Modular homes are the fastest growing sector of the home building industry, the newest spin is the addition of green technology
by Diane Alter
Owning a home has been the American dream as far back as 1930, when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt stated that “a nation of homeowners is unconquerable.” On Martha’s Vineyard, this dream has become increasingly difficult in recent years as the cost of home construction has nearly doubled. Of course, this astronomical price hike is not unique to the island. But it is exacerbated here by high demand and a shortage of skilled labor.
Combined with a trend towards “green” high energy efficiency building, or as they have come to be known in the industry, Net Zero Energy homes, many are choosing to buy modular homes. And many who opt to go that route are choosing the net zero energy options offered by Go Modular SIP Homes of Dartmouth, MA and Lincoln, RI.
Modular homes are residences built in sections or modules in a controlled factory environment. They are then transported to a construction site where they are installed on permanent foundations and completed by professional installers. Home owners can then choose the type of siding, flooring and other custom features done by local builders.
The fastest growing segment in the home building industry, global shipments of prefabricated homes are expected to reach 1.1 million units by 2020, according to a recent report by Global Industry Analysts.
Several factors are behind this projected growth spurt.
Modular homes can reduce construction time by more than 35 percent, allowing new homeowners to take up residence in their new home faster so they can enjoy it longer. Modular homes also offer price savings. Because modular construction can be completed in less time than site-built construction, for example, the cost of interim construction financing is significantly reduced or eliminated. Additionally, the final cost is easier to predict as modular homes have a fixed cost, leaving only the finishing touches as a variable cost.
Go Modular SIP Homes is one of the oldest modular home builders in the Northeast. Setting this company apart is its specialization in full customization. This ensures that every modular house is a “dream home.” To be sure, Go Modular SIP Homes has an esteemed reputation thanks to the quality, style and distinction of its modular homes. These are not cookie cutter homes; they are highly customized.
“Interest in modular homes has always been strong,” Christine Pitliangas, who co-owns Go Modular SIP Homes with her husband Saki, told This Week on MV. “When people call us, they know they want to go modular and they want to go with us. We stand out because of our high customization designs, which we don’t charge extra for. First time homeowners are among our biggest customers. We also do a lot of demolitions in high end markets like the Vineyard. There is clearly a market for modular homes on MV.”
The attractiveness of modular homes includes cost efficiencies, speed and a stronger construction. “The modular home segment is still just three to five percent of the housing market,” Christine added. “It is a hidden yet robust market. There is indeed room for much more growth, particularly in places like MV, where just trying to secure a contractor is difficult.”
Interest in modular homes has spiked recently amid a keen focus on a “green prefab movement,” which includes eco-friendly technologies and energy saving features. Go Modular SIP Homes is the only modular homebuilder in the Northeast to offer patent pending modular homes built using Structural Insulated Panels, or SIPs. A SIP is an innovative technology that offers the highest possible energy efficiency in a home using a process that sandwiches a foam core between two structural facings. Typically, oriented strand board or OSB.
SIPs are manufactured under factory controlled conditions and fabricated to fit any building design. The result is a building that is extremely strong, with twice the R value at a significantly reduced cost. SIP walls with polyurethane offer an astounding 363 percent more energy efficiency over a conventional wall. The other key component in energy efficient walls is air infiltration. Air infiltration contributes 40 percent of energy loss in a home. SIPs give 15 times more air tight home over a conventional built home.
Go Modular SIP Homes are the only company in the North East that combines the SIP technology in a modular construction.
Go Modular SIP Homes has close ties to the Vineyard. This pioneering modular home builder has collaborated with Green Island Homes, an MV-based cutting edge company that uses SIPs for a complete energy efficient home from Solar to on-demand hot water and more.
“The growth and development of the Vineyard’s communities has a large impact on our natural environment,” explained Colin Young, founder of Green Island Homes. ”The manufacturing, design, construction and operation of the homes where we live and work are responsible for the consumption of many of our natural resources, which are finite.”
Green homes have become increasingly desirable. More and more homebuyers rank green and energy-efficiency as top requirements for their next homes. The green, single family housing market will represent about 40 percent of the market by 2018, according to a recent McGraw Hill Construction report. Additionally, some 84 percent of all residential construction will have sustainable features,
Another kicker is that green homes sell at higher prices and faster than comparable, conventional homes. According to a 2016 report by real estate appraiser and author Sandra K. Adomatis in conjunction with the Institute for Market Transformation titled, “What Is Green Worth? Unveiling High-Performance Home Premiums in Washington, D.C.,” high-performing single family and multi-family homes with green features sell for 3.5 percent more than those without green features.
Go Modular SIP Homes, which are high performing and highly specialized, take a lot of the frustration out of building a home, Christine noted.
Green Island Homes notes that eco-friendly homes produce fewer carbon emissions via efficient energy use, reduces landfill trash and lessons new construction’s impact on the world’s dwindling resources.
For more information visit www.gomodularhomes.com or contact Green Island Homes at 774-563-9714.
