Building a modular home is a big decision, and the site costs involved are sometimes some of the more significant costs involved. The trick here is that many modular builders will give you pricing for a home EXCLUDING the site costs.
We think that is somewhat misleading as the price of the house could quickly end up being $20,000 to $100,000 or more depending on your land.
So, read on to find out the top 3 main site costs you need to consider before buying a modular home.
SITE COST #1 - ELECTRICITY
The first thing you need to consider is the cost of getting power connected to your new modular home. Depending on your site this can vary immensely; however, we’ve found that you can generally break this into three main categories.
IN-TOWN POWER
If your site is in an urban area, you can usually connect power to your new manufactured home quite inexpensively. If your home will be within 20m of a power pole and there is a clear space, the cost of joining your electricity could be quite inexpensive. Moreover, this can also be swung across overhead to a riser bracket or a property pole.
ACREAGE POWER
If your home is a little further away from a power pole, then the cost does increase. Usually on an acreage block the power will be swung across to a property pole on your site then run underground a longer distance to your home and shed/s.
OFF-GRID POWER
If you have to run your power a longer distance (200m+) we’d recommend that you consider an off-grid solar power system.
While this is the most expensive option, you do get the benefit of eventually not having to pay a power bill ever again.
A well-designed solar power system will also provide more than enough power to run your home and will have backup batteries and generators for those cloudy days!
SITE COST #2 - PLUMBING & DRAINAGE
The next major onsite cost you need to consider is your plumbing and drainage. Moreover, this will include your sewerage work, septic tanks, water tanks and pumps. So, we can break this into two categories urban sites with town services and acreages with out town services.
TOWN SEWER & WATER
So, for sites with town sewerage and water, the cost for your onsite plumbing will be minimal. We find that the only additional items required may be a water tank and pump depending on your local councils’ requirements.
ONSITE SEWERAGE TREATMENT PLANTS OR SEPTICS
Most acreage site will require some form of on-site sewerage treatment. The main system options available to our clients are the “old style” Septic Tanks or an Aerated Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS). Most councils, plumbing designers and plumbers recommend an AWTS system nowadays although in some rare cases a septic tank may be prescribed.
WATER TANKS
The additional site cost you will need to consider for acreage sites is the need for water tanks. We recommend you consider attaching at least two 22,500L poly water tanks with a pressure pump to your home and shed if you do not have town water! The last thing you want is to be trucking in water in a dry spell!
SITE COST #3 - SHEDS
Lastly, consider your requirements for sheds and carports. Depending on your needs, we recommend a minimum 6m x 6m shed for acreage sites. On in-town blocks, you may want to consider building a garage into the main home – speak to Westbuilt consultant about your options in this regard!
Another option is to put a carport on the side of your home. Westbuilt can facilitate this to integrate it with your new home or organise a standalone shed
HONOURABLE MENTION - COUNCIL REQUIREMENT SITE COSTS
The last site cost we’d recommend you think about is what council requirements affect your site. Importantly, t
CONCLUSION
We get it; it's not easy to build a new home. There is so much to think about and consider. And this is why we offer a couple of packages to our clients to help them get certainty and de-mystify the whole building process:
THE TURNKEY PACKAGE
This package is for those who want the most straightforward option possible. Our team will investigate your site requirements, speak with local plumbers and electricians on your behalf and provide you with a total fixed price on connecting power and water to your home. So, ask your design consultant today about more information on this.
SITE ANALYSIS PACKAGE
The site analysis package is for those clients in the earlier stages of choosing to build a home. Also, by choosing this package you will receive a detailed report on the potential council or transport issues presented by your site. We will also look at what the potential costs are and also find the ideal building location for your home on your site. Ask your design consultant today about more information on this.
Interested in building a modular home?
If you think that building a new modular home might be the best option for you, and you’re interested in a more streamlined construction process, talk to the team at Westbuilt Homes.
We have been designing and building stunning modular homes since 1993. The construction process of a modular home is very different to that of a conventional home, giving you greater control over the construction time, the quality and the timeframe.
To learn more about modular construction, book a no obligation consultation with one of our modular experts. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.
