| "> | | | | - All the framing and lumber for the home |
| The benefit of a packaged home is to simplify the | | | | - All the windows and doors, moldings, and finishing |
| home building process. Buying a packaged home is a | | | | trim |
| bit like buying something with "Assembly Required" | | | | - Siding and roofing materials |
| stamped boldly on the box. | | | | - Kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and counter |
| You've probably purchased a bicycle or some toy | | | | tops |
| where this was required. Did you assemble it yourself | | | | - Often tubs, sinks, toilets and related fixtures |
| or did you pay someone to do it? Does the | | | | What is Generally NOT Included in Packaged Homes |
| "assembly required" warning excite you or cause an | | | | The foundation for the home is not included. The |
| allergic reaction? Whether you're an accomplished | | | | drywall isn't either. Unless you're hanging your own |
| do-it-yourselfer or a natural-born administrator, the | | | | drywall (a very arduous job), your subcontractors will |
| labor required to build a packaged home outstrips | | | | provide the materials with their bid on the job. The |
| that puny bicycle job by, say, ten thousand times! | | | | same goes for your plumbers and electricians. For this |
| So Just What is a Packaged Home? | | | | reason these items are usually excluded from the |
| There's really nothing sneaky or confusing about the | | | | package. |
| term. A packaged home is a real home (not | | | | There are more exclusions. Most of the items below |
| manufactured or mobile) that comes to your building | | | | are things you'd want to shop for to make your own |
| site requiring assembly. | | | | personal selections. These are the items that make a |
| It can go by many other names as well. Sometimes | | | | home yours: |
| it's called a Kit Home. It can be referred to as a | | | | - Floor coverings like carpet, linoleum and hardwood |
| panelized kit, pre fab or prefabricated home, or even | | | | - Household appliances |
| a modular home with the most common being Kit | | | | - Unique shelving, ledges, niches |
| Home and Prefab Home. Ninety nine percent of the | | | | - Light fixtures, ceiling fans, switches |
| time, they become real, site-built/stick-built homes. | | | | - Paints, stains, various other finishing materials, |
| This is in contrast to manufactured (mobile) homes | | | | window treatments and decorative items |
| that are wheeled in and set in place. | | | | Who Buys These Packaged Homes? |
| Log homes and cedar homes are also packaged | | | | Since they qualify as genuine, stick-built or site-built |
| homes in most cases. It should be noted that it may | | | | homes, anyone that wants to build a real home can |
| be more difficult to get a loan to build a log home. | | | | go this route. The typical buyer is someone who |
| This varies by location and lender but you may find a | | | | really wants to be their own builder and streamline |
| higher down-payment requirement. | | | | the whole process. People using a General Contractor |
| What's Included in a Home Package? | | | | to build for them, would often not be advised to go |
| The materials that are included in these homes vary | | | | the packaged home route. |
| significantly. Often you can negotiate with the | | | | If you're a strong do-it-yourselfer and "assembly |
| supplying company concerning what items you want | | | | required" doesn't make you sneeze, take a good look |
| to include or exclude as well as ask for upgrades. | | | | at them. But, always seek the support and advice of |
| This is what you can expect to be included in most | | | | a good home building coach. Happy researching! |
| cases (log homes may be an exception to the rule): | | | | |