FAQs
Your Questions, Answered.
Curious about how Module works? Our Frequently Asked Questions page has all the details you need. From design customization and construction timelines to pricing and sustainability, we’ve compiled answers to help you better understand our process. Explore the FAQ to see how we’re redefining homebuilding with clarity and confidence.
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Weather conditions have an impact on quality. Houses that are built on-site are out in the elements – constantly. Those houses have to brave any snow storm, rain storm, and freezing weather that might come its way for months at a time. Wood and insulation that are exposed to moisture have a good chance of coming down with a bad case of mold.
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Transportation routes: Ensuring modules can be delivered without issues like low bridges or narrow roads.
Crane staging space: Adequate area for crane operation and module lifting, free of obstructions like power lines or trees.
Staging sites: Nearby storage for modules before installation, with easy access for trucks and crews.
Local zoning laws: Confirming modular homes are permitted under the International Residential Code (IRC).
For Developers
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Building in a controlled environment means our homes are more precisely constructed and are 25-40% quicker to build than a traditional home.
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It’s not less expensive, but it is competitive to stick built pricing and modular construction creates time savings leading to indirect cost savings.
Some of those cost savings include:
Less Interest - Completing the project faster means you have fewer monthly payments on your loan.
Opportunity Cost - A faster project frees up your resources so that you can move on to the next opportunity.
Taxes & Subsidies - There are many national, state, and local resources for both modular and energy-efficient new construction.
Waste - A controlled environment means less rework. Materials can be pre-cut and pre-fitted.
Materials - We can purchase materials in bulk since we can store them in the factory.
Labor - Building with Module reduces your on-site scope of work.
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For Single-Family homes, we have designs that support a crawl space or full basement depending on the design and site constraints. We do not place our homes on slabs.
New to Modular?
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Module Build, Module’s construction arm, generally serves as the GC in Pittsburgh, PA. We work with local subs and workforce training programs to complete onsite finish work.
Outside of Pittsburgh, we partner with local GCs and help to train those unfamiliar with offsite construction with our Construction Playbook.
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Pre-Construction: Local permitting and inspections.
Building Envelope & Exterior: Installing siding, gutters, porches, railings, and canopies.
Interior Components: Completing stairs, flooring, and appliances like heating and cooling systems.
Site Work: Utility connections, excavation, and foundation preparation.
Interior Finishes: Painting, drywall repair, and appliance installations.
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Modular construction allows contractors to complete more projects in less time while maintaining high quality. By using off-site manufacturing, contractors avoid weather delays, reduce on-site errors, and gain access to precision-built modules that are quicker to assemble than traditional stick-built homes.
For Contractors
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Module's Design Partners program allows us to collaborate with partner architects across the country.
This program helps architects learn about the Module brand, modular construction, and how it differs from traditional construction.
By expanding beyond Pittsburgh, PA, we aim to bring sustainable, well-designed homes to more families nationwide.
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Reviewing and stamping site plans for local permits.
Completing the entitlement process with local jurisdictions.
Assisting with construction documents.
Coordinating third-party responsibilities.
Performing construction administration.
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Partnering with Module helps architects diversify their customer base by tapping into the growing demand for modular homes. Additionally, architects can contribute to sustainable housing solutions while gaining expertise in modular construction and joining a mission-driven community focused on delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes.
For Designers
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In 2024, Module certified 5 homes as Energy Star, with HERS ratings as low as 38. That’s 70% more energy efficient than a standard new home.
Our homes also meet the U.S. EPA's Indoor airPLUS construction standards, ensuring better indoor air quality with features like:Moisture and mold control
Radon-resistant construction
Pest barriers
Efficient HVAC systems and safe combustion practices
Healthier building materials
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Module follows the requirements of the Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program. The standard, developed by the Department of Energy, builds upon the EnergyStar requirements to ensure an even higher level of performance and provides the opportunity to create a Zero Energy home (a home that produces as much energy as it uses).
• A Certified ZERH estimates an average energy savings of 6,800kWh per year. That’s almost $28,000 over a 30 year period.
• A WaterSense certified home saves 24,000 gallons of water a year (for a family of four) amounting to $180/year in savings. WaterSense upgrades pay for themselves in 3 years.
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We strive to keep operating costs low because utility bills play a significant role in determining the affordability of a home. Over the last few years, we have tailored the Module spec to balance the upfront costs of energy efficient upgrades with long term operating costs.
About Sustainability
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Module homes are designed to balance upfront costs with long-term savings. For example, all-electric designs eliminate the need for natural gas, improving indoor air quality and enabling net-zero energy capabilities. Additionally, features like continuous exterior insulation and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) enhance durability, reduce utility costs, and improve indoor air quality, making sustainable living more affordable.
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We've developed a range of energy-efficient models optimized for infill development and offsite manufacturing.
Our models work with various lot sizes—townhomes, duplexes, detached single-family, and multifamily. Each home is designed to fit the Department of Energy's Zero Energy Ready Home program's standards, which means a more durable, eco-friendly, and overall better-built home than a standard code-built house.
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Nonprofit housing developers as well as for-profit developers are increasingly turning to off-site construction to create affordable housing that meets the needs of their communities.
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In 2020 Module designed and built three housing units on an 8,900 sq. ft. site in the Garfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh PA.
The Three Factors that lead to a faster timeline:
Overlap of On-Site & Off-Site Work At the same time foundations were being built, vertical construction was underway at the manufacturing facility.
Zero Weather Delay Days Above the basements, the Black Street homes were constructed in a protected and climate controlled factory meaning weather was never a concern or a reason for delay.
Inspections in the Factory
Read the full case study.
About Affordablity
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Quicker to Occupancy & Opportunity Cost
Well-coordinated and properly sequenced modular projects save significant time. Faster completion reduces loan interest and other carrying costs like insurance and taxes while projecting investors' returns. And many projects are eligible for tax subsidies.
Reduced Design Fees & Labor
Economies of Scale: Our designers handle a high volume of projects, spreading costs over many clients. Standardized assemblies and floor plans further reduce design time and expenses.
Efficiency in Design: Structural and MEP designers benefit from repetitive project types, leading to additional savings.
Modular construction reduces estimating needs, equipment rentals, and overhead for a General Contractor. To optimize these savings, Module works to define a scope of work matrix for each project and offers partners access to Module's Construction Playbook, a collection of resources, videos, and insights to reduce scope confusion and improve the overall experience.
Less Waste
A controlled environment means less rework.
Materials can be pre-cut and pre-fitted.
We can purchase materials in bulk since we can store them at the factory.
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Transportation
Delivery: Delivery of a 16’ x 40’ box or module within a 200 mile radius is included in Module’s pricing. Regardless, delivery of the module is considered part of the total cost in contrast to stick-built where delivery of materials is baked into the sale of the products. Costs vary based on module width, need for police escorts, and state permits.
Crane Rental
In Pittsburgh, PA, a crane can cost between $10,000 and $40,000 per day. Module helps to ensure efficient planning is in place so that this process can happen safely and swiftly.
Staging Site
Temporary Storage: Leasing space to store modules before installation is usually a nominal expense. This can vary with larger projects with many modules or delays in on-site preparation.
Set Crew
The set crew is responsible for securing the boxes to the foundation and to each other and coordinating with the crane operator throughout the day. Ensuring the set crew has experience with modular homes and understands their scope on set day is crucial.
Insurance Costs
Factories typically carry insurance that covers the modules until they leave the premises, then the transportation company covers them until delivery. After that, builders or developers need additional insurance, typically an add on to a builder's risk policy.
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Yes, modular projects can be financed with a construction loan. This does not mean that ALL banks will finance modular construction. In Module’s experience, we have found that the more forward-looking banks tend to be more open to it and have a willingness to learn the process as the industry grows. It is important to ask potential lenders about their experience with modular. If they easily confuse it with manufactured housing, that may be a red flag.
There may be a need for educational resources if the bank is unfamiliar with modular. Ideally, a lender who has done modular before can be sourced.
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Different Draw Schedule
Site-built: Builders generate monthly invoices reimbursed by the bank.
Modular: Factories generate invoices with 2-3 large progress payments. Typically, a 10-20% deposit is required for ordering modules and 80-90% payment upon delivery to the staging site.
Collateral Considerations
Most banks do not view modules as collateral until they are affixed to the foundation, delaying fund release until after installation.
Contract holders must be prepared to finance the module purchase until installation.
Lender Flexibility
Lenders must approve a changed draw schedule for module purchases.
Smaller local banks tend to be more flexible in adjusting their processes compared to larger national banks.
Larger banks with modular construction experience may already have established processes.
Factory Deposits
Factories typically require a 10-20% deposit to reserve a manufacturing spot, with no further payment until module delivery.
Cost & Financing
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Modular homes must adhere to the same zoning laws as site-built homes. Since they are constructed to meet the International Residential Code, most cities permit modular homes within their jurisdiction. However, it's important to research and confirm what is permissible in your zoning area early in the planning process.
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Unlike manufactured housing, there is no nationally accepted separate code for offsite construction. Instead, builds must adhere to the traditional International Residential Code (IRC), with each state having its own additional rules and regulations.
A key difference is that state inspections are conducted for all work completed by the factory, in addition to the required city inspections.
The specific inspections that occur at the factory (state) versus on-site (city or county) depend on the regulations of the state, county, and city where the project is located. The factory usually manages the state permitting process, ensuring compliance with state code requirements.
Navigating the permitting process for modular homes can be complex due to varying state and local regulations. The ICC NTA jurisdictions map offers insights into the specific requirements for each state.
And the Building Energy Codes Program (BECP) tracks energy codes at the state level and provides state specific energy code resources, such as fact sheets, cost-effectiveness analyses, compliance reports, and primary contact information. View the interactive map on their website.
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the main difference is that the framing, envelope, rough plumbing, and rough electrical inspections are all done in the factory.
And that factories must submit a Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Manual to third-party agencies to achieve certification as manufacturers. A Quality Control (QC) manager oversees adherence to the QA/QC manual by conducting regular quality checks and inspections along the factory line. This process ensures a streamlined and efficient manufacturing workflow, maintaining high standards of quality throughout production.