View Slideshow of Stratford Home being set.
Modular home building production is considerably faster in a controlled plant environment when compared to a typical "site-built" project, for a variety of reasons:
1. Material is constantly being supplied where it is needed, when it is needed, so the line workers just build and don't spend time carrying boards and looking for the right piece of material.
2. The line stations are specialized, so the tradesmen building floors, for example, just build floors. They become much more proficient in their particular job, and production efficiency increases.
3. Production delays due to rain, snow, wind, or cold are non-existent.
4. All facets of the framing process occur simultaneously, so while the floor crews complete the floor, the wall crews are finishing the interior and exterior walls, and at the same time, the roof assembly is completed in another area. With efficient use of overhead cranes, all the components are brought together and assembled in a very short period of time.
5. Although times can vary due to the complexity of the project, a typical two section modular building is ready to deliver approximately 15-18 working days after material is delivered to the plant floor.
6. Most importantly, while the building is going through the engineering and manufacturing phase, the site is prepared, foundations installed, necessary utilities are run. So, the moment the building is completed, it can be delivered to the site and made ready for occupancy, sometimes in a matter of days. Occupancy can be recognized months ahead of conventional construction.
Quality
Quality is monitored by a strict in-house quality control process that takes place at every stage of production and is backed by an independent State Inspector who visits the plant on nearly a daily basis to check and approve the work. In addition, the overall quality of your new home is maintained by incorporating many well known brand name products. Finally, the kiln dried lumber starts out dry in the plant and stays dry throughout the entire construction process. No module is moved outside of the production facility until it has been wrapped, which means shrinking and warping potential will be much less than what can occur when building at the site.
Ruggedness
Because homes are often shipped great distances, framing methods exceed the requirements of the UBC and IBC building codes. In fact, it is estimated that up to 15% more framing material goes into a modular building when compared to a similar site-built structure, and these rugged features stay with the building once it is placed on the foundation.