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FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you are like most people, you have a bunch of questions and are currently absorbing as much information as possible. This is wise! There is no need to rush into a decision as you want to make sure that a modular home is the right choice and will meet your needs. Our goal is for you to be ecstatic with your decision, so we are here to make sure that all your questions are answered and worries removed. We have put together the most common questions we receive from those new to modular homes, sheds, and services that surround our industry. If you have any remaining questions, please do not hesitate to Contact Us today!

Topics

Mountain Modular Homes

Are you licensed and bonded?
Rocky Mountain Modular Homes.com is a licensed and bonded Modular and Manufactured Home Dealer with the State of Colorado’s Division of Housing.
What types of homes do you build?
Rocky Mountain Modular Homes.com sells Factory Built Homes that are built to either the HUD (Federal Housing Code) or the IRC (International Residential Code). The IRC is the same code that all site built homes have to be built to in Colorado.
What is the difference between modular and a manufactured home?
The term Modular refers to a home that is built to the International Residential Code that is built in pieces, or modules and transported to the site after being produced in a factory. Once the pieces or modules arrive to the build site, they are craned onto the foundation, married together, then finished and hooked up to utilities to get the house to be “turn-key”. The term Manufactured Home usually refers to a home built to the minimum Federal HUD housing code.

The Manufactured Home is built upon a steel chassis and transported to the site. The steel chassis is permanently affixed to the home, which means later on, it can still be transported to another site. Therefore most people still refer to the Manufactured Homes as “mobile homes.” These are not the mobile homes of 40 years ago, and they can have nice features such as drywall, solid surface counter tops, and steeper roof pitches. Manufactured Homes do not have to be placed onto a foundation, rather they can be set with steel pillars, and then skirted with insulated foam skirting to protect the pipes from freezing in the winter.

Are your prefabricated homes customizable?
The prefabricated homes can be customized to tailor to a customer’s specific design. Some factories are more open to customization then others. Customizing may add extra costs, and the modules still have to be built in a way to allow transportation down the road from the factory to the customer’s build site.
How long do your prefabricated homes last?
The prefabricated homes are built in a factory just like a site built home is built, 2′ x 6′ framed exterior walls, roof trusses, etc. They are designed and built to meet the local and state codes of the jurisdiction to which they are being delivered. So they are designed to last as long as a site built house and may even last longer since they are built in a climate controlled environment to withstand traveling down the road. So they have to be built stronger to withstand the journey from the factory to the site.
What manufactures do you work with?
Champion Homes, Family Built Homes, and Heritage Homes of Nebraska
Do you build HUD homes?
Rocky Mountain Modular Homes.com sells HUD homes that are built by Champion Homes
Does Rocky Mountain Modular Homes.com provide financing?
Rocky Mountain Modular Homes.com does not provide self-financing, rather we provide lending sources that can do 30 year fixed mortgages for land, home and construction costs built into one lending package (consult with lender for terms and conditions).
Are owners involved in every project?
The customer is involved in the project from start to finish.
Do you have a showroom?
Rocky Mountain Modular Homes.com is located at 1760 E. Hwy 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863 and we have a couple of models for our customers to walk in and see what a Manufactured Home and Modular Home are like.
Do you offer any guarantees or warranties on your homes?
The manufacturers of the factory built homes warranty their homes for one year from when the customer obtains their final inspection from the county to move in.

SHEDS AND STORAGE

What shed sizes do you offer?
Cumberland Buildings offers a wide variety of shed sizes from 8′ x 8′ to 14′ x 40′.
How do I know if I need a shed or a barn?
Depends on what you are using it for.
Do you need a permit to build a storage shed?
The customer needs to check with their local jurisdiction as to whether or not they need a permit to place a shed onto the property.
Do you build wooden sheds?
Cumberland Buildings builds wooden sheds, Rocky Mountain Modular Homes.com is a dealer for Cumberland Buildings.
How long does a shed build take?
Cumberland Buildings right now is averaging 5-7 weeks from the time the order is placed to when the shed is built and delivered to the customer’s property.
Is it more cost effective to build a shed yourself or have one professionally installed?
Cumberland Buildings builds the sheds in a factory setting similar to how modular homes are built. Therefore Cumberland’s prices are usually much lower than what an individual can build themselves because Cumberland Buildings obtains the materials in such mass quantities, getting a “bulk” discount and passing the savings onto the customer.
Is it legal to camp in a shed?
The customer has to check with their local jurisdiction to see if camping in their shed is allowed.
Can I finance a shed?
We have special relationships with finance officers that provide options including a 36 month rent-to-own option with low monthly payments. Please contact Rocky Mountain Modular Homes.com for details on this and other programs. Specific programs vary, but we can definitely provide guidance.

TINY HOMES

What is a Tiny home?
Typically a Tiny Home is built onto a RV frame with wheels. Most of what people call “Tiny Homes” are more like RVs. Rocky Mountain Modular Homes.com sells Athens Park Model RVs made by Champion Homes.
What qualifies as a tiny home?
This definition varies widely by the people that are part of the “Tiny Home Movement” and the few cities and counties that allow them for full time living. In El Paso County, CO where they are legal for full time living, the size must be 500 square feet or smaller and must be built to the RVIA code at a minimum. Since Tiny Homes that are built on trailers do not meet any housing codes, most cities and counties do not allow full time living in them. Rather they are relegated to camping-in only under that city or county’s Camping Code. Some RV parks do allow full time living in their spaces in a Tiny Home as long as the customer is paying the rent for the RV space and associated utilities fees. Rocky Mountain Modular Homes.com sells Athens Park Model RVs that are less than 399 square feet, and thus considered by most to be a factory built Tiny Home.
How much does a tiny home cost?
Typically the Park Model RVs that Rocky Mountain Modular Homes.com sells run from $45,000 to $65,000 depending on how the customer options out the Park Model and the final destination to where the unit is getting delivered.
Where do I get a tiny home frame?
Some frames like the ones that Champion Homes builds are supplied by the factory.
Where are tiny homes legal?
El Paso County, Colorado which is within Rocky Mountain Modular Homes.com’s service area, started allowing full-time living in Tiny Homes as of January 2018. Beyond that, it is the customer’s responsibility to contact the local jurisdiction or RV park in which they want to place their Tiny Home to make sure that it is allowed.
Can I turn my shed into a tiny home?
No, if someone does, we do not want them to point at our website and tell them that they got the information from us. Sheds are not built to any housing code.
Can I finance a tiny home?
Some lenders provide financing for Park Model RVs, however they would not be financed under a mortgage since they are not built to any housing code. They would be financed under a chattel loan similar to how an RV is financed.

ADDITIONAL DWELLING UNITS (ADU)

What is an additional dwelling unit (ADU)?
According to coloradosprings.gov, Additional Dwelling Units or (ADU) are secondary living areas on a residential lot or within the main home.
What are other names for additional dwelling units?
ADUs are often referred to as ancillary apartments, mother-in-law suites or cottages, granny flats, or guest-houses.
Who benefits from an ADU?
ADUs could help aging people meet their needs without moving off of their property or their adult son or daughter’s property. Also, they can be used as guest houses or additional living quarters for families that have their adult children living on the property with them. If the particular jurisdiction allows it, then the ADUs can be used for rental property, however some jurisdictions have made it clear that they are not going to allow the ADUs to be rented.
What’s the difference between an ADU and a Tiny Home?
ADUs can be built to the International Residential and HUD codes, Tiny Homes unless they are built on-site from the ground up, are not usually built to any housing code. Also, due to the shortage of affordable housing for senior citizens in major cities, cities are open to allowing ADUs onto existing properties in order to provide an option for living quarters for lower income individuals on existing properties.

MODULAR HOMES

Are Modular Homes considered “Real Homes”?
Modular Homes that are built to the International Residential Code (IRC) are absolutely considered to be “Real Homes” and Real Estate by financial institutions, insurance companies and County Assessors.
Do modular homes hold their value over time?
Currently we are seeing that preexisting Modular Homes are being used in real estate comparisons like the other preexisting homes in the area are for appraisals. It always comes down to whatever the market will bear, but since the Modular Homes are built to the International Residential Code, they currently seem to be holding their value or gaining value/equity as more real estate markets increase in value.
Are appliances included when buying a modular home?
Champion Homes and Family Built Homes offer appliance packages in their modular home pricing. Most of their packages will include a furnace, water heater, refrigerator, and an oven/range. Microwaves and dishwashers can be added as well as washers and dryers for an optional cost. Heritage Homes of Nebraska offers appliances to be supplied with their homes as an option. The modular manufacturers offering appliances provide value over a site built home because usually the customers are supplying/purchasing their own appliances on site built homes.
Is plumbing included when you buy a modular home?
The plumbing piping and plumbing fixtures are included with Modular Homes. It is the local General Contractor’s responsibility to install the water and sewer utilities on-site so that they can be hooked up to the house when the Modular Home arrives and is craned onto the foundation.
Do banks finance Modular homes just like a normal home purchase?
The customer needs to confirm lending terms and conditions with the financial institution that supplies their land/home/construction loan.
Are modular homes durable?
Modular Homes are built durable as they have to withstand the bumps and turns of traveling down the road from the factory to the site.
Why are modular homes less expensive than regular homes?
Modular Homes are usually less expensive than homes built on-site because the Modular Home factories buy the materials in such mass quantities so they get “bulk” discounts under national contracts that aren’t available to the ordinary home buyer. There are also efficiencies in building in a climate controlled factory rather than the sites that get exposed to all of the elements that Mother Nature can throw at them.
Are there 2 story modular homes?
Modular Homes can be built as 2 story homes. The modules can be stacked or they can be placed on top of a basement and the basement can be used as the second story.
Do modular homes come with warranties?
The Modular Homes come with a one year warranty from the factory.
Do you set modular homes outside of Colorado?
No, we do not set modular homes at all. Rocky Mountain Modular Homes.com is just a retailer. Also, we need to be licensed even to sell Modular and Manufactured Homes in most states, just like we have to be licensed to do that in Colorado. I’m trying to find a list of states that require a license and even asked my factory rep to help me out, but haven’t had any luck finding that info yet.
How are modular homes are built?
A modular home built to the International Residential Code (IRC) is built to the same code as a home built on site from the ground up. The only difference is that the Modular Home is built in a climate control factory.
Which modular homes are the best?
As long as they are built to the IRC, structurally they are built the same and built to the same standards as any on-site built home. From a finish and design perspective though, Champion is the entry-level series and offers a good home at a more than affordable price, yet options and customization are limited. Heritage has the many different designs, excellent finish and design options, they are very open to customization, however they are the most expensive out of the three factories for which we are dealers. And Family Built sits in the middle between Champion and Heritage with nice finishes like hickory cabinets, pine solid core doors and trim, Pella windows and a 6/12 roof pitch.
What do modular homes cost?
A single wide modular home unit from Champion Homes can start as low as $69,999 and a Heritage Home high-end unit can be $250,000 plus. There are many different floor plans and options in between. Average cost per square footage for the modular home units at this time range from $90 to $135 per square foot.
What are modular homes worth?
Whatever they appraise for in their area at the time of appraisal.
Can modular homes be moved?
Once the modular home is craned and nailed-down to the foundation, they are not meant to be moved and are considered permanent structures at that point. However, Manufactured HUD homes can still be moved later.
Can modular homes have basements?
Yes
Can modular homes be remodeled?
Typically yes because they are built to the IRC (International Residential Code). Manufactured HUD home are not built to the IRC, and in my experience, most contractors and vendors that I know will not work on or supply replacement products for Manufactured HUD homes.
Can modular homes be brick?
A brick facade can be applied to the exterior walls of the house.
Can modular homes be financed?
Yes. Most lenders that we work with will offer mortgage options on Modular Homes because they are built to the IRC. Most lenders that I know shy away from Manufactured HUD homes.
Can modular homes have garages?
Yes, the local contractors can built an attached or detached garage on site
Can modular homes have fireplaces?
Yes
What are the advantages of a modular home?
Cost savings and time.
Why are modular homes cheaper?
Built in a factory setting which has efficiencies through Economies of Scale, as well as the factories get the supplies a “bulk” discount due to their high volume of quantity ordering, so the factories pass the savings down to the customer.
Do modular homes depreciate in value?
Real estate value is always determined by what the market will bear. Modular Homes though do not depreciate like a Manufactured HUD home or Park Model RV because Modular Homes on a foundation is considered Real Estate property, not just property on someone’s real estate.
Will modular home increase in value?
We have seen that they do in this market as they are being included in Real Estate comps in our area. Again, it’s whatever the market will bear, and market forces determine whether home values rise or fall.
Will banks finance modular homes?
Yes
How long will modular homes last?
Modular homes are just as durable as regular homes.
Will banks refinance modular homes?
Yes, but rates and details will vary from bank to bank just like regular homes.
How are modular homes built?
Modular Homes are built like a traditional wood framed home, but in a factory similar to a car being built on an assembly line.
Are modular homes durable?
Yes, modular homes are built to withstand being transported from the factory to the customer’s build site and once set, it they are built to last as long as any permanent structure or regular home.
Are modular homes mortgageable?
Yes
Are modular homes a good investment?
As with any investment or real property, investment results will vary.

MODULAR HOME SETTING

What does home setup entail?
Currently, we sell the modular home units and can have them delivered to your lot in Colorado and Wyoming. Rocky Mountain Modular Homes.com is just a retailer but you can pick your contractor that you want to set your new modular home. We can assist your contractor in getting the full set of modular home plans they will need to obtain your building permit for you. .
Is a modular home permanent?
Once the modular home is placed on top of the foundation and nailed down to the foundation, then yes, the modular home is a permanent structure at that point.
How long does modular home setup take?
Varies, confirm with your contractor of choice. We don’t want to quote arbitrary timelines especially if the customer doesn’t use us to do the set. Please see my answer about timelines on my previous e-mail.
Do you begin setup before the home is completed?
While the modular home is being ordered and going through the production line, it is the goal of the contractor to be doing as much of the site work as possible. That way when the home is delivered, it can be more of a “plug and play” process to finish out the remaining items needed to get the home to “turn-key” status.
How long does modular home construction take?
Typically, from the time the modular home goes onto the production line, it takes 4 to 6 weeks for the home to be constructed and scheduled for delivery. Factory backlogs can delay that time line and each customer will be given an estimated delivery date when it is confirmed that their unit goes into production at the factory.
Do I need to obtain a zoning permit?
The customer will need to get a building permit as well as other required permits such as driveway, excavation, septic, electric and pluming permits. The General Contractor hired to do the site work usually pulls the permit under their General Contractor’s license with the county.

MODULAR HOME CUSTOMIZATION

Are your modular homes customization?
Our homes are customizable. If the factory cannot customize something on the home, then most times a General Contractor can attach something to the house on-site like a deck, metal roof, tongue and groove pine on the interior walls or log siding on the exterior walls for extra costs.
What types of options are customizable for modular homes?
Each of the modular home companies offer different standards and customizable options such as steeper roof pitches, casement (crank-out) windows, counter top surfaces, different kitchen layouts, etc. Covered porches on the gable ends can be added at the factories as well, as long as they do not change the width of the module since the units still need to come down the road and go under/over bridges to get to the build site.
Can I have a wrap-around porch on a modular home?
Yes, the General Contractor can add a wrap around porch to the unit after it arrives and is set on top of the foundation.
My land is uneven. Can you modify modular homes to any slope?
No. The excavators can do some excavation to make a modular home work, but we have been out a many site visits were we look at the lot and say that the customer is going to have to do a site-built home because we cannot get a modular on there, or it’s going to be so expensive to excavate it in a way to work the modular home that the cost savings is negated.

COMMERCIAL MODULAR

What types of industries use modular buildings?
Factory Built Commercial Buildings can be used for any type of business, and our manufacturers can build them to meet local commercial codes. Many hospitals and hotels are turning to modular home construction due to the speed and cost savings, but the construction can be used for banks, stores and other industries.
Can your prefabricated buildings serve as restaurants?
Yes they can.
What are the benefits of prefabricated commercial buildings?
The main benefits of prefabricated commercial buildings is the speed in which they can be built and occupied and the reduction in costs of building a new structure due to reduction in material costs and efficiencies captured by building in a factory.