What Is The Difference between a manufactured home and a modular home?

1. Manufactured
VS.
Modular
What Is The Difference?

2. Manufactured Homes
A manufactured home is built to the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (HUD Code)
and displays a metal plate or HUD Tag on the exterior of each transportable section. Manufactured homes
are built in the controlled environment of a manufacturing plant and are transported in one or more
sections on a permanent chassis. Inside the home you should find (if it hasn’t been removed) a Data
Sheet, which contains information on the manufacturer, the serial number, HUD Tag numbers, date home
was manufactured, snow, wind and temperature zones, and equipment originally installed. Homes built
prior to June 15, 1976 are mobile homes and were not required to be built to HUD Code.

3. Modular Homes
A modular home is built to, and in many cases exceeds the same state, local or regional building codes
required of site-built homes. Modular homes are constructed in sections under controlled conditions
in factories and transported to their sites on flatbed trucks. Once they reach their site the sections are
removed from the trucks with a crane and are joined together by local contractors. Modular homes have a
metal Universal Building Code (UBC) Tag inside the home, typically under the kitchen sink.

4. Comparison
Manufactured Modular
Transported on a removable transporter.
Transported on non-removable steel chassis which Transporter frame is not a part of the home and
remains a structural part of the home. provides no structural support. Home must be
placed on foundation with crane.
Are built to HUD Code. Are built to local and state code.
Are considered in a separate lending category for Are considered the same as single family stick built
loans and mortgages. dwellings for loans and mortgages.
Are not re-locatable and are considered a
Although required to be secured to the ground they
permanent structure once placed upon the
are considered removable and re-locatable.
foundation.
Building inspectors check the structure to make
Building inspectors check the work done locally, but
sure it meets requirements and that all finish work
are not required to approve the structure.
is done properly.
Generally less expensive than site built and modular Sometimes less expensive per square foot than site
homes built houses.
Available in a pre-determined selection of styles. Can be customized.
Are not allowed in some communities. Are normally allowed in all communities.