes are built are climate-controlled and have all of the best tools only a short distance away from any project.
Our manufacturers work with experienced, professional builders who know how to meet local, state, and national building codes for every project they work on. Their trained inspectors also review the construction process at every stage to ensure our high standards are met.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Modular Home?
The amount of time to build a new home will depend on the manufacturer of the home you choose. Some manufacturers have backlogs, resulting in timelines that stretch for months; others can be completed in as little as six weeks. If you have questions or concerns about the speed of your build, our staff is happy to offer our expertise on which manufacturer is the right fit for your needs.
Delivery Time Estimates
Depending on what homes are available, delivery times can be as short as six weeks, or take between 6–12 months to arrive. As you reach the selection process for your new home, our staff will be able to discuss more specific build and delivery times for the homes you are interested in.
The Modular Home Installation Process
When the construction process for your new home is complete, workers will cover it in weather-resistant material and place it onto large trucks for transportation. Around this time, the modular home’s foundation will be prepared to ensure a smooth installation. In order to place the home, a large crane will be set on stable, level ground.
Placing the Home on Its Foundation
The crew will choose a clear day without high winds or rain to install the home. They will then connect straps or cables from the crane to the modules and lift them one at a time to place them on the foundation. Afterward, crews will get to work connecting the modules and raising the roof.
Additional Modular Home Setup Tasks
After the home is in place, there is still plenty of work to be done, particularly on the interior. At this stage, the home is still around three-quarters of the way done. A partial checklist includes:
- Hooking up utilities, such as water, sewer, and electricity
- Installing stairs and handrails
- Finishing drywall, sealing lines between modules, and repairing any cracks from the transport
- Installing and adjusting cabinetry, furniture, and other items
- Testing utilities
- Laying carpet and lining trim
- Performing a final cleanup and inspection to prepare the home for its new residents
Moving Into Your New Home
When Will My New Modular Home Be Ready?
After your new home is installed, it will likely be 6–8 weeks before it is ready to move in, although it could take as long as 6 months or more, depending on contractor scheduling and utility company timelines. Even after the above checklist is completed, your home will need to have a final inspection, and newly hooked-up utilities, such as water and electricity, will need to be activated.
When Can I Tour My New Modular Home?
The staff at Clayton Homes of Grand Rapids will be almost as excited as you are for your new home to be ready. We will be in regular contact with the installation crew to keep track of the finalization process and move-in timeline. As the stages progress, we will let you know when the home is safe and ready for a tour.
Once the installers are ready for you to tour your new home, you will have the chance to perform a final inspection. Feel free to flip all the switches, open all the cabinets, test the outlets, run the faucets, and try out the smoke detector. Look for any issues that may have come up during the transportation and installation process. It’s a good idea to come prepared with your own checklist to make sure you feel confident and comfortable that you have performed a full inspection to your satisfaction. You can also have a third-party inspector perform their own analysis if you choose.
The Move-In Process
After you’ve finished the tour, performed your own inspection, and signed the final paperwork, the keys to the house are yours. Congratulations! It’s time to move into your new home. If you have any follow-up questions over the coming weeks or months, feel free to contact the staff at Clayton Homes of Grand Rapids.
Discover Your Dream Home with Clayton Homes of Grand Rapids
Are you ready to start exploring affordable modular housing from Clayton Homes of Grand Rapids? Call us at (616) 534-3400, or send us a message. If you want to see a model of one of our homes in person, then schedule a tour at a time that works best for you!