Building a home is not that easy, but we can help. The average cost of building a home in the US in 2020 was $309,719, an average of $298,432 in 2021. But, again, these prices may vary depending on the type of custom home you desire. I don’t know if you’re concerned about this, but in most cases, people go far over their initial estimated cost as the process continues. So, if you want less expensive, sustainable options for affordable homes on a fixed budget fixed, then a prefab modular home would be a perfect fit.
Although there are many spendy options in the prefab world, we have listed the best affordable prefab homes where every penny is worth it. So, let’s start researching your new home-
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Benefits of Prefab Homes
A prefab or prefabricated home is built offsite in an industry or factory and then shipped in parts to the building site. This ensures minimum environmental pollution while manufacturing the house.
Lesser Waste
When constructing a site, you’ll need different parts and materials on the construction site. Unfortunately, these are most often stolen, damaged or wasted.
On the other hand, it is very easy to calculate the material required for constructing a prefab home since the same formula is used for each category. This means that the prefab manufacturing process requires less waste than the traditional building process, as there are no risks of materials getting stolen or damaged.
Durability
Not every house can withstand the long journey of shipping. That is why prefab homes use extra materials to reinforce the house firmly so they are ready for delivery without damage. Therefore, they are entirely more durable than traditionally constructed homes.
Minimum Construction Time
When the construction site is ready to build traditional homes, the prefab home will already be prepared. We know that the weather is an essential factor when building a house.
Since the prefab building process is carried out indoors, there are no risks of weather delaying the construction process. According to the National Association of Home Builders, prefab projects are completed within five months, and sometimes, the smaller projects are done in 60 days!
Lower Average Permit Value
The National Association of Home Builders states, “average permit value of $76.80 per square foot versus $94.34 for site-built.” According to Paul Emrath, vice president of the NAHB, the average permit value is more valuable than the price.
15 Affordable and Sustainable Homes for 2021
Bluhomes Origin 1900
This manufacturing company offers a variety of homes, including mid-century modern design options. Bluhomes provides 3 bedrooms and 203 baths in 1900 sq feet. There are many other options, including turning one of the bedrooms into a rentable unit. They follow green guidelines so that there is no impact on the environment.
LivingHomes C6.2
LivingHome’s two-bedroom, two-bath C6.2 is a compact model appropriate for a narrow lot. However, it provides plenty of space for outdoor mobility at an affordable price.
The eight-corner layout of LivingHomes provides more visual interest than rectangular models. In addition, it combines a clean, modern design with LEED platinum-level certification. You can have an overview of the house’s design here.
Method Homes – M Series
Though most prefab homes are ready-made, Method Homes is a custom manufacturer of precision engineered homes that provide modern prefab homes. They aim to achieve green building certifications like LEED, Living Building Challenge, Passive House, etc.
Method’s M series is the most affordable selection of prefab homes. These homes offer various interior and exterior finish options suitable for any site.
Titan Park Cabo Tiny Home
If you’re short on space, this would be a good option. However, the Titan Park Cabo Home’s 1 bed, 1 bath, 399 sq/ft home feels much more spacious inside than it feels.
Moreover, they include external features like a covered front porch, a modern mono-sloped roof, and ample storage space. Therefore, if you’re living alone or with one or two, opt for Tiny homes as they are sustainable and affordable.
IdeaBox – Sage House
Ideabox has endless designs and possibilities you cannot cover watching. Manufacturers at Idea Box are design experts who build prefab affordable homes to create cost-effective, sustainable, and precision housing.
Each home is designed with eco-friendly bamboo flooring and energy-efficient construction to ensure sustainability. IdeaBosx’s Sage House is a spacious home measuring 1,014 sq. ft. and featuring two bedrooms.
Though the Sage House isn’t big, it’s not small. Two large glass doors open the whole house and make it bright during the daytime, so you don’t need light bulbs.
Moreover, two large bedrooms are opposite each other with simple wall openings. Therefore, this would be perfect for a large family living in a smaller space.
EcoCraft Homes – EcoMod
Though EcoCraft uses prefab techniques, all its affordable homes use custom design formulas. Using intelligent modular prefabrication, its houses are constructed with unparalleled craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Moreover, they use resource-efficient methods, which cause only 5% waste. On the other hand, traditional construction methods produce more than 25% material waste.
These extremely energy-efficient homes use some smart home technologies and high-performance insulation. EcoCraft homes are suitable and adaptable for any spot and blend with nature after they’re installed.
Bamboo Living Homes Pacific 992
Bamboo Living Affordable Homes are the first and only code-certified permissible bamboo structures worldwide. They design beautiful prefab homes and buildings for people all over the world.
Bamboo Living’s architect and design team can deliver you the perfect custom house. Using a qualified team, bamboo living packages are ready for shipping in just a few days.
These houses will fit you perfectly if you live in a storm-prone area. Bamboo Living Homes are designed to withstand catastrophic situations without any damage. For instance, their homes survived a hurricane with 173 mph winds!
Are you worried about Bamboo Living’s service life? All their buildings are made to ensure a lifetime of safety and provide a 20-year structural warranty. In addition, all their timber grade and supporting materials provide clean indoor air quality.
Greenfab 1200 Series
Greenfab produces highly efficient, sustainable and affordable homes that anyone can afford. Their prefab buildings are constructed using modular construction, CLT panels, and other innovative construction methods.
Greenfab helps you plan based on your land, budget, and climatic conditions. They offer custom homes as well as pre-designed options. They are available 24/7 and can be contacted from anywhere in the world.
The 1200 Series is a blend of a spacious and elegant house that gives you the courtyard look. Even with a small footprint, you can get 3 bedrooms.
Clever Homes Custom Prefabs
Clever Homes is quite unique compared to other home designers. They combine prefab and modular techniques with custom designs to create the affordable homes you dream about.
Their primary aim is to create green and sustainable homes with eco-friendly technologies. However, they also design many off-the-grid homes. They use prefabricated and modular building strategies to make the best sustainable home for your purpose.
Go Home by Go Logic
Affordable Homes by Go Logic provide a more traditional aesthetic dwelling that can be prepared in just two weeks! Yes, you saw that right. Go Logic’s portfolio ranges from a 600-square-foot, single-bedroom cottage to a 2,300-square-foot, four-bedroom family home.
The Go Logic home is a super-insulated, air-sealed building shell designed to use 80% less energy than conventional houses, even in the Northeast! Thus, it offers sustainability and energy efficiency in one.
Ecocor Passive Houses
Ecocor affordable homes are super energy efficient. They are dedicated to providing eco-friendly, affordable homes with minimum waste. They build their designs and work with owner-builders to create the healthiest and most energy-efficient dwellings.
From design to construction of Ecocoer houses, they follow eco-friendly methods to leave minimum waste and construct your ideal house without causing any impact on the environment. They provide you, 11 models to choose from with various exteriors.
Ark Shelter
Ark Shelter was founded by Belgian architecture students who wanted to reinvent how people live. These houses are highly energy-efficient, sustainable, and affordable homes.
What’s inside the house:
- A built-in platform bed joining a large picture window to enjoy the view from your bed
- A fireplace
- Table for two
- Full kitchen
- Bathroom
Moreover, the floor-to-ceiling windows on one side of the structure save a lot of electricity bills, as they let in natural sunlight and preserve the house’s beauty.
Also, these prefab homes come fully furnished, from appliances to kitchen utensils. So you get the complete home package at once, and it can be practically installed anywhere. Yes, this is as simple as it sounds.
weeHouse by Alchemy
The weeHouse was initiated to create affordable homes with sustainable design principles. Alchemy architects can help you design your home by combining a playful design process. Their construction projects prioritize building strategies that produce less waste and are sustainable.
Their architects work with sustainable experts to make your house eco-friendly using solar, geothermal, green roofs, and other alternatives.
This weeHouse ranges from 450 to 2,000 square feet, and the interior includes steel/wooden siding, low-glass, stainless steel appliances and an in-floor hydronic heating method.
Deltec Homes Classic
Deltec Homes helps you achieve your desired living space with sustainable features. Each home is prepared in a factory with 100% renewable energy, so you don’t need to worry about the environmental impact.
The round structure of Deltec homes lets the outdoors in, making them perfect for vacations. The classic Deltec home has two bedrooms and two bathrooms and requires 2,075 square feet of space.
Deltec homes provide a wide range of space options, starting from 328 square feet to 2,434, 4,340, and 5,756 square feet. Thus, you can select your ideal Deltec home based on your space opportunities.
Solaleya Pearl
The Pearl is a wonderful choice of affordable homes if you live in an open space or if you like to enjoy nature from your bed. Its design formula utilizes passive solar techniques and aerodynamic shape. Most importantly, it is earthquake-resistant and can withstand adverse weather and storms.
The structure of this house was designed considering the sun’s daily and yearly course. It is optimized to stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
This provides a highly energy-efficient home; you don’t need extra appliances to keep the house cool. Moreover, they have design plans ranging from 300 to 4,900 square feet with customizing options.
Good Signs and Red Flags
Now that you have the expert prefab manufacturers and architects list, you should also learn to choose the suitable option. Here’s what to look for when working with an architect or manufacturer-
Age of the Company
The first thing you should notice is the company’s age. This shouldn’t be their first project. If possible, look for houses at least ten years old. They need to be on the B business platform (in the future) to honor the warranties.
Our recommendation based on the company’s age is Ecocor and Go Logic.
Expert Team
A company without building science experts or architects should be investigated more carefully. Who will be in charge of your project and how experienced they are should be found out.
Fortunately, all the companies mentioned above have an expert team and architects. They prepare your project without any environmental impact and give you a sustainable piece of work.
Imperfections
While you should expect minor changes in the project, major design flaws are a serious red flag. Therefore, work with the company as a consultant to get your home just as you want.
Company Background
If possible, contact someone who recently worked with the company. Learn about the company’s project management and the number of imperfections (if any).
If the company is disorganized and the project manager cannot coordinate them well enough, that’s a red flag. This is a common problem seen with prefabs.
How to Handle Chemical Sensitivity
Ensure you have control over the finishes that go well with your environment. You should have control over
- Floor types
- All wood finishes
- All sealers
- Few glues
- Shower System
- Cabinet Company
- Countertops
Elements that are sometimes fixed after complete work are likely- insulation, framing type, flashing tapes, house wraps etc. It is better not to mess with window and door framing materials. Moreover, with most companies, you can choose siding and roofing types.
How to Handle Mold Sensitivities
- The prefab design is the most fundamental part of the project. So be careful about the design.
- Inspection of the factory is essential. If possible, seek information on where they keep their materials.
- Bring your architect on board as a consultant. He will make the necessary calls for you.
- You would need an excellent builder for the project.
- You need the supervision of all the parts built.
- Know which party is taking responsibility for the party if it goes wrong.
Though the companies mentioned above are highly cautious about their project, and there are almost no errors, it is better to take precautionary measures.
Conclusion
Now that you have the list of sustainable home builders, you can choose the right builder and have your desired home. However, if you are not an expert on this issue, bring your architect or HVAC consultant to review the system. Almost every option and exception can be taken care of. So don’t worry about your space, environment, weather conditions etc. Prefab and modular homes are much better than conventional homes in terms of environmental waste. So, help reduce waste and save the environment.