Avalon Building Systems Blog

Recent trends at the end of 2009 and thus far in 2010 has seen new customers considering modular homes in greater numbers. The largest group is those that normally spend $200,000 for a home but are looking to maximize their value while keeping the price within their budget. Modular homes boast greater value through better durability, larger square footage and more amenities compared to most equally-priced site-built homes. Given the continued pricing instability of new and existing homes, modular homes give a more stable value.

The sub-prime mortgage crisis has affected just about every form of housing within the country. Lending is more restrictive, current home inventories are still tremendous, and a large percentage is unable to make their current mortgage payments. And while the modular home industry has felt the effects, the impact has been much less than on the site-built housing industry.

In addition to modular homes offering a better value solution, modular home manufacturers and retailers are expanding their markets. By being more creative with the usage of SIPs, Avalon Building Systems has found new customers who benefit from this technology. Residents in MA, CT, RI, ME, NH, VT and NY area starting to look more and more at modular homes as well. Contact us today should you have any questions regarding modular homes or if you'd like to take a look at our custom built homes we have to offer.

Many in the industry have noted the encouraging phenomenon of the flourishing modular construction industry, especially given the fact that we are still experiencing a weak economy. Not only that, but the construction industry itself has taken an especially hard hit since the economy took a turn, especially housing. Nevertheless, modular construction is surging ahead.

More and more homeowners are venturing into the once-stigmatized modular home market, and more and more governments and businesses are choosing to build with modular construction, due to its lower costs and convenience.

So why the ongoing prosperity of modular construction?

Well in a weak economy where everyone is trying to save money, the most cost effective solutions are going to win out. This accounts for the recent proliferation of bargain shopping companies. Also, there is a hypervigilance in today’s business world to adapt quickly, innovate, and stay up to date with the latest economic trends. Modular construction combines cost effectiveness with the flexibility necessary for businesses to alter their physical workspaces and keep up with the changing times.

It also helps that modular construction and other forms of modular design have been increasingly associated with the green movement, due to inherent energy saving/recycling qualities found in modular construction. In essence, modular construction is a more evolved, more intelligent form of construction that seeks to address the inefficiencies of traditional construction. In times of prosperity, change might come more slowly, as the current conventions seem to work alright. However, in recessionary times, it becomes essential to rethink old techniques and adapt to harsh landscapes.

It is the combination of these elements that have propelled modular construction into one of the fastest growing industries in the world today, even in a decline. Contact us today to find out more about modular design and how it can reshape your home or business.

It is a new year and more people are starting to turn their efforts green and in a more efficient approach. One of these growing trends is the use of modular construction. Not only is modular being used for homes but also buildings and offices as well. There are many, many benefits and features we can list but to make it simple, we'll provide a short summary of why modular construction works for years to come.

Lower Cost: Modular homes are built in factories and take advantage of "volume" pricing. The assembly line process allows for maximum labor efficiency.

Quality Control: Modular homes are built in a controlled environment and engineered for trouble-free durability. Quality control is maintained by constant inspection throughout the construction process.

High Quality Materials Less Waste: To insure a safe delivery of your home, modular homes are built exceptionally well, using high quality materials. Typically, 20%-30% lumber is saved and used for other projects, so nothing is wasted.

Peace of Mind: Modular homes come at a guaranteed price.

Quicker Build Time: Modular homes are stick built, using the same components and techniques as site built homes, but in a controlled, indoor environment - there are no weather delays, and your home is not exposed to the elements during construction. Lower utility costs/higher resale value! as most are built today, using ENERGY STAR appliances and companies are building homes that optimize comfort and savings with features that include leading-edge heating systems, additional insulation, advanced air-infiltration preventions packages, high performance windows and more!
Choices: And lots of them! Carpeting, vinyl, ceramic tile, interior doors, counter-tops - any component in the home!

Functionality: Built with floor plans for today's lifestyles - Ranches, Colonial, Bank style, and Multi-Family. Modular building offers you the chance to purchase a high quality home, customized to fit your tastes, lifestyle, and budget.

For most of us, our home is the largest, single investment we will ever make. With a modular home purchase, you can set your modular home on your land anywhere in the US.

Once you have ordered your new modular home and have chosen all the features you wish to have, Avalon will be in contact with you every step of the way throughout the building process. Once your home is delivered to your site, they will be there to insure that the rest of the development of lifting your home by crane onto your new foundation, getting utilities to the house, finishing any features you may have chosen for your elevation, including any special windows, basement, garage etc., and the roofing of your home. Contact us today to learn more about modular homes and see how they can turn your dream home into a reality.

Ever wonder how modular construction came about? Did you know that modular construction has been around for over a hundred years? Did you know that almost everyone has been inside of a modular home or modular general office building and never realized it? Modular homes design, from traditional colonial style to estate style homes are quite the extraordinary design. The history of modular homes is quite interesting as well as the evolution of modular homes keeps expanding because of new technology.

Modular buildings are pre-fabricated buildings taken to a new and larger scale. We avoid the term "pre-fabricated" because of the erroneous association that that term has with mobile home construction. The use of pre-fabrication goes back over a hundred years. It started gaining popularity early in the 20th century between 1910 to the mid-1940s. The end of World War II caused the modular market to truly explode and evolve. Returning soldiers came back to America looking to buy homes and start families. This drove a demand for homes greater than the marketplace could handle via the traditional building process. This led people to look for solutions to increase efficiency and lower the cost of new home construction. The modular building process answered both of these needs. There are still 1950-era modular homes in service today.

Over the past twenty years, the sophistication of modular home design greatly increased.  The leap in sophistication relates in part to the pioneering support of overhead cranes with the capacity to lift 100 tons or more. This allowed larger modules to be constructed and shipped cross-country. The only limitation in the size of each individual module is rode width and weight restrictions.  Today's modular buildings normally consist of 3-6 different modules.

Original Article - Modular Today

If your dream is to build a modular home on your land, you may be wondering what kind of mortgage you will need to achieve it. In this case a modular home loan is different from a typical mortgage. The most common mortgage for people building a new home on their land is a Construction to Mortgage loan, or Construction to Permanent loan. As the name implies, the loan starts out as a construction loan until the modular home has been placed on your land and it has been completed and inspected. At this point, the loan can be converted into a more traditional mortgage.

When looking for a lender for a modular home loan it is advisable to find an agent that has some experience in this type of mortgage. For one thing, there are still some lenders that are unclear on the difference between a modular home, manufactured home, or mobile home. Overall, many more agents have become aware of the difference and even point out to their peers that they have worked with modular homes and have found many to be superior to stick built homes. So even if you do run across a lender that is not familiar with modular home loans you should not be discouraged. There are plenty of qualified lenders that are very knowledgeable and would love to have your business.

One unique thing about modular home loans which makes it important to have a lender that has experience in this type of loan is that the payment schedule must include a payment to the manufacturer for the total amount of the home at the time it is delivered to the home site. This is only a portion of your total cost, but generally the manufacturer will not release the house to be set on the foundation until it is paid for in full. As long as the bank is aware of this and has provided for it in the payment schedule this should not pose any problems. There are many banks that have extensive experience dealing with modular home loans. Some seem to favor the builder more, some the home buyer. Ideally, the loan should allow payments to the builder in a timely manner so he has the money he needs to complete each step of the process, but still leave the builder with the proper incentive to finish the job on your timetable. If you have any questions about modular home loans or about modular homes in general, feel free to contact us and we'll be happy to help.

People downsize for a host of reasons.  The most common being the simple fact that our kids have moved on and we simply don’t need that much room to manage, clean, and pay taxes on.  Also, downsizing, particularly into an affordable custom modular home frees up investment dollars to improve the quality of your life.  Let us introduce to you three superb custom modular floor plans that serve as perfect downsizing options.  

First, consider our ranch style home. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 1263 total sq. ft. Our first ranch style home is called the Amherst. It is a very functional ranch plan with three sizeable bedrooms which all stem off a central living area and kitchen. The plan also features plenty of closet space and a functional layout.

For those of you who don’t want to give rooms of furniture away when you downsize, consider the Cape Cod style home, the Barnstable, with an unfinished 2nd Floor. It offers 1 bedroom, 1 bath and 650 sq. ft. The Barnstable is a cozy cottage which offers a living area and kitchen with a lot of natural light and charm. The proposed second floor offers one bedroom and a bathroom.

Finally, one home sure to please is our colonial style home, the Newbury. It offers 3 bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, and 1568 sq. ft. The Newbury is a lovely and efficient colonial home with a large living area. The plan also features three bedrooms and two and half bathrooms. There is also an option for a garage and bonus room above which flows perfectly with the home.

Feel free to inquire about any of these homes. If these are not your style home, then please take a look at our other inventory. Contact us today to find out how you can get into your dream style home today.

The popularity of commercial modular buildings is growing quickly, as both business owners and public officials have become aware of their advantages. Commercial structures vary from temporary single to multiple unit modules. They also have permanent, customized and original alternatives for specific needs of clients. Among the most popular uses are bank style and general office style. These styles are ideal for a small business or franchise.

Many modular commercial buildings are architecturally alluring and aesthetically gratifying. They are accurately engineered and completed sooner than traditionally built structures. These buildings can be designed as structures that stand-alone or which can be incorporated in addition to an existing building. The commercial buildings generally guarantee on-time completion. This is because the buildings are fabricated almost 90% in a factory controlled environment. Hence they are not exposed to the vagaries of weather.

The modular commercial buildings give lot of flexibility to their user in terms of design. Buildings, which are thousands of square feet and several stories high can be prefabricated and assembled. They have expansion capabilities since it is easy to add modules to expand the total construction area. The buildings can even be moved with negligible disruptions, if the need arises.

Modular commercial buildings are customized to the user's needs and can even be made to look like traditional buildings. The buildings can be given attractive interiors and exteriors. The building can be finished to look like regular buildings to luxurious office complexes. These commercial modular buildings turn out to be more economical than traditional on-site constructions as the buyer is able to avoid many overhead expenses since the building is prefabricated in the factory. This manufacturing process saves money without compromising on quality.

Commercial modular buildings have value and flexibility as major plus points. These buildings offer a swift and realistic approach to growing construction preferences. Contact us today if you have any questions about commercial modular construction.