TIPS AND CHECKLIST – YOUR GUIDE TO BUYING A MODULAR HOME IN NORTH CAROLINA (NC) AND VIRGINIA (VA)
Purchasing a new modular home is a substantial investment decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s important to take the time to learn everything you can about modular homes and even more essential that you properly research your modular home builder, before making any commitment to buy.
Working with a reputable, professional and experienced local builder will not only guarantee the build quality of your new home but it will also ensure your peace of mind through the sales, build and delivery process.
Before purchasing a new modular home in the North Carolina or Virginia area be make sure you are dealing with:
- A Licensed Builder
- A Certified Energy Star Home Builder
- A Builder Accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- It’s fast and free and you can check online
- A Builder with a Class A Contractor License
Before embarking on the modular home buying process it’s also best you:
- Get pre-approved and stick to your budget
- Get copies of all contracts and agreements prior to signing
- Be clear on additional costs and associated delays for changes or added services
- Don’t act as your own general contractor, unless you have industry experience
TIPS AND CHECKLIST FOR BUYING A MODULAR HOME IN NORTH CAROLINA (NC) AND VIRGINIA (VA):
Being prepared can save you both time and money, and ensure the build quality of your new home.
We’ve asked our industry experts to give us their top tips and advice for anyone looking to buy a new modular home and this is what they had to say:
- To ensure your modular home is optimized for energy efficiency go with a Certified Energy Star Home Builder. This means the builder is committed to providing you with an energy efficient home and an accredited third party will inspect your home and verify it’s energy efficiency before awarding it an Energy Star Seal.
- Before deciding to purchase a modular home, make sure you are working with a Licensed Builder.
- Take the time to check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure you know who you are committing to buy your home from and how reputable they are. It’s fast and free to check online.
- To ensure the best build quality for your new home and for your own peace of mind, it pays to work with a Class A Contractor. There are different grades of contractor licenses: A Class A Contractor License is the industry’s highest.
- It’s best to get pre-approved for a loan amount that you know you are comfortable with before you begin shopping for a new home and once you are, stay within your budget.
- Always ask for copies of all contracts and agreements that are part of the sales process ahead of time, so that you are clear on all the terms and conditions and what is and isn’t included in the agreed price and make sure you get everything in writing.
- Be sure to allow enough time initially to consider the best layout and design that works best with your lifestyle and family requirements and make sure these are reflected in any design or layout changes you wish to make to your home. Discuss these in detail with your builder and make sure that you are clear on the additional cost and any extra time delays associated with making these changes.
- Make any design changes in one go before the construction process begins to avoid long expensive delays.
- If you don’t have first-hand building industry management experience it’s not advisable to act as your own general contractor. You need to be familiar with all the legalities, planning, building codes and regulations. You also need to be aware of all the liabilities, especially with regard to working with different subcontractors. Be sure you do a thorough risk assessment before you consider taking on such a huge and stressful role.
It’s also important that you create your own list of specific requirements; priorities and questions so that you can get all the information you need and are clear on any additional costs and potential time delays from the very beginning.
If you have specific questions or would like any more tips, information or industry expert advice on buying a modular home in North Carolina or Virginia, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help.
