Top Tips: How to Build Prefab Houses on a Budget

Posted: Feb 21, 2013
Author: 1st Choice Home Centers

A big part of the American dream is home ownership, and with the advent of prefab houses and the advancement in their building technology, that dream is becoming a reality for more families every day.  You may think prefab houses are out of your reach, but if you know what you’re getting into and plan on a bit of budgeting, you can definitely make it happen.

Start by figuring out exactly what you want out of your prefab house, making sure to consider the design costs, permits, site preparation and whether or not you’ll need to clear the property of trees.  Determine your location’s availability of municipal services like sewage and electrical, and talk with local county officials to find out if you need any additional permits for your new property.

Prefab houses, while cheaper than conventional property options, need to be budgeted out in full. It’s smart to plan a limit of about 10% less than what you can afford in order to leave room for unexpected expenses.  Prefabs provide a more predictable budgeting than alternatives, since they’re typically already designed and ready to go – all you need to do is choose the finishing touches.

One other thing - when buying prefab houses, don’t forget to consider additional expenses, such as taxes, delivery and on-site assembly.  A reputable company that specializes in prefab houses can help you with research into the building costs in your area, will travel to the site with you to make sure it’s suitable and will also provide you with a solid baseline cost for the prefab you’re interested in.