Construction Reinvented.
Where are all the modular homes in western U.S.?
Can anyone explain to me why modulars are so common back east but nearly unheard of out here on the west coast? I guess there are some manufacturers ow but very few and far between. Its changing but slowly. How did this happen and why? Does anyone see this changing more rapidly in the near future? Drives me nuts! I'm envious of builders back east. I know about the Michelle Kaufman thing and a few others beginning to show up, but they are very expensive. Where are the manufacturers that build a product for $50-$80 per square foot like the ones back east?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by ErgoDesk on -
John, here in the West we invented Modular and the East ran on the idea. Instead of improving on the trend we started offering 2x3 inch stud walls at 10 times the price per sq. ft. and guess where that went......
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Permalink Reply by Gravitas Design on -
John,
There are quite a few modular, or systems built companies in the west. We design a lot of modular homes in the west and especially in snow country. It's a short building season and labor is (was) expensive, that makes it a perfect environment for modular construction. Granted, its not the $50-$80 that you speak of, I don't know if that exists, but it is pretty prevalent in the west.
Derek
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Permalink Reply by John Gretzinger on -
Grasvitas,
Seems like maybe you don't know about the back east thing. Modulars are huge back east. Maybe 20% of the market! Many even less than $50 a ft. Great designs, wonderful variety. Just look at the ads in the back of Building Systems Mag. Northeast, New England is huge, Southeast, even some into the eastern midwest. Then it runs out of steam almost completely. Out west? A fairly new manufacturer in Colorado, tiny one in Utah building maybe 3 homes a year. There is Genesis who claims to be nationwide but really only sell HUD stuff on the west coast. I'm from L.A. and now live in OR. Believe me, there is nothing. There is one down in L.A. that is over $300 a ft. ridiculous. I'm a builder. Do you know what I could do with $300 a foot? Where are the well-designed, fairly priced (must be way cheaper than site built) modulars on the west coast? A few panelized outfits and a shitload of SIP's. That's it. I'm not trying to be argumentative Gravitas, but I haven't seen what you are talking about.
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Permalink Reply by John Gretzinger on
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Oh I forgot. Gueardon Homes in Boise. They are a former manufactured home manufacturer recently getting into modular. And that's exactly what they look like if you know what I mean. They's got the costs right but their designs look like they were doing HUD stuff 4 years ago. In fact they just stopped doing HUD like a minute ago.
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Permalink Reply by Charles Bevier on -
I disagree strongly. They have won design awards for their structures, several years running.
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Permalink Reply by John Gretzinger on
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OK. Sorry. I didn't mean to say I was negative about Guerdon at all. They are heading in the right direction and should be commended. Not bad at all. But, we're still not talking about the vast difference between east and west in US.
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Permalink Reply by Mark A. Wilson on -
John,
I share your sentiments and at the same time remain optimistic about the future of modular construction here in the west. About a year ago I moved from Boulder, CO, where I was involved in the design and sales of modular log homes on a national level, to Coeur d'Alene, ID to begin work as a Territory Sales Manager for Stratford Building Corporation. My sales region is OR, WA and AK. Being an idealist by nature, I assumed that site builders would quickly form a line to get signed up with us once they knew how we could help them. Instead I quickly learned that most people in this region, consumers and builders alike, had preconceived notions of modular as, basically, well built trailers. It has been an interesting process in learning how to help them understand that we are building high quality custom homes, and in a smarter way. The good news is that we are here for those builders that are interested. We have completed over 1,100 IBC compliant single and multi-family projects, as well as light commercial, throughout the Northwestern U.S. and Western Canada. I agree with Charles that Guerdon is doing a fine job with their design and are making big inroads into multi-family development in the West. Also, Transform opened a state of the art facility near Mt. Vernon, WA and are also enjoying success in multi-family development. Details is also a new player near Sacramento and there are some smaller operations starting to show up a well. If you would like more information about Stratford specifically, you can do so at a site that I designed to educate builders and developers about the benefits of this method - www.StratfordBuild.net. I am excited about the future of modular in the pacific northwest and am starting to see greater awareness and receptivity, particularly in the Seattle area. There are some high profile modular projects happening now and more on the horizon. We just have to keep the faith and keep educating.
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Permalink Reply by John Gretzinger on
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Thanks, Mark. That's just the kind of reply that I was hoping for. Did you work for the one in Colo? I think they are in Berthoud, up by Ft. Collins. I think they are called BarVista or something like that.
The only thing I've got against Stratford is about 5 years ago they shunned me. They had this stupid system where you have to jump through some hoops just to get to buy their products. I was new in OR. and my license was new here. I had been a General Contractor in CA. for years. Oh, and the other thing. My business plan. I'm a builder....I don't know how to write a business plan. I told them I wanted to try a couple. Build them. Sell the. Make money. Seems pretty straight forward to me. That wasn't "la di da" enough for them. They absolutely refused to sell me their products, said I hadn't been in bus. long enough. Well, f%#k that! You don't want to sell me your products? Fine.
Guerdon isn't like that at all. I might try them yet. I will also look into the others you mentioned. Anyway, thanks for your reply. Hope you can make Stratford more builder-friendly. They even made me pay for a background check! I think it was $500! Like my background is any of their gd business. Thanks for reminding me how pissed and insulted I still am. Idiots!
John G.
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Permalink Reply by Randy Esposito on -
John,
If a company asked for any of that information to be a builder for them.... goodbye! They need builders right now more than anything else. A good modular company knows that the builders bring in the business.
The $50 a foot, is that a delivered price? Surely not total construction out here in the east.. Runs about $120 a foot for total construction cost here in CT.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Guindon on -
Hi John,
I was interested in your comments as I worked for Stratford for over fifteen years and am now representing Guerdon. I would love to have a discussion with you. I have a good understanding of each company, their strong points and their weak ones. My phone number is 208-755-3841 and email is mguind@gmail.com.
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Permalink Reply by Mauris Green on -
Hi, i have not too much idea about it.
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Permalink Reply by John Gretzinger on
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Hey, Mark,
I made those comments about your new company over a month ago. Aren't you even going to reply? My guess is Stratford is still happy to alienate builders with their stupid process as they were a few years ago. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Otherwise, have a nice time on your way to the poorhouse. The shoe's kind of on the other foot now, isn't it? You couldn't get a builder now if you paid us! How many homes have you built in the last 3 months, Big Shots?
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