Questions We Love To Answer

QUESTIONS:
What is a modular home?
What are the benefits of modular construction?
Why should I buy a modular home instead of a “stick-built” or site constructed home?
How do homes built by Customized Structures differ from stick-built homes?
How is CSI different from every other modular home company?
Do you only build single family homes?
Do you have more plans than there are on the website?
Can I make changes to existing plans?
How long does it take to build and deliver my home?
How is my home delivered to my site?
How long does it take to finish my home?
Can you help the physically challenged?
Are there any code issues that we have to be concerned with?
How do I find a local builder and do I have to work with them?
How much do your homes cost?
Can I get an Energy Star rating on my home?
Where can I see a Customized Structure?
Is it possible to tour the factory?

What is a modular home? (top)
A modular home is a highly engineered method of construction. Sections of the home, or modules, are built inside the controlled environment of a factory to the most exacting standards. When the sections are completed, they are transported to the site and placed on your foundation. Homes and buildings can be anywhere from 2 modules to 50 or more modules.

What are the benefits of modular construction? (top)
· Speed of Construction- each module is constructed within the controlled environment of our factory. There are no delays due to weather, subcontractor no-shows or missing materials.

· Construction Efficiency- modules are built in an assembly line fashion with highly trained craftsmen working on each portion of the home. This method provides consistent, quality construction, generating very little waste of costly building materials.

· Strength- all modules are engineered and built to all applicable state, local and national codes and are constructed specifically to withstand the stress of being transported to the building site.

· Modern Technology- Customized Structures uses the latest in materials and technology to design an energy efficient, high quality home.

· Cost Savings- The speed of modular construction saves costly interest payments on the construction loan, while also minimizing on-site labor as well as material pilferage.

· Customization- Customized Structures designs each home to reflect the wants, needs, lifestyle and budget of each individual customer.

Why should I buy a modular home instead of a “stick-built” or site constructed home? (top)
A very easy analogy to draw is the one between the home you’re building and the automobile you drive. You’d never think of calling Detroit or Japan and asking a big automaker to ship you all the parts for a car so that your mechanic could put it together in your backyard. You want your vehicle built in a controlled environment by experienced people, with engineers on site and continual testing and quality control being done.

A car will lose value over the life of it, which may be four or five years and is a small investment compared with what you could be spending on your home. Your home, on the other hand, may be worth anywhere from five to twenty times the cost of the car. Your home will gain in value and becomes, potentially, a very significant part of your net worth. Doesn’t it make sense to have it built under the same type of conditions as your automobile? We build your dream inside our factory, in a controlled environment, where the materials we use are never subjected to water or snow damage and we never lose time when New England weather sends the site builders home. We have engineers on site and have vigorous quality control standards for every house we build.

How do homes built by Customized Structures differ from “stick-built” homes? (top)
Homes built by Customized Structures differ from “stick-built” homes primarily in cost, convenience and energy efficiency. We are “stick-building” your home using the same materials and following the same building codes as site construction, but we’re doing it in a controlled environment. Our purchasing power, based on the volume of homes we build, saves you money. The short time it takes to build and complete your home on site reduces the amount of interest you pay on your construction loan, also saving you money. We do not lose any construction days due to weather and there is virtually no theft of building materials from the site because your home is secured on the day it is delivered.

Because we’re working inside, we can maintain the comfort of our workers and maintain a high standard for the quality of the finished product. This controlled environment allows us the opportunity to do extra things to improve the quality of your home like caulking each electrical outlet to prevent air infiltration and backing the seams in the sheetrock with sheathing to give it greater strength.

You cannot see the difference between site constructed home and modular homes. Banks and mortgage brokers make no distinction when you apply for financing, and resale values for comparable homes are the same.

How is Customized Structures different from every other modular home company?
(top)
Good question! There are many similarities between companies but we have two differences that set us apart. First are the people who design and build your home. An old-fashioned work ethic still prevails here in the western part of New Hampshire. The company is good to the workers and in return the company has the loyalty and dedication of the employees. Many who work here have been here since the company started over twenty years ago. Each employee at Customized Structures strives to create a quality product for you.

Second are the innovation, creativity and adaptability of the systems building approach that we take. We don’t just build modules. We incorporate panelized construction, at times, to make a plan work for the new homeowner and for the local builder. That’s why when you look at some of our standard homes you see reverse gables, decks, porches, garages and more. These are the things that give your home a distinctive look; the things that make you smile and say “I really love my home.”

Do you only build single family homes? (top)
No, we also build multi family condominiums, apartments, duplexes and structures for commercial use. Contact Us to talk about how we can accommodate your request.

Do you have more plans than there are on the website? (top)
Yes, we have many more plans than those shown here on our website. Contact Us to request your free CD brochure featuring over 300 additional plans with various styles.

Can I make changes to existing plans or start from scratch? (top)
Absolutely! It is rare that we ever build a home from a stock plan that has no changes. In fact, the great majority of the homes we build are one of a kind, designed and built for one individual or family. See our Modular Photo Gallery for ideas or our Modular Plans Portfolio for inspiration.

How long does it take to build and deliver my home? (top)
The actual time on the production line is usually 5 to 7 days, depending on the size and complexity of the home we have designed for you. Delivery is usually 1-2 weeks after that depending on the readiness of the building site.

The important question really is ‘how long does it take for my home to reach the production line’. That number changes from day to day, depending on the number of orders in our production backlog. The ideal time for both of us would probably be 8 to 10 weeks. During particularly busy periods, a heavy backlog or orders or availability of special materials for your home could influence the delivery time. Please remember that the more involved in the process you are and the faster we receive changes or approved plans, the faster we can get your home built.

How is my Customized Structure delivered to my site? (top)
Your home is delivered in modules via company owned tractor trailer to sites throughout New England. In addition, Customized Structures will take care of all logistics relating to the set of the home including the crane and set crew. This helps to ensure the quality of the product from building in our factory through shipping the home and setting the modules on site.

How long does it take to complete my home? (top)
We find that on average for a single family ranch home it takes 2 to 3 weeks to complete the work necessary after the home is set. Larger, more complicated homes will take more time. Please keep in mind that timing is subject to scheduling by your builder/dealer.

Can you help the physically challenged? (top)
Yes, if there is a need, there is a way to satisfy it. We have been helping solve accessibility and convenience problems for the physically challenged for years and will continue to do so.

Are there any code issues that we have to be concerned with? (top)
None. Your home is built to meet or exceed the prevailing codes in your area, no matter where you live in New England. Each module receives a seal, affixed by an independent third party engineering firm that assures your local building inspector and any state agencies involved, that the home has been built correctly. Occasionally, a local municipality may have adopted an addition to the normal codes. In that case it is the responsibility of the local builder to make us aware of the change.

How do I find a local builder and do I have to work with them or can I buy direct? (top)
Simply Contact Us and we will be glad to put you in touch with a professional in the geographic area in which you wish to build. Customized Structures, Inc. is a wholesale manufacturer of modular components that sells its products to residential builders and dealers of modular systems from whom you buy your new home. Our builders are independent contractors who are not employees or agents of Customized Structures, Inc. Most states require a licensed builder to be involved in the on-site construction of your home. He or she can take you from the permitting process right through the final bank inspection and occupancy permit.

How much do your homes cost per square foot? (top)
Unfortunately, we can't answer that question and we don't know anyone who can until there is a lot more information about your specific home. The cost per square foot is dependent on all of the following and more: site conditions (soil, trees, length of driveway, well or septic, etc.), size of the home, size of the foundation,· type of heating and/or cooling, number of bathrooms and type of fixtures, size of the kitchen and quality of the cabinets & counters, number, efficiency and brand of windows, type of flooring, chimneys and/or fireplaces, type of steps and/or decks, etc., etc., etc.  Depending on the answers to those questions, the costs can vary significantly. If you shop for a home based solely on a per square foot cost, you may not end up with the home you want or thought you were buying. If your real question is "are we competitive?" Absolutely, positively, unequivocally.

Can I get an Energy Star rating on my home? (top)
Yes you can. With a couple of simple changes being made in the factory portion of the building process, you will be ready for the Energy Star. To ensure the Energy Star rating, there are also a number of things that the local builder must do.

Where can I see a Customized Structure? (top)
First browse through our Modular Photo Gallery to see a variety of finished buildings. Then Contact Us to talk about how you can wake up in your very own Customized Structure every morning.

Is it possible to tour the factory? (top)
Not only is it possible, we encourage it! There is no better way to get a true picture of all the extra steps we take in building your home. Simply call your local builder or Contact Us to schedule your visit. The factory is open Monday through Friday for tours from 8:00am to 2:00pm. Please note that we discourage bringing small children on tours.