7 Different Types Of Prefab Homes You Should Know About

Prefabricated homes have come a long way from the basic, boxy designs many people remember from years past. Today’s prefabricated homes are stylish, customizable, and available in all shapes and sizes — from sleek container homes to spacious barndominiums.

Whether you’re looking for a minimal tiny home or a modern modular build, there are types of prefab homes to match your lifestyle. In this post, we’ll explore different types of prefabricated homes so you can weigh up the options and get inspiration for the prefab home of your dreams.

While you may have heard of prefabricated homes, you may not know about all the different options available. Choosing which type is right for your new home will depend on the size, aesthetic, and location you desire. 

Modular homes are highly flexible homes built in parts off-site in a factory and transported to the site for assembly. They offer home builders fast construction times, precisely made components, and are highly quality-controlled to ensure they adhere to the same building codes as traditional homes.

Prefabricated modular homes are typically much more affordable than traditional builds and offer high energy efficiency thanks to their construction methods.

However, where you can build modular homes can be limited by how close your build site is to the factory. They can also be tough to finance compared to traditional housing.

• Pros: Faster construction time, high quality control, customizable designs, often energy-efficient.

• Cons: Limited by transportation size and route, financing can be a little more complicated than for traditional homes.

Manufactured homes (often called mobile homes or trailers) are entirely built within a factory and transported to the build site, where they’re placed on permanent or semi-permanent foundations.

Manufactured homes are affordable, and they’re much higher quality than they used to be. However, they often lose value over time and have limited customization options.

Manufactured homes are built to a different standard than traditional builds. In the US, these standards are set by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and cover various aspects of the build, including:

• The body and frame

• Thermal protection

• Plumbing

• Electrical

• Fire safety

Every manufactured home in the US should come with a HUD tag, which certifies that it adheres to these standards.

• Pros: Affordable compared to traditional homes, quick move-in timeline, and modern designs can be very high quality.

• Cons: Can lose value over time (unlike traditional homes), zoning restrictions in some areas, and limited customization options.

Kit homes are assembled using parts made in a factory. They come with all the materials and instructions you need to build a home — all you have to do is put it together. Think of a model kit, but it’s your new home!

Kit homes have a long history. They were popularized by Sears, Roebuck, and Co. in the early 1900s when you could buy a kit home from their mail-order catalogs .

These types of prefabricated homes are a great option for those looking to save money on building a house and aren’t afraid to do some work themselves.

• Pros: Often cheaper than traditional homes, flexible building locations, and the satisfaction of building your own home.
• Cons: Kit homes require time, labor, and some construction knowledge, and mistakes during assembly can cause delays or extra costs.

As the name suggests, panelized homes are a type of prefab home that uses wall panels made in a factory and assembled on-site. This offers the same level of precision and quality as modular homes, while allowing for more flexibility.

Panelized homes are easier to ship than full modules and are still faster than a traditional build, but require more on-site work.

• Pros: Faster construction than traditional builds, highly energy efficient, and easier to ship than full modules

• Cons: Requires more on-site work than modular homes, and weather can cause delays during on-site assembly.

If you’re looking for a cosy, minimalist home, tiny prefabs are the perfect choice. As with manufactured homes, tiny prefabricated homes are built entirely in a factory and delivered to the build site. Despite their small size, tiny prefabs can come in a wide range of styles and layouts to suit any needs, with some companies even offering customization.

While prefabricated small homes aren’t for everyone, they’re much more affordable than most other prefabricated home types. They are typically under 400-500 square feet, making utilities like heat and electricity more affordable.

• Pros: They are very affordable, tend to be energy-efficient, and have lower maintenance and utility costs.

• Cons: Limited living space and storage, and you might face zoning and building code issues in some areas.

Prefabricated container homes have exploded in popularity with people looking for low-cost homes with a unique aesthetic. Container homes use repurposed shipping containers — either a single unit or multiple units combined for larger homes. They’re durable, eco-friendly, quick to build, and combining units can create some highly elaborate and unique designs.

• Pros: Highly durable structure, faster and cheaper than many traditional builds, and a unique modern look.

• Cons: Insulation and temperature control can be tricky, you might face permit issues, and prices can creep up with modifications.

Barndominiums are types of prefab homes popularized by HGTV’s Fixer Upper, which showed off this style’s unique aesthetics, open-plan luxury, and flexibility. Bardominiums feature an open barn-like design with metal or wooden frames that support the roof, removing the need for columns or load-bearing walls.

Barndos can be partially prefabricated and finished on site, offering faster build times compared to traditional builds. However, custom finishes, insurance, and financing issues can increase barndominium costs.

• Pros: Open floor plans, durable and low maintenance, and can be quite affordable per square foot.

• Cons: Not as suited to urban areas, can require more custom finishing, and insurance or financing might be harder to secure.

Whether you’re looking at a cosy little prefabricated tiny home or a sprawling and open barndominium, you’ll need a site plan to help you design your dream home, plan your site layout, and secure permits.

MySitePlan offers quick and detailed site plans using GIS (Geographical Information System) lot lines, satellite imagery, and client-provided information. Head to MySitePlan today to get a site plan for your prefab home, with no site visit required.