Types of homes?
Question:We bought a beautiful home in the country. There is NO way to tell that it is actually a modular built home.... so when people find out, they're very surprised. Why is there a stigma attached to them? They are actually superior in some aspects yet still don't get the credit they deserve. Why does it bother me what people think if I'm thrilled with my home??
Answers:
This is a good opportunity to think of yourself as a LEADER, and sometimes that can be uncomfortable. We purchased a modular home and I was surprised at how I found myself in the position of defending my decision. We did alot of research on modular homes versus the cost & quality of a site-built home. There is not a doubt in my mind a quality modular home is just as good, if not better than site built. Now, I don't feel the need to defend my position. There is not a doubt in my mind that modular homes will take the place of site built homes as a standard. I think it makes some people nervous to even consider that someone else has a better home than theirs for less money. I think you should begin to ENJOY their reactions. Either take it as an opportunity to tell them there is 20 - 30% more wood in a modular and less waste of materials than a sitebuilt. They have to pass the same inspections as site built homes. Expensive, precision jigs are used to cut the lumber, not a hand saw as in site built homes. Plus, modular home builders pay a good salary, give vacation and sickleave and benefits to their employees. In my neck of the woods, site built builders use migrant workers and do not give any benefits. They work in the hot sun and are not supervised like the employees of the modular home. Rest assured, you have a home to be proud of. I think their reaction bothers you because it is insulting. It's one thing not to care what people think and I don't think you do, but when they make it known, in front of you, that they are surprised "it's not a real home", it is insulting. The stigma comes from two sources: people who do not know much about modular homes consider them manufactured homes, and most people connected to the site built home industry get almost angry about modular homes since modular homes are catching on and it affects their livelihood. Remember all these things and take pride in your leadership role. Modular homes are quite common in Europe and are slowly but surely becoming the way of the future here in America. Natural materials are becoming more scarce and the efficiency and high standards of modular building will become more common place in the next 5 to 10 years here in the U.S. Just bide your time... in 10 years there will be no more stigma about modular homes because they will be more common. Just hang on and enjoy your home and let the skeptics go home and begin to doubt the extra amount of money they paid for their sitebuilt home and they can feel somewhat foolish. They would prefer you feel foolish than themelves. Don't allow that. Family and friends are happy for us but the site built builders and anyone connected with the industry have been quite negative to us. Now that I realize their livelihood will be affected by modular homes, I do not take as much offense nor do I feel the need to defend my decisions. Start sorting out the responses you get from people. You might discover the most negative or doubtful ones are connected to the site built industry in some manner and like I said, their livelihood will be affected by modular homes. EnJOY your home.
I dunno, why does it bother you?
If it bothers you that much, then stop telling them it's a modular. It's really none of their business, anyways.
When I travelled to VA growing up, there were nothing but modular homes, etc and some were not. I wouldn't care about what people think, you have a home in the country which most of us would only dream of having. You'd better enjoy it!
I agree that modulars are wonderful- i think the problem is that for many many years the only PreFab homes were "trailers" or mobile homes and ya gotta admit many of those were "BAD" LOL!!
those who are 'surprised' at your homes origin just dont know any better. personally i would do one of two things.
either never mention the origin of the house unless specifically asked- (i mean really, why is it any one elses's business how your home was built. as long as you are happy with it)
or Brag it up!! be a spokesperson for non stick-built homes. (especially considering how badly built most of them are nowdays and with HUGE amounts of waste! where prefabs/modulars are made very very effeciantly. and how much more you got for the dollar!
as for why it bothers you- my guess is that you are proud of your new home and find the ignorant put downs unsettling, perhaps undermining your confidence in what you have bought.
Don't, don't, dont worry about it. ENJOY your new home :o)
& should someone put a modular down- just smile and thank them for their opinion but you choose not to agree.
that should at the least confuse them!! LOL! then grin all the way back to your delightful home!!
rj
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