How are modular homes assembled on site?
Modular homes aren’t built on-site like a “normal” house. Instead, they are manufactured in a factory, with up to 80% of the construction work completed in the factory before the structure is transported on flatbed trucks in sections to your block of land. Once delivered, each section is assembled together, and the house is connected to power and water.
The following video gives you a great look at how the delivery and assembly process unfolds. But you can also read more about what's involved in each step in the below blog post.
STEP 1 - SET-OUT AND PIERS
The first stage of building your modular home is the site preparation and set out. Typically, our clients will ensure that the home site is cleared, well-drained, and access is sorted out before we arrive. We can help you out where we can with organising this part of the process.
Our onsite installer or 'Complexor' will then come and start the set-out process. This involves setting out the location of your home following the site plan. Importantly, they will also confirm with you the exact and final spot your home will be placed and any minor orientation tweaks that might need to be carried out.
Once the home location is set out square and correctly, we can start the drilling of piers. This usually involves digging down at least 1.5m into the ground to provide your home with a good stable base.
STEP 2 - ARRIVAL OF MODULES
Now for the most exciting part of the whole build - delivery day! Your individual home modules will arrive on the back of our transport companies' unique haulage system for unloading. Depending on your site, there may be cranes and even traffic control involved. The team will then proceed with the unloading of your home. And in most cases, your home will be installed on the piers the same day as the modules arrives.
The home is then bolted together at the base and the ridge cap installed on the roof, ensuring your home is secure and weatherproof on the first day.
STEP 3 - VERANDAHS AND STAIRS
The next stage of the build is to complete the assembly of your verandahs, stairs, subfloor skirting and your carport (if you've opted for one). Depending on your home's size, this can take a week or two to complete and involves a lot of hammering and saw cutting. Also at this stage, the cladding joints are installed and all outside works are completed. Your home is now ready for final painting.
STEP 4 - INTERAL PREP
The installer's final task is to to complete the joining inside your home. This involves relaying vinyl planking, installing a joiner strip and repairing any cracks or damage that may have occurred during transport. As a final touch, the installer will whiz round to ensure all packaging tape is removed and all doors and windows are opening and closing correctly.
We recommend your onsite plumber and electrician get started on connecting your new home to power, water and sewerage during this stage so that the process of moving into your new home isn't held up.
STEP 5 - PAINTING
Once the installer has completed all his work, your home is ready for painting. Our painter will arrive at your site, complete the final painting of your home and ensure that all touch ups are completed.
STEP 6 - DETAIL, CLEANING AND INSPECTIONS
Once the painter has completed his works, our onsite foreman will start the final QA process for your new modular home. Your home will be inspected to ensure that all works have been completed correctly and any minor issues have been ironed out. Simultaneously, the onsite cleaner will arrive to give your home a final polish, ready for you to move in.
After a final inspection, and after receipt of payment, you can take the keys and move in.
MINOR DEFECT WARRANTY
After your modular homes is complete we do not just disappear!
Every Westbuilt home comes with a 12-month minor defect warranty. This warranty means that your home is covered for things like small settling issues or problems like faulty door locks, which may pop up in the first 12 months of living in your home. Just send the team an email within the first 12 months, and we will liaise with you to inspect and repair or replace the faulty item or defect.
COULD A MODULAR HOME BE RIGHT FOR YOU?
If you think that building a new home might be the best option for you, and you’re interested in a more cost-effective and 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.