Rob Pierce,
Legacy Built Homes

Rob Pierce is the owner of Legacy Built Homes, a partner in Pierce & Cardone and has recently launched Legacy Land Development Group. A native of Eureka, Illinois, Rob graduated from North Central University in Minneapolis. Rob has been exceptionally successful in developing all aspects of the modular industry including design, sales, construction and financing. After years in the business as a consultant, Rob launched Legacy Built Homes in 2002 in Peoria. Legacy is now known for its quality turn-key construction, timely completion and outstanding customer service. Legacy Built Homes constructed a beautiful model home center just off I-74 in Goodfield in the spring of 2006, which also serves as its headquarters. To learn more visit www.legacybuilthomes.com

What is a modular home?

Modular homes are stick built in large sections in an indoor factory and the sections are lifted onto a permanent foundation with a crane. The fact that they are built in an indoor factory makes them energy efficient, strong and secure. Building materials are never subjected to the weather and are constructed using jigs to ensure exact dimensional and assembly control. The building codes are changing yearly and modular builders quickly adjust to meet those codes as needed.

How does a modular home differ from a mobile or manufactured home?

While both types of homes are factory built, there are many differences. Manufactured homes are built to HUD code, the national code for the mobile home industry. Modular homes are built to IRC 2003 Code, the code for stick built homes, and must adhere to all national, state and local building codes. Manufactured homes are built on a steel frame; modular homes are built with an all wood floor that rests directly on the foundation wall and sill plate just like a conventional stick built home. Modular homes must be constructed to conform to multiple state and local codes, making the product considerably stronger than a manufactured home. You will also see higher quality in windows, plumbing, heating options etc. A “true” modular home is a stick built home built in the factory and placed on carriers for transport to a job site destination.

Why should I choose a modular (off site built) home over a stick built home?

When GM or FORD builds the car that you ordered, they do not throw all the parts out in your yard and build your car after exposing the various components to all weather conditions. While conventional stick building practices require that all of the building materials be out on the job site exposed to whatever extreme weather conditions exist, most modular home manufacturers store materials in the factory where they are kept clean and dry. The fact that conventional stick building exposes your materials to various weather conditions while under construction compromises the lumber and decking and can shorten the life of your home.

Modular homes (off site built homes) make building your new home much easier. Your house is built out of the weather with precision engineering. It’s a faster building process so you will pay less interest due to quicker completion.. Quality construction, strict quality control, wide design flexibility, one-stop-shopping and a “locked-in price” guarantees that modular construction is an intelligent choice.

Can I modify the modular plan?

It is easy to get exactly what you want. You can modify floor plans with some exceptions and revisions. Interior and exterior design changes can easily be made. Quality custom modular homebuilders offer complete flexibility. They can build your house to accommodate your style of living and will still have it completed quicker than a site built home. With multiple floor plans to choose from, it is not hard to find a plan that fits the bill. Featuring great designs and exciting features in every style and price range, you are able to work with your sales consultant to select the features and customize the finishing touches, just as you want them.

What standards are used in building modular homes?

Quality off site constructed homes are all built to comply with nationally accepted building codes such as IRC and the national electric code as well as various state codes. The homes are inspected for plumbing and electrical by the Illinois Department of Public Health as well as a licensed certified third party inspection company. Additionally, the factory’s own quality control department insures that the structure meets the highest quality standards before it ever leaves the factory.

Where can I build a modular home?

Your lot or a lot owned by the modular builder of your choice. A quality custom modular homebuilder will think outside the box with style and class that have paved the way to building in most residential communities that would not normally allow an off site constructed home. If you cannot find the land that you are looking for, most modular builders can help in locating the lot that you are looking for. Some are equipped with on site realtors who can find that perfect lot or assist in selling your existing home.

How long will it take?

Once you have decided on which home you wish to build, have signed your purchase agreement and made your deposit, the process begins. Your home will be delivered to your site usually within 60 days after you place your order. Prior to the arrival of your home, building permits are being purchased, site preparations are being made and the foundation is constructed. After the home is placed on the foundation, the home will be ready for move-in in approximately 30 to 45 days. One hundred days from start to finish makes this hassle-free building process a slam dunk for today’s busy, cost conscious homebuyer.

Are all modular homes the same?

Are all stick built homes the same? Absolutely not! Likewise, there are modular home factories as well that try to cut corners as close as they can without violating codes. As with most purchases today, avid research as a consumer will ensure finding a quality custom modular homebuilder who is up to date with the emerging technologies in the building industry. A home purchase is a major life decision; there are many elements to consider.

What specifications should a discerning consumer require in their modular home?

A vital attribute of any off site built home is the 2” x 6” exterior walls that provide and maintain the structural integrity of each module as it travels on various turbulent roadways to its final destination (your foundation). There is no viable substitute for a 2”x 6” exterior wall on a well-built modular home. Floor joists need to be at least 16” on center whether it is TGI, open-joist web-floor truss system, or traditional solid southern yellow pine floor joists. Although 19.2” on center floor systems are sometimes seen in modular homes, they have proven to deliver a soft, bouncy floor in most applications. In addition, 5/8” sheetrock on ceilings rather than ½” is a vital staple of any well built modular home. Modular homes are solidly built with 2”x 8” rafters at 24” on center. H clips with a 7/16” to ½” roof decking are typical. Be leery of any factory product that tries to skimp on its product by carrying the roof load on 2”x 6” rafters at 24” on center. Another vital engineering component is the center supports (king posts) for the hinged roof system that rest upon the marriage wall headers of any modular home product. The “King Posts” should be at least a 2”x 4” or 2”x 6” product. Anything less is inadequate for a well built solid roof.

What about resale and appraisals?

This commonly asked question brings up an unnecessary concern. There is simply no difference between a conventional site built (stick built) home and a modular home when it comes to appraisals or resale of the property. In fact, I know couples who are living in their third and fourth modular home, having built, resold and profited greatly. The only time that this issue could be a problem is if the builder cuts corners. Eventually, the inferior built product will show up either at the home inspection or, in some cases, from the curb.

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