Really Cheap Home Kits are practical, affordable, sturdy, and can be modified to be as comfy and as livable as regular-sized homes. But building a kit home takes more than just picking a kit home off a catalog. You need to consider a few factors if you want to minimize mistakes when building a kit home. Read on to know what these are.
3 Tips for Choosing and Building Really Cheap Home Kits
Preferred Size
Look at what your preferred size for a home kit is. How many bedrooms do you want, do you prefer an open floor plan or one with built-in room dividers, are you looking for a two-story or a bungalow? All these depend on the size of your family, the purpose of the home, and how spacious you want the interiors to be.
Manufacturer track record
Make sure your contractor is reliable and has a good track record in building kit homes. Home kits require more than just sturdy construction and quality materials. You also need to be able to work well with your builder, especially if you plan on having a certain degree of involvement during the building process. Look for owner builder-friendly providers. They often specialize in providing home kits for owner builders and can provide different levels of assistance depending on how involved the owners are, from a simple consultation to handling specific aspects of the build that the owner-builder does not have the skills nor the equipment to handle. The best providers provide comprehensive inclusion plans, consultations, and even tech support from start to finish.
Steel vs. Timber
When picking a kit home, you may be choosing between steel and timber frames. Steel frames are more sturdy and rigid and they don’t easily warp or buckle. Timber frames are more malleable, easily sourced, and can be built faster than steel frames. Because they are easier to source, timber frames also cost less than steel frames. Steel frames are recyclable, offer good sealing for doors and window frames which can make a difference in heating and cooling, are stronger, and tend to last longer. They are also termite-proof. However, steel frames are more expensive, take more time to build, and may not be ideal for coastal environments.
These are just three of the many factors you need to consider carefully when choosing kit homes. Make sure that the kit home meets your needs so you can build the home that is worth your money.