FAQ
Apex
What is a building system?
Simply put, a building system is a highly engineered method of producing buildings or building components in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The use of building systems is common in many different types of residential and commercial construction. A modular home is the culmination of one type of building system. Apex modular homes actually begin as components—individual units—designed, engineered, and assembled in an indoor controlled environment, sometimes hundreds of miles away from their final destination. When these components come together on your building site and final construction is completed by your builder, they become a new home for you and your family.
Tell me more about the modular construction process.
The modular construction process is similar to what you've seen during the construction of other homes in your neighborhood. The same quality materials are used, the same care for detail is followed, and the same building codes and standards are observed. What's different? Efficiency and quality control. The modular construction process begins at the design phase. Most modular home producers use state-of-the-art computer-assisted design stations which aid them in quickly customizing floor plans and producing drawings and material requirement lists. Once a home has been designed, the modular construction process begins. Efficiency begins with modern factory assembly line techniques. Your modular home travels to workstations, with all building trades represented. Modular construction is never delayed by weather, subcontractor no-shows, or missing materials. In addition, quality engineering and modular construction techniques significantly increase the energy efficiency of your modular home. A quality control process provides 100% assurance that your modular home has been inspected for code compliance and workmanship, and in-plant inspectors as well as independent inspection agencies inspect Apex modular homes on behalf of your state and local government.
How long does it take to build a modular home?
Speed and consistent quality are two of the many advantages of modular construction. On average, a modular home consisting of two modules will be factory-processed in six or seven days. Once the manufacturing process is complete, typically with interior finish right down to carpets and wall finish, the unit must be transferred to the building site and placed on its foundation. Final modular home completion is usually handled by a local builder or general contractor and includes connection of utilities to the modular home and a short list of finish work. Normally, a modular home is completed in six to eight weeks after it's set.
I get confused when I see the terms "manufactured home" and "modular home." What's the difference?
"Manufactured homes," often referred to as mobile homes or trailers, represent an entirely different type of building system than modular homes and are constructed to a different building standard. This standard, the Federal Construction Safety Standards Act (HUD/CODE), unlike conventional building codes, requires manufactured homes to be constructed on a non-removable steel chassis. Many communities have placed restrictions on where manufactured homes may be located. Unlike manufactured homes, however, modular homes are constructed to the building codes required by your state, county, and specific locality and are not restricted by building or zoning regulations. Modular homes are inspected during every phase of construction, and evidence of this inspection is normally indicated by a State or inspection agency label of approval.
Can I design my own modular home instead of using a standard modular home plan?
Yes! With Apex Homes, you have complete design flexibility.
I know that modular homes are built to the same codes as site-built homes. Is financing any different?
There is no distinction between modular and site-built homes as far as appraisal or financing. Banks and lending institutions treat both types of construction in the same manner. Likewise, there is no difference in insuring the modular property.
How do I buy a modular home?
Most modular home manufacturers market their homes through local builders or developers. This is because modular home manufacturers are just that, manufacturers of modular home components. Modular home manufacturers rely on the experience of builders within local communities to assist homeowners in many areas, including lot selection and site preparation. When dealing with such a large purchase, it is always best to have expert advice.
What do modular homes look like?
Modular homes look like any other home. Today's modular construction technology has allowed modular manufacturers to specialize in homes, ranging from small, simple designs, to highly customized contemporary houses. And modular construction doesn't stop with houses. Today's modular producers are busy building banks, schools, office buildings, and hotels. Chances are you've been in many modular structures and not even realized it.
What are SYSTEM-BUILT homes?
SYSTEM-BUILT homes incorporate the most advanced developments in the modular construction industry into the modular home building process. Built using a combination of panelized and modular construction, Apex SYSTEM-BUILT homes benefit from the latest in total modular construction technology. Under our SYSTEM-BUILT program, every modular home design is analyzed to determine the best and most cost-effective manner to construct the home, while maintaining the utmost level of customization. The homeowner can finally get exactly what he or she wants while benefiting from the structural and economic advantages associated with modular construction.
How was the SYSTEM-BUILT technology developed?
Most modular home companies began as an offshoot of the manufactured home industry. These companies set out to create an upscale product using low-tech construction techniques—a philosophy that helped create the modular construction business in the "starter home" market but was much too limited to attract custom-oriented homebuyers in the mid and upper markets. Apex Homes' SYSTEM-BUILT technology, however, directly resulted from taking stick-built construction techniques and adapting them to modular construction principles. By combining the high-end construction methods already in use by the stick-built industry with the convenience and precision of the modular construction world, Apex Homes was able to successfully produce modular homes ranging from economical starter houses to million-dollar estate homes. Today, our ability to bring you the best of the modular, panelized, and stick-built industries results in homes which are not only more affordable than traditionally built homes but are also higher in quality.
The Modular Home Advantage
Apex Homes represent both cutting-edge technology and time-tested craftsmanship. SinceApex Homes are designed, engineered and assembled in a carefully controlled environment, there is never a chance of poor weather or late material delivery hindering the construction of your customized living environment.
The Modular Home Construction Process
Apex Homes are models of efficiency and quality assurance. The Apex Homes commitment to excellence begins at the design phase. Our computer-assisted design technology aids us in customizing floor plans and producing specification sheets to your exact requirements. After all designs have been finalized, the building process begins. Apex Homes construction is made possible by state-of-the-art factory assembly line techniques. A new modular home will travel from workstation to workstation, with all building trades represented. Work is never delayed by weather or missing materials. Specialized modular home construction techniques significantly increase the energy efficiency of every modular home we produce.
Modular Construction Means Consistent Quality
Due to carefully controlled building conditions, Apex Homes construction ensures consistent high quality. Housing components are never subjected to inclement weather. Apex Homes construction is never affected by poor subcontractor performance, and every stage of production is carefully monitored. In addition, a thorough quality control process provides 100% assurance that your modular home has been inspected for code compliance and workmanship. (In-house inspectors as well as independent inspection agencies will inspect your modular home on behalf of your state and local government.)
The Industry's Latest Modular Construction Techniques
All Apex Homes are SYSTEM-BUILT and reflect the modular home industry's newest modular construction techniques. By incorporating total modular construction technology into both our design and production, Apex Homes builds custom homes which are of the highest quality and as cost effective as possible. The result of a highly engineered modular construction process, an Apex Home represents an array of structural and economic advantages.
Time to Completion
Speed is one of the many advantages that come with choosing a modular home builder to construct your new home. On average, a modular home builder like Apex Homes can factory-process a house consisting of two modules in six or seven days. Once this process is complete, the modular home builder will then transfer the house to its building site and place it on its foundation. The modular home builder will then turn final completion, which includes utility connection and a short list of finish work, over to a local builder or general contractor. Under normal circumstances, a modular home is completed in six to eight weeks after set.
Ritz Craft
Are Ritz-Craft modular homes energy efficient?
Yes. Ritz-Craft is an ENERGY STAR® partner and committed to using energy efficient building methods and materials. Our homes are built standard with 2” x 6” exterior walls and R-19 insulation, R-30 blown-in ceiling insulation, warm edge thermopane low-e glass windows, and insulated exterior doors. Ritz-Craft also offers an optional florescent lighting package that meets the requirements of ENERGY STAR®.
I hear a lot about "Green" building. Are modulars green?
Green building is a practice of using sustainable materials and designs in new construction. Yes, modular homes are by their very nature green. Assembly in an enclosed indoor enviornment contributes to reduced waste of material at the factory and at the job site, lessens the enviornmental impact on the land and the community where the house is being delivered, and allows for a tighter built structure to maximize energy efficiency - all of which are key components to green building standards. For more information, visit www.nahb.org/greenbuilding.
Can I build a custom plan of my own design?
Computer aided drafting (CAD), allows for precision customization of your floor plan design. However, shipping restrictions and production constraints can affect the design. If you have a plan picked out, we suggest that you submit it for approval or for changes that will enable us to build your home. Ritz-Craft also has a complete portfolio of floor plans, designs and elevations that can be modified. Modifications are normally less expensive than a custom built design. Our goal is to turn your dream home into a reality.
How long does it take to build a modular home?
The time it takes to build your Ritz-Craft home varies by season and Ritz-Craft’s order “backlog”. That being said, one of the advantages of building a modular home is speed of construction. When your builder places your order it will go into Ritz-Craft’s backlog of homes to be built, which typically runs 5 to 10 weeks. While your home is on order the site work on your building lot will be completed. On average a modular home consisting of two modules will take about 6 days to build in the factory. After delivery to the site and setting the home on the foundation, the builder will take about 4 to 8 weeks to finish the home. The builder’s time frame depends on the amount of additional site work, such as garages, porches or decks that are to be built, and the builders backlog of other homes to finish. You can move into your new modular home much quicker than a typical site-built home.
Our Goal
"It is the goal of Five Eagles Design to build customized homes that earn the ENERGY STAR label at an affordable cost."
