| Manufactured Homes and Sheds |
 |
 |
|
The term mobile home is used less often these days in deference to more graceful terms such as prefabricated, modular, and manufactured homes. Actually, these all fall under the general category of manufactured homes. A manufactured home is a house that is constructed in a factory, and which meets federal guidelines and safety standards (HUD Code). They can include modular homes that are transported to the site in pieces and then assembled on-site; panelized homes, constructed in panels (e.g., wall and roof), and then transported and pieced together on-site; pre-cuts, which are essentially kits transported to and assembled on-site; and mobile homes, which are constructed entirely in the factory and then transported to the site. These homes go for between $18,000 to $180,000. A single-wide dwelling with 600 to 800 square feet of floor space can cost as little as $21,000. A nice double-wide might cost twice that. Check the used and repo market too. The cost, of course, doesn't include the land it will sit on, but the savings you realize could be enough to convert the house to a substantial dwelling that could take you completely off the grid. For those on a tiny budget or with more transient plans, a prebuilt shed might be just what you're looking for. Sheds come in any stage imaginable, from total preconstruction to kits, in steel, vinyl, wood, and plastic, and are usually placed on a pre-cut wooden floor or a concrete foundation. Between $1,000 to $4,000 will set you up in a shed with at least 288 square feet of living space. Take the money you save by not buying that mobile home and finish the shed with double walls, insulation, running water and a kitchenette, a toilet, a photovoltaic system, and some adequate ventilation. The big concern folks have about sheds is the offgas-sing from construction products used in building the shed. Sorry to upset your karmic buzz, but any new construction produces potentially harmful fumes. Your church. Your local bar and grill. Grandma's new apartment. Whatever. |
Discuss this item on the forums. (0 posts)