Prefab/Modular Home Prices - Costs for 20 US Firms (2012)
Source: Blu Homes
Prefabricated (prefab or modular) homes used to be associated with ugly, cookie-cutter models that sacrificed style and individuality in favor of a McDonald's-like consistency. Times have changed. Nowadays, prefab homes have a stunning array of customization options, and are more likely to be associated with world-class contemporary design than big-box mediocrity.
But how much do prefab homes cost? As you might expect, prices vary depending on the type of design, and the range of installed features. A cutting-edge design is going to cost considerably more than designs without as much flourish, and high-end, professional grade appliances will run you higher than standard ones. As you'll see in the chart and photos below, some prefab home manufacturers are clearly carving out the high end for themselves, and might only be marginally less expensive than houses built directly on the home's foundation. Others seek to limit choices and design extravagances in favor of economy.
Average Price Range
I took a look at 20 companies that sell contemporary prefab homes, and the prices broke down depending on whether the company is involved in the fabrication phase only, or if it's also involved in the delivery and/or construction phase, as well.
- Fabrication only: around $100-150 per square foot on average
- Fabrication, Delivery, and Assembly: around $200-250 per square foot on average
A true apple-to-apple cost comparison is difficult, because there are numerous additional expenses, some of which are covered in some companies' estimates, and not in others'. These include design, engineering, architecture, and utility hookup costs. None of the companies cover the cost of permitting, inspections, or foundations (if needed).
A table of cost and lead time information is below. Beneath that, I've put pictures and costs of these vendors' designs, prices they're advertising as of 2012.
Company | Location | Approx cost per sq ft | Design focus | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alchemy Architects (weeHouses) | St. Paul, MN | $127-180 | 4 basic formats (Studio, Pair, Tall, Four Square) - numerous color/material/appliance options. Custom designs also available. | 6-9 months total (standard); 9+ (custom) |
Anderson Anderson Architecture | San Francisco, CA | $140+ plus installation | sustainable, modular design (including the 1100-sqft, $150,000 B-House, and the two-story Menlo Park House | 5+ months |
Asul | Phoenix, AZ | $125-200 | Customized components around steel-frame Adaptable System core. | 4-6 months for construction |
Blu Homes | Waltham, MA | $64-189 for completed homes | Seven contemporary designs, from small, simple Origin ($64/sqft) to two-story family home Evolution ($189/sqft) | 6-11 weeks for manufacturing, delivery & installation |
Davis Studio A+D (pieceHomes) | Los Angeles, CA | $185 for construction, $30 for engr/permits, $225-250 for premium | wide range of standard designs, including the 320-sqft "320" to the 4-bed, 3-bath "2250" and premium designs. Additional units like guest houses and extensions also available. | 4-7 months total (non-custom) |
E-Space Systems | Inglewood, CA | approx. $200 | 3-size range, from 100-sqft Mini Ten Ten, to 400-sqft Mini Twenty Twenty | n/a |
Garrison Architects | New York, NY | $200-250 | green, net-zero energy buildings (including the Red Hook Green, and 1500-sqft, $304,000 NZ99 [Net Zero for the 99%]) | 4-6 months to manufacture |
Hive Modular | Minneapolis, MN | $185+ build cost | Six lines based on general geometries (1 Canada-only), countless configurations; custom designs available ~15% of construction costs | 4 months |
ideabox | Salem, OR | $93-212 (320 for floating "Drift" model) | 8 models, from the simple and inexpensive "Cube" to the largest (1470 sqft) Confluence3. Also sell Ikea-branded "Aktiv" ($86,500 - 745 sqft) | 8 weeks for site work |
Jenesys Buildings (Cabin Fever) | Miami, FL | $75-100 | Focus on "micro-housing"; 4 series with size SML size variants. Office/general purpose & studio/efficiency packages; Shells+Plus for DIYers | 12-19 weeks |
kitHAUS | Van Nuys, CA | $207-250 | Small (100-289 sq ft), simple, single-room, self-contained units. Aluminum construction, insulated wall panels. | 6-8 weeks for manufacturing & delivery |
LivingHomes | Santa Monica, CA | $220-245 | Eleven styles, configurable by buyer. Elaborate, contemporary designs by 2 architects. Most styles include decking. | 46 weeks (standard) - 54 weeks (custom) |
MA Modular | Austin, TX | $140+ base price | Nine standard, plus semi-custom and custom designs (1-3 bedroom). Touts relatively low price vs competition | 6 months beginning to end |
Method Homes | Seattle, WA | $130-200 prefab only | Seven series, including the wood-heavy Cabin Series, to the triangle-based HOMB Series. Several architectural firms & styles. | approx 2 months for delivery & installation |
Minarc (mnmMOD) | Los Angeles, CA | $255 plus transportation | kit-based mixed-media units, incorporating recyclable materials; net-zero energy | n/a |
Proto Homes | Los Angeles, CA | $210+ | wide range of sizes (Tiny to X-Large); iPad integration for home control and monitoring; modular units built around central "Core | 3-5 months (location dependent) |
Rocio Romero (LV Series) | St. Louis, MO | $120-195 (DIYers $87, high-end $250) | Seven modular kits with different dimensions and exterior treatments; contractor or DIY ready | avg 3-6 months for delivery & construction |
Sander Architects | Los Angeles, CA | $225+ | 2000-sqft minimum, custom-designed homes using a steel backbone; ideal client has large space requirements and unique design vision | 15+ months for design & construction |
Tumbleweed Tiny House Company | Sebastopol, CA | $110-180 (build yourself), $250-415 (assembled in Northern Calif) | dozens of small-footprint models, can come assembled (Northern California, no cottages), in a kit, or just the plans ($17 to $649) | 3-4 months for completed home delivered |
Turkel Design (Lindal Cedar) | Cambridge, MA | $225-350 | Nine designs, 1700-3000 sqft. Ecofriendly designs, including LEED certification, renewable energy features. | 8 months manufacturing, delivery & assembly |
Source: weeHouse
Source: Anderson Anderson Architecture
Source: Blu Homes
Source: pieceHomes
Source: Hive Modular
Source: ideabox
Source: Jenesys Buildings/Cabin Fever
Source: kitHAUS
Source: LivingHomes
Source: MA Modular
Source: Method Homes
Source: Proto Homes
Source: Rocio Romero
Source: Tumbleweed Tiny House Company