Excel Homes, a modular builder of custom and stock designs, came to Hanley Wood last week to discuss new delivery and green programs, as well as cover why conventional stick-frame builders should consider modular construction.
Modular home building is especially relevant during this downturn in housing, says Steve Scharnhorst, president and CEO of the company. Excel homes are built in a controlled factory environment using advanced framing techniques, which means less waste, material costs, and opportunity for damage, such as from weather, he says, and modular homes also are built quicker than traditional houses. Materials savings also comes from the bulk product purchases Excel is able to make versus a small custom builder. This adds up to 10% to 30% less total cost than a stick-built residence, he says.
Taking these factors into account, builders can “do more with less dollars,” Scharnhorst says. Instead of building 10 stick homes, they can produce 20 modular homes, he explains.
The company also recently announced it can now handle the set process of delivering its modular homes. This entails delivering the home modules and setting them on the foundation. Builders who choose to use this option will get a 10-year warranty against structural defects.
Green builders can take advantage of Excel’s green home options. The company offers Energy Star-qualified homes, and will launch other green options in the future that meet NAHB and ICC green standards.
In Excel’s Energy Star program, an energy rater will meet with builders to review bueprints and make changes to ensure compliance. The home also will undergo inspection at the manufacturing site and on-site testing for the final product to ensure buildings meet Energy Star qualifications.
In addition to the designs featured on Excel’s site, the company’s new Drawing Board blog showcases some of the more innovative ideas it’s working on or trying out and welcomes reader feedback to help determine which options will move forward.–Victoria Markovitz
